Contents: Preface. 1. Biochemistry and medicine. 2. Water and pH. 3. Amino acids and peptides. 4. Proteins: determination of primary structure. 5. Proteins: higher orders of structure. 6. Proteins: myoglobin and hemoglobin. 7. Enzymes: mechanism of action. 8. Enzymes: kinetics. 9. Enzymes: regulation of activities. 10. Bioenergetics: the role of ATP. 11. Biologic oxidation. 12. The respiratory chain and oxidative phosphothylation. 13. Carbohydrates of physiologic significance. 14. Lipids of physiologic significance. 15. Overview of metabolism. Bibliography. Index.

Biochemistry deals with the chemistry of life, and as such it draws on the techniques of analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as those of physiologists concerned with the molecular basis of vital processes. All chemical changes within the organism—either the degradation of substances, generally to gain necessary energy, or the buildup of complex molecules necessary for life processes—are collectively termed metabolism. These chemical changes depend on the action of organic catalysts known as enzymes, and enzymes, in turn, depend for their existence on the genetic apparatus of the cell. It is not surprising therefore, that biochemistry enters into the investigation of chemical changes in disease, drug action, and other aspects of medicine, as well as in nutrition, genetics, and agriculture. This comprehensive textbook thoroughly explains basic biochemical concepts while offering a unified presentation of life and its variation through evolution. Researchers in biochemistry use specific techniques native to biochemistry, but increasingly combine these with technique and ideas developed in the fields of genetics, molecular biology and biophysics. (jacket)