Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level, 3rd Edition

by Donald Voet (Univ. of Pennsylvania); Judith G. Voet (Swarthmore College); Charlotte W. Pratt (Seattle Pacific University )

• ISBN13: 9780470129302
• ISBN10: 0470129301
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Voet, Voet, and Pratt's Fundamentals of Biochemistry, challenges students to better understand the chemistry behind the biological structure and reactions occurring in living systems. The Third Edition continues this tradition, and additionally incorporates coverage of recent research and an expanded focus on preparing and supporting students throughout the course. With the addition of new conceptual assessment content to WileyPLUS, students have the opportunity to assess their conceptual understanding of key introductory biochemistry concepts and retrain themselves on their misconceptions.

Author Biography

Donald Voet received a B.S. in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University with William Lipscomb, and did postdoctoral research in the Biology Department at MIT with Alexander Rich. Upon completion of his postdoctoral research, Don took up a faculty position in the Chemistry Department at the University of Pennsylvania where, for the past 38 years, he has taught a variety of Biochemistry courses as well as general Chemistry. His major area of research is the X-ray crystallography of molecules of biological interest. He has been a visiting scholar at Oxford University, The University of California at San Diego, and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Together with Judith G. Voet, he is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. He is a member of the Education Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His hobbies include backpacking, scuba diving, skiing, travel, photography, and writing Biochemistry textbooks.

Judith ("Judy") Voet received her B.S. in Chemistry from Antioch College and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Brandeis University with Robert H. Abeles. She has done postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania, Haverford College, and the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Her main area of research involves enzyme reaction mechanisms and inhibition. She taught Biochemistry at the University of Delaware before moving to Swarthmore College. She taught there for 26 years, reaching the position of James H. Hammons Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry before going on "permanent sabbatical leave." She has been a visiting scholar at Oxford University, University of California, San Diego, University of Pennsylvania, and the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. She is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. She has been a member of the Education and Professional Development Committee of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as well as the Education Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her hobbies include hiking, backpacking, scuba diving, and tap dancing.

Charlotte Pratt received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Notre Dame and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Duke University under the direction of Salvatore Pizzo. Although she originally intended to be a marine biologist, she discovered that Biochemistry offered the most compelling answers to many questions about biological structure-function relationships and the molecular basis for human health and disease. She conducted postdoctoral researching the Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has taught at the University of Washington and currently teaches at Seattle Pacific University. In addition to working as an editor of several Biochemistry textbooks, she has co-authored Essential Biochemistry and previous editions of Fundamentals of Biochemistry.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Introduction to the Chemistry of Life

The Origin of Life

Biological Molecules Arose from Inorganic Materials

Complex Self-replicating Systems Evolved from Simple Molecules

Cellular Architecture

Cells Evolved to Carry Out Metabolic Reactions

There Are Two Types of Cells: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Molecular Data Reveal Three Evolutionary Domains of Organisms

Organisms Continue to Evolve

Thermodynamics

The First Law of Thermodynamics States that Energy Is Conserved

The Second Law of Thermodynamics States that Entropy Tends to Increase

The Free Energy Change Determines the Spontaneity of a Process

Free Energy Changes Can Be Calculated from Equilibrium Concentrations

Life Obeys the Laws of Thermodynamics

Box 1-1 Pathways of Discovery

Lynn Margulis and the Theory of Endosymbiosis

Box 1-2 Perspectives in Biochemistry

Biochemical Conventions

Water

Physical Properties of Water

Water Is a Polar Molecule

Hydrophilic Substances Dissolve in Water

The Hydrophobic Effect Causes Nonpolar Substances to Aggregate in Water

Water Moves by Osmosis and Solutes Move by Diffusion

Chemical Properties of Water

Water Ionizes to Form H + and OH a??

Acids and Bases Alter the pH

Buffers Resist Changes in pH

Box 2-1 Biochemistry in Health and Disease

The Blood Buffering System

Biomolecules

Nucleotides, Nucleic Acids, and Genetic Information

Nucleotides

Introduction to Nucleic Acid Structure

Nucleic Acids Are Polymers of Nucleotides

The DNA Forms a Double Helix

RNA Is a Single-Stranded Nucleic Acid

Overview of Nucleic Acid Function

DNA Carries Genetic Information

Genes Direct Protein Synthesis

Nucleic Acid Sequencing

Restriction Endonucleases Cleave DNA at Specific Sequences

Electrophoresis Separates Nucleic Acids According to Size

DNA Is Sequenced by the Chain-Terminator Method A#1

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