Biology of the Skin and Hair Growth

This book is a collection of review papers presented at a meeting held at Squaw Valley, California in the summer of 1964. Most of them are concerned with methods of chemical physics as applied to biological problems. The exception is an excellent article on molecular genetics by F. Gros, entitled "The Cell Machinery." It does not include, however, the recent work on the genetic code by Khorana. There are two papers on molecular orbital theory by the Pullmans. One of these is entitled "Electronic Structure of Nucleic Acids." However, B. Pullman remarks at the end that solid state physics will have to be applied to nucleic acids. Several papers on magnetic resonance, both ESR and NQR, are included. The most promising technique is the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance to determine electronic structure. The importance of the study of exitons in molecular crystals is reviewed by H. M. McConnell. This is another application of magnetic resonance spectra to the study of biopolymers. J. 0. Hirschfelder's chapter on intermolecular forces is excellent and ends on a very important note. Professor Hirschfelder points out that solvation effects on intermolecular forces are not understood and that the work of Sinanoglu on the forces between bases in DNA totally disregards the polar nature of the aqueous solvent. The study of biological specificity is reviewed by G. Weber who comments on the binding of small ligand molecules to a protein. It is shown how cooperative efforts can arise. Finally, a discussion of information theory by J. S. Griffith leads to an anlaysis of the nature of memory in the brain. This reviewer believes the book will flll a gap between chemical physics and molecular biophysics that is badly needed. It is highly recommended. PHILIP ROSEN