Pain-Free Biochemistry : An Essential Guide for the Health Sciences

by Paul Engel (University College Dublin, Ireland )

• ISBN13: 9780470722961
• ISBN10: 0470722967
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2010-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

"It's not every day that one picks up a textbook that can claim to occupy a unique niche, given the multitude of scientific textbooks that are vying for a medical readership. However, with the recent publication of 'Pain-Free Biochemistry: An Essential Guide for the Health Sciences', which is specifically aimed at students of medicine and nursing, one could be left wondering just why nobody thought of this sooner." -Irish Medical Times, September 14, 2010If you are an undergraduate nursing or healthcare student about to embark on a short course in biochemistry and feel daunted by the prospect because you've done very little chemistry in the past, found it difficult or studied it so long ago you've forgotten it all, then this is the book for you. Equally, if clinical practice has brought you back to biochemistry just when you were hoping you could forget it all, this could be your lifeline!Having taught biochemistry to all sorts of students, from nurses to chemical engineers, for more than 30 years, Professor Paul Engel knows how to take the 'pain' out of your studies. For those who are a bit wobbly on molecules, bonds, ions, etc. this text also has just enough supporting chemistry slipped in where appropriate to help things make sense. Accessible, enjoyable to read and packed with a wealth of clinical examples from heart disease to cancer and blood clotting to antibiotics, this handy textbook will reveal how biochemistry is fundamental to clinical practice and everyday life. Drugs, diet, disease, DNA - it all comes down to biochemistry.Key Features: Easy to digest: 'Bite sized' topics lead you through essential biochemistry without going into intimidating detail. Doesn't assume you've studied chemistry before: Focuses on key concepts and provides all the basic chemistry you might need. Colour coded: Specially designed so you can see, at a glance, which chapters focus on underpinning chemistry, which on basic biochemistry and which on clinical applications. Clinically relevant:Topical examples throughout the text show how getting to grips with biochemistry will help you succeed in healthcare practice. Reinforces your learning: Includes numerous self-test questions with answers throughout. Companion website includes: A complete set of figures from within the book. Extended MCQs with answers and further explanation where relevant.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

A biochemical hierarchy: from the cell to its Human

Essential Topics In Biochemistry, Physiology and Biology

Energy: in the body, tissues and biochemical processes

Enzymes: their properties, regulation and physiology

Transport into the body: the gastrointestinal tract, digestion and absorption

Transport: into the cell

Essential Metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism

Fat metabolism

Amino acid and protein metabolism

Oxidation of fuels and ATP generation

Metabolism of Ammonia: degradation of nucleotides the ornithine cycle

Synthesis of fats, fatty messengers and cholesterol

Hormones: chemical communication

Essential Processes of Life

Physical activity: in non-athletes, athletes and patients

Acid/Base balance in normal and pathological states

Mental activity and mental illness

Nutrition

Starvation

Mechanisms of defence: barriers, enzymes and the immune system

Trauma

Sexual reproduction

Common Clinical Problems and Diseases

Growth of cells and the skeleton

Atherosclerosis, hypertension and myocardial infarction

Cancer

Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

Obesity and adipose tissue

Lipoprotein metabolism and dyslipoproteinaemias

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.