Essential Biochemistry [Hardcover]

Charlotte W. Pratt (Author), Kathleen Cornely (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471393878 | ISBN-13: 978-0471393870 | Publication Date: December 2, 2003 | Edition: 04

This new biochemistry text features a modern, chemical approach, always explaining the underlying chemistry of key biochemical molecules and reactions while taking advantage of recent developments. Features a true thematic and modern approach with a strong emphasis on research.
* Retains core topics of biochemistry, using real examples of chemical reactions and molecular structures.
* Emphasis on depth of coverage, rather than breadth.
* Integrated media provides review of difficult concepts, molecular structure tutorials, and interactive animations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The text is well written and easy to read. Without sacrificing accuracy and going into too much detail, the authors skillfully present traditional as well as up-to-date information on structure-function relationships of biomolecules. The sample problems are well placed and reinforce basic concepts. Also, the problems at the end of chapters are relevant, original, and thought provoking without being excessive. Students will find the book readable, informative, and enjoyable.” – Paul Azari, Colorado State University

“I found the text exceptionally clear and readable. It does an excellent job of explaining difficult biochemical principles and integrating concepts and systems in a way that will be easily understood and appreciated by students.” – Chrsitine Hrycyna, Purdue University

“My students will like the book because it is easy to read, has clear learning objectives, an interactive CD, and a website where they can go for self-quizzing on key concepts. The authors have thought of everything to make learning biochemistry fun and easy.” – Lisa Wen, Western Illinois University

From the Back Cover

Essential Biochemistry by Charlotte Pratt and Kathleen Cornely is a compact and comprehensive survey of contemporary biochemistry developed with student success in mind. Designed primarily for the one-term introductory course in biochemistry, this new text takes a modern and selective approach to this vast and fast moving field of science. The text is deliberately concise and focused on key ideas and topics. Numerous example problems in the text and rich end-of-chapter problem sets underscore the authors’ dedication to Problem Based Learning. In addition, state-of-the-art new media on both the enclosed CD and book website bring biomolecular structures to life for students and round out a powerful new learning package for any student taking a first course in biochemistry.

From the Pre-publication Reviews:

“The text is well written and easy to read. Without sacrificing accuracy and going into too much detail, the authors skillfully present traditional as well as up-to-date information on structure-function relationships of biomolecules. The sample problems are well placed and reinforce basic concepts. Also, the problems at the end of chapters are relevant, original, and thought provoking without being excessive. Students will find the book readable, informative, and enjoyable.” – Paul Azari, Colorado State University

“I found the text exceptionally clear and readable. It does an excellent job of explaining difficult biochemical principles and integrating concepts and systems in a way that will be easily understood and appreciated by students.” – Chrsitine Hrycyna, Purdue University

“My students will like the book because it is easy to read, has clear learning objectives, an interactive CD, and a website where they can go for self-quizzing on key concepts. The authors have thought of everything to make learning biochemistry fun and easy.” – Lisa Wen, Western Illinois University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 784 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 04 edition (December 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471393878
• ISBN-13: 978-0471393870
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Biochemistry

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, one-semester course in biochemistry, May 13, 2009

By 

ninjasuperstar (Iowa) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essential Biochemistry (Hardcover)

This book is not intended as a detailed account of biochemistry, rather it is meant to be used in its entirety as a semester-length, overview of biochemistry. Further, I would argue that the text is geared towards pre-medical and pre-physician assistant students, because a lot of interesting topics such as sulfur metabolism are not covered. Unlike larger tomes introducing a student to biology or organic chemistry, Essential Biochemistry sacrifices depth for the information a college instructor actually has time to teach in fifteen weeks. Even so, this slimmer volume has perhaps too many details, but it is much more focused than books two or three times its size.

As a point of criticism, I question the need for the first few chapters of the book. You should know basic chemistry and biology before you take a course in biochemistry. But these obligatory chapters stating the obvious seem to be a staple of all introductory science texts.

The text is well-written and pleasant to read. There are some interesting figures and charts, but the most helpful are the detailed diagrams for specific biochemical pathways (the citric acid cycle, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, etc). Scattered through the text are "boxes," commentaries and information that provide "a closer look" at a specific topic or area of historical and current research. I liked reading these boxes because they offered a break in tone from the rest of the text. Finally, the book comes with an accompanying CD. I did not make time to use the CD, and so I cannot offer a review.

Table of Contents

Part I: Molecular Structure and Function

1. The Chemical Basis of Life
2. Aqueous Chemistry
3. From Genes to Proteins
4. Myoglobin and Hemoglobin: A Study of Protein Structure and Function
5. Cytoskeletal and Motor Proteins
6. Chymotrypsin: A Model Enzyme
7. Enzyme Kinetics and Inhibition
8. Biological Membranes

Part II: Metabolic Reactions

9. Overview of Mammalian Metabolism and Free Energy
10. Glucose Metabolism
11. The Citric Acid Cycle
12. Oxidative Phosphorylation
13. Photosynthesis
14. Lipid Metabolism
15. Nitrogen Metabolism
16. Regulation of Mammalian Fuel Metabolism

Part III: Management of Genetic Information

17. DNA Replication
18. Cancer and DNA Repair
19. Transcription and RNA
20. Protein Synthesis

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes Biochemistry readable, May 28, 2009

By 

N. Denis "YesWeCan" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essential Biochemistry (Hardcover)

Unlike most Biochemistry books, this one is readable. It also has full solutions for every problem at the end of the chapter (not just odd or even soluton sets from your typical science text book). i'm taking this class as MCAT review and it is helping me remember a lot of the orgo and gen chem II stuff.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good supplement book, September 11, 2010

By 

MK Quincy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Biochemistry (Hardcover)

I find this textbook to be a good supplement to the one I use for class (Lehniger).
It provides clear & simple understanding of the subject matter.