This text is intended for an introductory course in bio metabolism concludes with photosynthesis. The last sec chemistry. While such a course draws students from vari tion of the book, Part IV, TRANSFER OF GENETIC INFOR ous curricula, all students are presumed to have had at MATION, also opens with an introductory chapter and then least general chemistry and one semester of organic chem explores the expression of genetic information. Replica istry. tion, transcription, and translation are covered in this or My main goal in writing this book was to provide stu der. To allow for varying student backgrounds and for pos sible needed refreshers, a number of topics are included as dents with a basic body of biochemical knowledge and a thorough exposition of fundamental biochemical con four appendixes. These cover acid-base calculations, principles of cepts, including full definitions of key terms. My aim has of organic chemistry, tools biochemistry, and been to present this material in a reasonably balanced oxidation-reduction reactions. form by neither deluging central topics with excessive de Each chapter includes a summary, a list of selected tail nor slighting secondary topics by extreme brevity. readings, and a comprehensive study section that consists Every author of an introductory text struggles with of three types of review questions and a large number of the problem of what to include in the coverage. My guide problems.
