Foundations Of Chemical Biology

This series of short texts provides accessible accounts of a range of essential topics in chemistry and chemical engineering. Written with the needs of the student in mind, the Oxford Chemistry Primers offer just the right level of detail for undergraduate study, and will be invaluable as a source of material commonly presented in lecture courses yet not adequately covered in existing texts. All the basic principles and facts in a particular area are presented in a clear and straightforward style, to produce concise yet comprehensive accounts of topics covered in both core and specialist courses. Chemical Biology is a subject born out of a desire to understand the molecular basis of life. This bock introduces the fundamental chemistry of the molecules that are essential to all cells. The molecules covered include amino acids and sugar phosphate derivatives, and the macromolecules derived from them (proteins and nucleic acids respectively), and the phospholipids and their derivatives that form the basis of biological membranes. Important concepts concerning the intrinsic chemistry of these molecules are presented, providing the fundamental ideas relating to the chemistry of life that can be applied to more advanced aspects of chemical biology.