During the past few decades we have witnessed an era of remarkable growth in the field of molecular biology. In 1950 very little was known ofthe chemical constitution of biological systems, the manner in which information was transmitted from one organism to another, or the extent to which the chemical basis oflife is unified. The picture today is dramatically different. We have an almost bewildering variety of information detailing many different aspects of life at the molecular level. These great advances have brought with them some breathtaking insights into the molecular mechanisms used by nature for replicating, distributing, and modifying biological information. We have learned a great deal about the chemical and physical nature of the macromo lecular nucleic acids and proteins, and the manner in which carbohydrates, lipids, and smaller molecules work together to provide the molecular setting ofliving systems. It might be said that these few decades have replaced a near vacuum of information with a very large surplus. It is in the context ofthis flood of information that this series of monographs on molecular biology has been organized. The idea is to bring together in one place, between the covers of one book, a concise assessment of the state of the subject in a well-defined field. This will enable the reader to get a sense of historical perspective-what is known about the field today-and a descrip tion of the frontiers of research where our knowledge is increasing steadily."

This small book is a simplified, abbreviated, and updated version of the author's Free Energy Transduction in Biology, published in 1977 (Academic Press, New York). The present book is meant to be a textbook for a class or for self-study. The first chapter gives a self-contained and elementary discussion of the principles of free energy transduction in biology. Section 5 includes new material on the Onsager coefficients Lij (for systems near equilibrium) not avail able in 1977. Some readers may wish to study the first chapter only. The second chapteris a little more sophisticated, and deals with the so-called diagram method for calculating steady-state probabili ties and cycle fluxes. Although these concepts are useful in the analysis of free energy transduction systems, they have an intrinsic importance and interest. Section 8 summarizes quite recent new results not included in the 1977 book. The third chapter is again a step more sophisticated. Some readers may wish to omit it. Free energy levels of the states in a kinetic diagram are introduced. This topic is primarily of conceptual inter est for ordinary kinetic diagrams but it is essential in understanding muscle contraction (and related systems) at the molecular level. Contents Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 1 Survey of the Elements of Free Energy Transduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 1 1. States, Diagrams, Cycles, and Free Energy Transduction ...................... 2 2. Thermodynamic Forces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . 3. Operational, Cycle, and Transition Fluxes. . . . . 20 4. Efficiency and the Rate of Free Energy Dissipation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 . . . . . ."

Part I deals with principles of quantum statistical mechanics. Part II examines systems composed of independent molecules or of other independent subsystems. Part III considers systems of interacting molecules and Part IV covers quantum statistics and includes sections on Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics, photon gas and free-volume theories of quantum liquids. Includes problems.

This three-part treatment translates the technical language of research monographs on the theory of free energy transfer in biology, making the subject more accessible to those entering the field. Designed for upper-level classes in biochemistry or biophysics, it can also be used for independent study. 36 figures. 1989 edition.