Principles And Problems In Physical Chemistry For Biochemists

Very good

This book is very good. It is written for undergraduate biochemists (and is basically the first year physical chemistry course given to Oxford Biochemists).It covers the three key areas of physical chemistry: Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Atomic and Molecular Structure. It generally sticks to pure chemistry, but includes lots of biochemical examples. Some chapters are specifically about biochemical matters (e.g. macromolecule structure and bonding, enzyme kinetics, biochemical pathways).Features / advantages:1) Clear and simple writing style with plenty of easy to understand figures2) Worked examples, separated from the main text which really provide insight into how the equations discussed in the text are used3) Problem questions with fully worked answers4) Sections summarising chapters, listing key pointsThe mathematical demads are minimal. Anyone with AS or A-level maths will find the maths in this book easy. Only very basic calculus is required.I should note that this book does NOT discuss biophysical techniques (like X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy or mass spectroscopy or uses of UV and IR radiation to probe macromolecules). This is not a failure of this book, it is simply not what this book is about (though some people seem to expect to find these sorts of topics in this kind of book).The text clearly separates introductory topics with more complicated sections. For example, there is a chapter on single-step kinetics, which introduces some kinetic concepts, but then we move on to multi-step reactions and multisubstrate enzyme kinetics (more challenging sections). I find other books jump in to these more complicated areas without giving a firm grounding in the basics, but this book does not do that.I was taught by Wormald and Ratcliffe, the authors of this edition, and both are fine teachers. The book is also an excellent teaching resource with clear writing, as well as questions with fully worked answers. Great for self-teaching as well as for helping with lectures on these topics.This book is written for undergrad biochemists, and really is the clearest way that the physical chemistry needed for biochemists has been presented anywhere. A must for all biochemists.

This is an excellent text that successfully expands physical chemistry concepts in a biological framework. Thus, it serves as an excellent bridge that helps contextualise the often dry descriptions found in chemistry texts such as Atkins. It is well written and the diagrams integrate nicely with the text. This text clarified certain aspects of thermodynamics and quantum mechanics that I had difficulty understanding since the first year. The practice problems are fine for grasping the concepts discussed, but limited number means I only give this book four stars. However, this text is heartily recommended for any biologists or biochemists wanting to learn more about physical chemistry.

I use this book for my Physical Biochemistry module on my Pharmacy course in uni. It is a very good book and was delivered very quickly.