The Biological Chemistry of the Elements

Description

Twenty inorganic elements, mostly metal ions, are consistently found in living systems and are essential for living systems to function correctly. The aim of this text is to discuss, describe, and explain the functional relevance of those elements: the reasons for their selection; the processes of their uptake, transport and final localization in cells; the regulation of these processes; and the interactive network of their reactions that connects the in vivo inorganic elements to the environment and to the genome.
The first seven chapters describe the physical, chemical, and biological principles of the involvement of the elements in cellular activity, stressing how inorganic and organic chemicals react differently together in different compartments. The next twelve chapters describe the uses of the individual essential inorganic elements and a section on the genetic control of each element is included. The final chapter discusses how the interaction of genes, proteins, small molecules, and inorganic elements plays an important role in evolution and the speciation of organisms.
The second edition of 'The Biological Chemistry of The Elements' has been thoroughly revised in content and style. The main additions to the first edition concern the discussion of the links to the genome of the uptake and transfer of inorganic elements and the regulation of homeostasis, the functional co-operative activities of the elements, the interaction with the environment, and the evolution of usage. Recent structural and mechanistic knowledge of many biomolecules and organelles are also included.
Like the higly praised first edition, this text will be the bible of bioinorganic chemistry.

About the Author

J. J. R. Frausto da Silva, Professor of Analytical Chemistry, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidad Tecnicia de Lisboa.

R. J. P. Williams, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Oxford.

Table of contents

The chemical and physical factors controlling the elements of life

1: The chemical elements in biology
2: The principles of the uptake and chemical speciation of the elements in biology
3: Physical separations of elements: compartments and zones in biology
4: Kinetic considerations of chemical reactions, catalysis, and control
5: Energy in biological systems and hydrogen biochemistry
6: The role of biological macromolecules and polymers
7: The functional value of the chemical elements in biological systems

The roles of individual elements in biology

8: Sodium, potassium, and chlorine: osmotic control, electrolytic equilibria, and currents
9: The biological chemistry of magnesium: phosphate metabolism
10: Calcium: controls and triggers
11: Zinc: Lewis acid catalysis and regulation
12: Non-haem iron: redox reactions and controls
13: Haen iron: coupled redox reactions
14: Manganese: dioxygen evolution and glycosylation
15: Copper: extracytoplasmic oxidases and matrix formation
16: Nickel and cobalt: remnants of early life
17: Molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, and chromium
18: Phosphate, silica, and chloride: acid-base non-metals
19: Sulphur, selenium, and the halogens: redox non-metals
20: Integrated living systems of elements