Gestation

Of the seven chapters, the three written by the editor are the most original and challenging. "Protein Biology" describes some of the characteristics of enzymes as proteins, discusses the role of enzymes in the structure and function of living matter, and touches on biological relativity. The final two chapters by Martin are a rather delightful if eclectic mixture of technical examples and philosophical musings, the one entitled "Polymerases in Biology" being especially provocative. The intervening chapters deal with more specific features of enzymes having some current clinical applications. One section describes the physical characteristics and general methods of isolating and defining trypsin, chymotrypsin, ribonuclease, cholinesterase, and hyaluronidase, ending with a review of enzyme kinetics. While the chapter devoted to the biochemistry of enzymes is quite thorough and informative, the following one dealing with their parenteral administration is rather tedious, uncritical, and inconclusive. Similarly, the section "Diagnostic Use of Enzymes" is clinically naive (..... elevated serum amylase levels are pathognomonic of acute pancreatic disorder"), a bit outdated (only brief mention of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in a cardiac-oriented fashion), and incomplete (no comment about hypophosphatasemia). As a whole, this book is quite erratic in style, probably a result of the many contributors, and alternates between plodding tabulations of clinical trials and ethereal speculations about enzymes and Life in General. Its chief function will be to serve as background reading for students and physicians; much of it is too theoretical for technicians, the rest is too simple for biochemists.