牛津通识读本：生物化学 Biochemistry: A Very Short Introduction

基本信息

Series:Very Short Introductions

Format:Paperback / softback 160 pages, 23 black and white images

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Imprint:Oxford University Press

ISBN:9780198833871

Published:27 May 2021

Weight:144g

Dimensions:113 x 173 x 12 (mm)

信息仅供参考，具体以实物为准

书籍简介

非常简短的介绍： 精彩、犀利、鼓舞人心

从简单的细菌到人类，所有生物都由这样或那样的细胞组成，所有细胞都具有基本相同的化学性质。这种化学性质必须提供细胞与外部世界互动的机制、为细胞提供动力的手段、在细胞内执行各种过程的机器、万物运行的结构，以及通过环环相扣的化学反应网络进行管理。生物化学就是研究这些反应，研究这些反应所产生、操纵和破坏的分子，以及构成这些生化反应的化学机制和结构的大量大分子（如 DNA、细胞骨架、蛋白质和碳水化合物）。

对生命化学的理解很快就转化成了操纵生命化学的愿望。药物和疗法都旨在改变生化过程，以达到好的或坏的效果： 青霉素源自霉菌，能阻止细菌制造细胞壁。源自柳树皮的阿司匹林可以抑制参与炎症反应的酶。几毫克的肉毒杆菌毒素（botox）可以阻止神经末梢释放神经递质，从而导致瘫痪和死亡，或者让人的前额不再有皱纹（如果用药量极少）。这本《牛津通识读本：生物化学》讨论了生物化学的关键概念，以及该领域的历史人物和他们研究的分子，然后介绍了该领域的当前科学和创新，以及生物化学、生物技术和合成生物学之间的相互作用。

关于该系列： 牛津大学出版社的《牛津通识读本》（Very Short Introductions）系列包含几乎所有学科领域的数百种书籍。这些袖珍书籍是快速了解新学科的途径。我们的专家作者将事实、分析、观点、新思路和热情融为一体，使有趣而又具有挑战性的主题具有很强的可读性。

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

From the simplest bacteria to humans, all living things are composed of cells of one type or another, all of which have fundamentally the same chemistry. This chemistry must provide mechanisms that allow cells to interact with the external world, a means to power the cell, machinery to carry out varied processes within the cell, a structure within which everything runs, and also governance through a web of interlocking chemical reactions. Biochemistry is the study of those reactions, the molecules that are created, manipulated, and destroyed as a result of them, and the massive macromolecules (such as DNA, cytoskeletons, proteins and carbohydrates) that form the chemical machinery and structures on which these biochemical reactions take place.

It didn't take long for an understanding of the chemistry of life to turn into a desire to manipulate it. Drugs and therapies all aim to modify biochemical processes for good or ill: Penicillin, derived from mould, stops bacteria making their cell walls. Aspirin, with its origins in willow bark, inhibits enzymes involved in inflammatory responses. A few nanograms of botulinum toxin (botox), can kill by preventing the release of neurotransmitters from the ends of nerves and so leads to paralysis and death, or give a wrinkle free forehead (if administered in very tiny quantities).This Very Short Introduction discusses the key concepts of biochemistry, as well as the historical figures in the field and the molecules they studied, before considering the current science and innovations in the field, and the interaction between biochemistry, biotechnology, and synthetic biology.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

作者简介

马克-洛奇（Mark Lorch）是赫尔大学化学与生物化学系主任，同时也是科学传播与公众参与教授。他以前的著作包括《闪光： 光与色彩的科学》（A Flash of Light）（2016 年，与 A. Miah 合编）；《超级英雄的秘密科学》（2017 年，与 A. Miah 合编），该书获得 2017 年物理学会年度图书提名

Mark Lorch is Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Hull, as well as being Professor of Science Communication and Public Engagement. His previous publications include A Flash of Light: The science of light and colour, (2016, edited, with A. Miah); and The Secret Science of Superheroes, (2017, edited, with A. Miah), which was nominated for Institute of Physics book of the year 2017