integrated
overview of the subject. Retaining its highly readable style, it will
serve as an introduction to the study of energy transformation in the
life sciences and particularly as an accessible means for biology,
biochemistry and bioengineering undergraduate students to acquaint
themselves with the physical dimension of their subject. The emphasis
throughout the text is on understanding basic concepts and developing
problem-solving skills. The mathematical difficulty increases gradually
by chapter, but no calculus is required. Topics covered include energy
and its transformation, the First Law of Thermodynamics, Gibbs free
energy, statistical thermodynamics, binding equilibria and reaction
kinetics. Each chapter comprises numerous illustrative examples taken
from different areas of biochemistry, as well as a broad range of
exercises and references for further study. '… An outstanding supplement to the treatment offered in most textbooks of biochemistry… very rewarding for students majoring in biochemistry, biophysics, or biotechnology. " Prof. Frank Vella, Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan.
'… A very readable and informed introduction to energy
transformation at several levels of biological organization:
molecules, cells, and multicellular organisms… a good
introduction to the new field of biological thermodynamics
and represents an important contribution to the literature.'
Dr. Demetrius Lloyd, Department of Organismic and
Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, USA and Max Planck
Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin.