149
Bioquimica Humana (Curso Basico)
b y J M M a c a r u l l a a n d F M Gofii. p p 516. E d i t o r i a l
R e v e r t e , B a r c e l o n a , Spain. 1984. £9.50
ISBN 84-291-5549-X
This basic course in Human Biochemistry (in Spanish) starts
from very first principles of the relevant chemistry and goes on to
give an up-to-date and very readable account of modern
biochemistry. The first principles mentioned include not only
such things as information on the elements, properties of water,
pH, diffusion, electrolytes and so on, but also a very basic
description of the laboratory apparatus and how to use it (eg how
to read the meniscus in a pipette or burette). Indeed one double-
page spread gives diagrams and names of all the apparatus,
including test tubes: however modern automatic pipettes are not
mentioned. As would be expected in a book on human
biochemistry, most chapters have something on the clinical
aspects. Photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation are mentioned,
albeit briefly.
The book is very attractively produced, with imaginative
diagrams and extensive use of a second colour. Digressions are
Modelo de formacidn de un quelato
placed in separate boxes (Complementos) and there are worked
examples (Aplicaciones), definitions and revision sections
(Revision) and, at the end of each chapter 'Cuestiones y
Problemas' to which fairly extensive answers are given in an
Appendix at the back of the book. Keywords are picked out in
the text in italic or boldface type. Inevitably some of these
'devices' are borrowed from other modern textbooks with
appropriate modifications: but this is not to detract from their
educational usefulness! There are also simple practical ex-
periments at the end of some chapters, although I felt that many
of these might be thought to be a little old fashioned and not very
exciting (eg determination of compounds in blood and urine).
Incidentally, I do not think the use of benzidine (p 196) should
be recommended.
The text is divided into five major sections: Concepts and
General Techniques, Molecular Structures of Biomolecules,
Catalysis and Metabolism, Transmission of the Genetic In-
formation, and finally Molecular Physiology. This last chapter is
rather physiological (eg nutrition, digestion and absorption of
food, blood, including haemoglobin and bioelectric
phenomena), but is no doubt intended for and will appeal to
medical students.
In the section on oxidative metabolism the approach is to deal
with glycolysis, fatty acid and amino acid breakdown, and to
postpone the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation until
the next chapter. The treatment of energy relationships, ATP
and the electron transport chain is fairly brief, but adequate. In
keeping with the modern trend much more detail is given in the
Genetic Information section which is extensive although perhaps
a little short on gene regulation in eukaryotes. But overall !
thought the balance was reasonable.
There are extensive forward and backward cross-references
(given in the margin), and as well as a reasonably comprehensive
index, there is an index of diseases and clinical symptoms.
Another feature of the text is the use, where appropriate of the
system of abbreviations for chemical structures devised by
Professor Macarulla (see Biochemical Education, 1985, 13, 79).
BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION 13(3) 1985
So, it is a pleasure to welcome an up to date and imaginatively
conceived textbook written in the Spanish Language rather than
a straight translation of one of the popular American texts.
G Medina
Readings in Tumor Virology
E d i t e d by H V a r m u s a n d A J L e v i n e . p p 903. C o l d Spring
H a r b o r L a b o r a t o r y . 1983. $39.50 ISBN 0-87969-157-3
This book consists of a collection of reprinted papers chosen by
the editors to represent key references in the development of the
burgeoning field of tumour virology. Although one may be
surprised by the inclusion of some papers and the omission of
others, the editors have brought together a comprehensive group
of papers on replication of, and transformation by retroviruses,
herpesviruses, adenoviruses, papovaviruses and hepatitis B
viruses. Succinct and useful introductions to groups of papers are
provided, although these introductions cannot substitute for
longer treatments to be found in standard textbooks on tumour
virology. The book could be especially appropriate in teaching
advanced topics in biochemistry or molecular biology where
library facilities are restricted. G E Blair
Current Communications in Molecular Biology. En-
hancers and Eukaryotic Gene Expression
E d i t e d by Y G l u z m a n a n d T S h e n k , p p 218. C o l d Spring
H a r b o r L a b o r a t o r y . 1983. $27 ISBN 0-87969-161-1
Enhancers are D N A sequences, originally detected in D N A
tumour viruses, but now found to exist also in many cellular
genes, which dramatically augment the transcription of a diverse
series of genes independently of relative position and orien-
tation. This volume represents a constructive development in
publishing, containing contributions presented at a specialist
meeting in rather longer form than a conventional abstract, with
one or two figures in illustration of the data presented by each
contributor. A useful introductory essay is provided as well as an
appendix of map positions of enhancers in various genomes.
G E Blair
Centrifugation: A Practical Approach
E d i t e d by D. R i c k w o o d . p p 352. I R L Press, O x f o r d , 1984.
£10 ISBN 0-904147-55-X
This manual provides extensive experimental details of how to
perform all sorts of centrifugal separations, revised and extended
since the first edition. On the whole the instruction and diagrams
are both helpful and clear, although in the case of analytical
ultracentrifugation, I thought that one would have been better
off with Chervenka, which isn't in the reference list. The
chapters deal with Theory and Practices of Centrifugation,
Choice of Condition for Density Gradient Centrifugation,
Methods for Characterizing Macromolecules and their Inter-
actions, Measurement of Sedimentation Coefficients, Isolation
of Subcellular Organelles and Membranes, Separation of Mam-
malian Cells, Zonal and Analytical. As usual in this series, there
is a very useful set of Appendices.
Cell Cycle Clocks
E d i t e d by L N E d m u n d s . p p 632. M a r c e l D e k k e r , N e w
Y o r k . 1984. S F R 277 ISBN 0-8247-7060-7
A multi-author text that provides details, including previously
unpublished material, in the field of biological rhythms and cell
cycle control. Obviously of interest to biochemists as well as cell
biologists. Useful for preparing lectures, but the price precludes
all but library purchase.