This inter-disciplinary guide to the thermodynamics of living organisms has been thoroughly revised and updated to provide a uniquely integrated overview of the subject. Retaining its highly readable style, it will serve as an introduction to the study of energy transformation in the life sciences and particularly as an accessible means for biology, biochemistry and bioengineering undergraduate students to acquaint themselves with the physical dimension of their subject. The emphasis throughout the text is on understanding basic concepts and developing problem-solving skills. The mathematical difficulty increases gradually by chapter, but no calculus is required. Topics covered include energy and its transformation, the First Law of Thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy, statistical thermodynamics, binding equilibria and reaction kinetics. Each chapter comprises numerous illustrative examples taken from different areas of biochemistry, as well as a broad range of exercises and references for further study.

'In my opinion, the author has covered a traditionally 'boring field' with vivid description and interesting examples. My overall impression is that this book is comprehensive, illustrative and up-to-date … and I would certainly recommend it to my students.'

Yigong Shi - Princeton University

'… an outstanding supplement to the treatment offered in most textbooks of biochemistry …very rewarding for students majoring in biochemistry, biophysics, or biotechnology.'

Frank Vella - University of Saskatchewan

‘… a very readable and informed introduction to energy transformation at several levels of biological organization: molecules, cells, and multicellular organisms … a good introduction to the new field of biological thermodynamics and represents an important contribution to the literature.’

Lloyd Demetrius - Harvard University and Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin