Bioenergetics: The Molecular Basis of Biological Energy Transformations

by Albert L. Lehninger

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805361030
• ISBN13: 9780805361032
• Release Date: January 1971
• Publisher: Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.

Customer Reviews

How ATP is made

Great book covering glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

The thermodynamic characteristics of biochemical reactions

This little book explains what was known when it was written (1971) about how energy can be stored in molecules like glucose and adenosine triphosphate (ATP, the universal energy carrying molecule in living cells) and released again later to power those processes in the cell that require energy input in order to proceed. The author was one of the leaders in research in understanding the thermodynamics of biochemical reactions. Its major topics include: - Overall energy flow, from sun to plants to animals and to final dissipation as heat. - Thermodynamics and the nature of "free energy". - ATP. The explanation of what exactly is a "high energy phosphate bond" and why energy is released when it is hydrolyzed is the clearest I have seen in my limited reading. - Photosynthesis. - Biosynthesis, the synthesis of sugars, proteins, lipids and other biological molecules from simpler precursors. - Active transport, the "pumping" of ions and molecules against chemical or electrical gradients. - Physical motion, especially in muscles. So long as it is read as a supplement to more contemporary accounts, I think this is still an interesting book and still worth reading. I especially liked it for its clear focus on the issue of energy transfer and its clear presentation of the meaning of "free energy". Lehninger was one of the "stars" of biochemistry and, even where his exposition is now seriously out of date, it is always interesting to follow the thinking of a fine and educated mind working on a hard and interesting problem. Of course much has been learned that Lehninger couldn't have known in 1971. There are places where he says "it is not known how ...", or "several alternative theories have been postulated for ...", but now in 2007, we do have definitive explanations for those unknowns. So _Bioenergetics_ is no longer a cutting edge book and can no longer be read in the hope of getting an up-to-date understanding of the biochemical issues involved. Although the book is old, from my inexpert point of view, it appears that there were no serious errors in it. The author only says something is true if the evidence supporting it was strong. Where something was not well known, the author was very clear about saying so and, where speculation was indulged in, it was also clear that he was speculating. You won't learn the latest results in molecular biology from it, but I think it can be read without fear of absorbing false theories. Some background in organic chemistry is desirable in order to understand the book. A very basic introductory course is sufficient. Without that the book can still be read and enjoyed, but it will be hard reading. I give this book 5 1971 stars. It wouldn't be fair to rate it in terms of 2007 science, but I think if you've read this far in my review you'll get the idea of its value.

This review will look like some popular book review for kids

First book I found on the subject. I even didn't know Bioenergetics per se before I found this book. Gosh, I just can not believe how much I learned from this book. It has given the definitive base for my concepion of the Universe. It is as readable and enjoyable as a novel or any kind of literature. I think it has influenced me more as a human being than as a Chemistry student. As also an Anthropology student, I found this book impactating. Well, I'll say it again, I just can not believe how much I have learned from this book.