The study of the chemistry of living processes has traditionally centred on the behaviour of organic compounds in water - together they account for 99 percent of the matter in living systems. However, about 20 "inorganic" elements are also regarded essential for life, and they are found in similar amounts in most living systems. The authors' objective in this book is to examine and exlain the importance of these elements by "bringing inorganic chemistry to life". The authors commence with a survey of the chemical and physical factors controlling the elements of life; the essential functions of individual inorganic elements are then described. A final section consolidates a major theme of the book - the co-operative interaction of elements in living systems. Chapters here examine the relationships between chemical activity and morphology and the effect that changes in the availability of elements have on life - not only in providing evolutionary pressures but also in the context of the use of medicines and the spread of pollutants.
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ISBN-13
978-0-19-855598-8 (9780198555988)
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Schweitzer Klassifikation
Part 1 The chemical and physical factors controlling the elements of life: the chemical elements in biology; the principles of the chemical uptake and speciation of the elements in biology; physical separation of the elements - compartments and zones in biology; kinetic considerations of element reactions; energy in biological systems and hydrogen biochemistry; the functional value of the chemical elements in biological systems. Part 2 The roles of individual elements in biology: the role of biological macromolecules and polymers; sodium and potassium - osmotic control, electrolyte equilibria and currents; magnesium - primary metabolism and polynucleotide structures; calcium - controls and triggers; zinc - Lewis acid catalysis and regulation; non-haem iron redox reactions and controls; haem iron - coupled redox reactions; manganese; copper - extracellular redox reactions and matrix formation; nickel and cobalt - primitive hydrogen and organmetallic biochemistry; molybdenum and vanadium - nitrogen fixation and extracellular oxygen transfer; phosphorus and silicon - condensation reactions of non-metals; redox non-metals - sulphur, selenium and halogens. Part 3 The co-operative interaction of elements in living systems: biomineralization and shape; homeostasis and morphogenesis; man's interference in element distribution - medicines and pollutants.
