The Chemistry of Life

by Steven Rose

Looking at biochemistry, this book discusses its methods and finds, including theories which approach the origins of life on earth and techniques which help to explain viruses and create pharmacological cures.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biology, Biography, Medicine, Popular Science, Chemistry

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Steven Peter Russell Rose was an English neuroscientist, author and social commentator. He was an emeritus professor of biology and neurobiology at the Open University and Gresham College, London.

Reviews

[Timo Wiedmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing and strangely entertaining account of biochemistry of a time when it was still a fairly young science. Many concepts that were taught to me “as they are long known”, were just discovered back then, and it was cool to read tiny experimental details, like the usage of tissue slices in the study of how the cell breathes. And it was great to read about early guesses from experiments, that were later proved correct and precised. For example, the sodium-potassium pump, not called that at the time, is suspected as transporting “roughly 2-3 ions of sodium (just sodium) per molecule of ATP”.

Recommend to anyone who knows nothing or something or many things about biochemistry.

[Regina Cattus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful overview of biochemistry, but a little dry and dull in places.

[Christopher Tortolano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book very clearly touches on everything an undergraduate biochemist/chemist will study on the subject of biochemistry. I will say that I am a graduate chemist, and I learnt everything in this book by my final year. Someone doing a biochemistry degree will probably learn much more than this book can offer. I would suggest this book to any undergrad of chemistry and to probably first year students of biochemistry.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a postgraduate Biochemist I still look at this book with fondness. For those who are doing a Biochemistry degree, it will probably be a bit too simple for you, but I would still recommend it.I read it when I was doing my A levels and I thought it was a good introduction to the basics of what Biochemistry is, I would think that A level students and first year Undergraduates would get the most out of this book.

[Janette Townend · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fantastic text book written and fully updated and revised by the Biochemist Steven Rose. It was fascinating to see how far we have come with our understanding of DNA and protein synthesis, cell regulation and immunology. Unfortunately it was a very hard read for me as I only have a rudimentary high school understanding of Bio chemistry but I was determined to read this book through. A great book for students of Biochemistry and those with a strong interest.

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book during the summer after Year 11 as an introduction to A-Level chemistry. Even though there were some complicated concepts, I got a lot away from this book and I appreciated Rose’s writing style and his clear devotion to biochemistry. Would recommend!

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive. Would be good to have an updated version.

[Colin or Lettuce Real Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Rupinder · Rating 2 out of 5]

An accessible primer on the fundamental concepts of biochemistry. As a biochemist, most of the book was pretty familiar to me, and since this is a bit dated book, it didn’t go into newer topics like proteomics, genomics, bioinformatics, etc. However, this book can be very useful for somebody who is weary of biochemistry tomes, but is intrigued by the fascinating chemistry of our cells.

[Richard Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent survey of biochemistry for a popular audience.