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

Rating:
Summary: Still Valuable After All These Years
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Still Valuable After All These Years
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Beginning Biochemical Calculations
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Wretched...
Review: 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.