Page 10 - Color Atlas of Biochemistry
P. 10
Chemistry 1
Introduction
This paperback atlas is intended for students Thenextpartpresentsthe reactions
of medicine and the biological sciences. It involved in the interconversion of these
provides an introduction to biochemistry, compounds—the part of biochemistry that is
but with its modular structure it can also be commonly referred to as metabolism
used as a reference book for more detailed (pp. 88–195). The section starts with a dis-
information. The 216 color plates provide cussion of the enzymes and coenzymes, and
knowledge in the field of biochemistry, ac- discusses the mechanisms of metabolic regu-
companiedbydetailedinformation in the lation and the so-called energy metabolism.
text on the facing page. The degree of dif - After this, the central metabolic pathways
culty of the subject-matter is indicated by are presented, once again arranged according
symbols in the text: to the class of metabolite (pp.150–195).
The second half of the book begins with a
stands for “basic biochemical knowledge”
discussion of the functional compartments
indicates “standard biochemical knowl-
within the cell, the cellular organelles (pp.
edge”
means “specialist biochemical knowledge.” 196–235). This is followed on pp. 236–265
by the current field of molecular genetics
Some general rules used in the structure of (molecular biology). A further extensive sec-
the illustrations are summed up in two ex- tion is devoted to the biochemistry of
planatory plates inside the front and back individual tissues and organs (pp. 266–359).
covers. Keywords, definitions, explanations Here, it has only been possible to focus on the
of unfamiliar concepts and chemical formulas most important organs and organ systems—
can be found using the index. The book starts thedigestive system,blood,liver,kidneys,
with a few basics in biochemistry (pp. 2–33). muscles, connective and supportive tissues,
There is a brief explanation of the concepts and the brain.
and principles of chemistry (pp. 2–15). These Other topics include the biochemistry of
include the periodic table of the elements, nutrition (pp. 360–369), the structure and
chemical bonds, the general rules governing function of important hormones (pp.
molecular structure, and the structures of im- 370–393), and growth and development
portant classes of compounds. Several basic (pp. 394–405).
concepts of physical chemistry are also essen- The paperback atlas concludes with a series
tial for an understanding of biochemical of schematic metabolic “charts” (pp.
processes. Pages 16–33 therefore discuss the 407–419). These plates, which are not accom-
various forms of energy and their intercon- panied by explanatory text apart from a brief
version, reaction kinetics and catalysis, the introduction on p. 406, show simplified ver-
properties of water, acids and bases, and re- sions of the most important synthetic and
dox processes. degradative pathways. The charts are mainly
These basic concepts are followed by a sec- intended for reference, but they can also be
tion on the structure of the important biomo- used to review previously learned material.
lecules(pp. 34–87).Thispartof the book is The enzymes catalyzing the various reactions
arranged according to the different classes of are only indicated by their EC numbers. Their
metabolites. It discusses carbohydrates, lipids, names can be found in the systematically ar-
amino acids, peptides and proteins, nucleoti- ranged and annotated enzyme list (pp.
des, and nucleic acids. 420–430).
Koolman, Color Atlas of Biochemistry, 2nd edition © 2005 Thieme
All rights reserved. Usage subject to terms and conditions of license.
