Customer Reviews

Biochemical Calculations: How to Solve Mathematical Problems in General Biochemistry, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(8)
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I have taught Biochemistry and Enzymology at the undergraduate and graduate level for over 20 years, and have recommended this book every year, to every student. Although the field of biochemistry has changed greatly during this time period, certain fundamental concepts have not changed at all, and remain central to a true understanding of how to do biochemistry. These include acid/base chemistry, energetics, enzyme kinetics, spectrophotometry, and isotopes. Of these, the first three gnerally give beginning (and even some advanced)students the most difficulty. In "Biochemical Calculations" Dr. Segel provides excellent explanations of the most important aspects of these topics. He provides example problems, with the answers worked out in detail, and then at the end of each chapter he provides numerous practice problems (along with the answer). I know of no other source of such a variety of practice problems covering these topics. Any student who expends the effort to work through these problems will certainly gain the confidence to tackle the common quantitative problems associated with biochemistry. Clearly this is not intended to be a biochemistry textbook, but rather a supplemental resource, to be used to more fully understand the topics covered in the early chapters of all current biochemistry texts.

As a biochemistry teacher, I find that a large number of our students are defficient in their quantitative skills. This is because many of them are biology majors, who do not have the best math background. This relatively inexpensive volume bridges the math gap for these students. It also provides the teacher with tools that increase his efficiency in dealing with the problem, without taking too much time away from the materials in the course syllabus. Although it is an older book, there is no modern replacement for what it does.

This is an essential book for anyone looking to practice biochemical problems -- if only for the reason that books with as many practice problems are hard to find. If you're a true biochemist and love the subject ad will continue on with graduate work or careers in biochemistry, this may be the book for you. For everyone else... probably not. This book is very minimalist. No frills. It has an answer key to the practice problems but lacks any explainations to the answer. Reviews of the material covered in the book are scant at best and very technical. Few examples from real biochemical situations in living organisms are used. It does nothing to make you interested in the subject. The book also uses units such as normality (N) and Calories (C) rather than molarity (M) and Joules (J), the more modern and internationally accepted units of biochemical equations. I have also encountered typos and mistakes in the book in my studies. The only reason why this book is still published is that there are few other books available that offer so many practice problems. If you're looking for practice on any possible biochemical calculation, buy this book. When you're done with it, compost it. Or get $2 back by selling it to the local college bookstore. Biochemical Calculations wouldn't be so bad if a new edition would be written. Biology is a rapidly changing science, and a book that is now going on 25 years old can't compete with the newer and more reader friendly texts.

This book is definitely the best to read for anyone who deals with buffers biological systems protein purifications and so on. It reveals a lot of details so important for a practical chemist to know. The information inside of this book will definitely help you to save your time and money. It will in a very good and understandable way explain the most intricate questions. It can possibly change your vision of numerous key processes. One of the best advantages is that there is very little "water " in this book - you won't have to read 100 pages to get to the main idea. Really recommend to the chemistry majors.

The book was delivered on time. It has been very helpful to practice those real life biochemical questions in the book. Our professor recommended it and I personally found it useful as well.

Book arrived on-time and has been useful for my class. I used it several times right away to help with homework problems.

I am biochemist, a grad student. Initially I tried to use book from library, but I found myself refering this book very often. So finally I had to buy this book. I bought used book. It was not like new but in a good condition- means no problem in reading, some pages were folded, some markings like that. But the book is awesome.

I received this book for the class. It helpful book for understanding and use typically rules for solve biochemical problems.

Sirve para estudiar durante la carrera y para determinadas consultas profesionales.

La matemática es sencilla, no va mas allá de integrar funcines simples.

Segel's book is a concise and very clear discussion of the most important mathematical concepts needed for biochemistry. Each Topic is discussed briefly, and step by step example problems are presented. Practice problems end each chapter and require a thorough understanding of the topic covered. An excellent tutorial presented in an extremely clear manner.