Chemistry for the Biosciences leads students through the essential concepts that are central to understanding biological systems, using everyday examples and analogies to build their confidence in an often daunting subject. Placing an emphasis on clear explanations, it fosters understanding as opposed to rote learning and, by focusing on the key themes that unify the subject, shows how integral chemistry is to the biosciences. With scientific research placing more emphasis on the interface of chemistry and biology than ever before, few can argue the importance to the biology student of mastering the essential chemical concepts that underpin the subject.
Chemistry for the Biosciences is the ideal teaching and learning resource to ensure today's biology students grasp these concepts, and appreciate their importance throughout the subject. The Online Resource Centre features illustrations from the book available to download to facilitate lecture preparation and a test bank of multiple choice questions for students.
1. Introduction: why bother with chemistry?; 2. Atoms: the foundations of life; 3. Compounds and Chemical Bonding: bringing atoms together; 4. Molecular Forces: holding it all together; 5. Organic Compounds 1: the framework of life; 6. Organic Compounds 2: adding function to the framework of life; 7. Biological Macromolecules: providing life's infrastructure; 8. Molecular Shape and Structure 1: from atoms to small molecules; 9. Molecular Shape and Structure 2: the shape of large molecules; 10. Chemical Analysis 1: how do we know what is there?; 11. Chemical Analysis 2: how do we know how much is there?; 12. Isomerism: generating chemical variety; 13. Chemical Reactions: bringing molecules to life; 14. Energy: what makes reactions go?; 15. Kinetics: what affects the speed of reactions?; 16. Equilibria: in which direction do reactions go?; 17. The Aqueous Environment: the medium of life
This text is what it says - essential chemical concepts for students studying the biosciences. The inclusion of chapters on instrumental analytical techniques and organic reactions and mechanisms puts this book way ahead of others currently on offer for this area. Anyone involved in teaching a foundation chemistry course, especially for students with a limited chemical background, would do well to consider adopting this as a core text. Linda Morris in Education in Chemistry, March 2007 The authors have packed a remarkable amount of chemistry into this book and yet succeed in not making it intimidating. Undergraduates struggling with chemical concepts, postgraduates who missed out on detailed chemistry courses and staff despairing of the lack of chemical literacy of their students might well find that this book helps solve their problems. David J Timson, Queen's University, Belfast in The Biochemist