Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 1969

the analyses of kinetic patterns, and the physical-chemical theories of enzyme action are discussed in the first section. The second section is devoted to a detailed kinetic analysis of two substrate reactions under steady state conditions. The methods by which experimental variations of pH and temperature may be coupled with other types of kinetic analyses to yield information on the mechanism is considered in the third division. The final section is devoted to a brief discussion of the kinetic behavior of enzymes and enzyme systems under simulated "physiological" conditions. Throughout the book the author presents the material in an objective and critical manner; he repeatedly emphasizes the principles and assumptions that underlie the derivations of kinetic equations. In addition to giving a particularly clear presentation of the more common kinetic formulations, the author points out a number of pitfalls which have not been carefully considered in the past. For example, Westley shows the ambiguous kinetic patterns obtained when catalytic rates are measured in the presence of foreign material that can bind the substrate. The author has also effectively argued the potential of some of the less commonly used techniques in the elucidation of reaction mechanism; he sites, for example, the usefulness of substrate analogues in determining the direction of electronic displacement in an enzymic reaction. Although chapters dealing with advanced material are not very detailed, the central principles are invariably well presented. The cyclic diagrams used to represent various complex formations did not seem to be as clear as the more usual linear representations. Also it would seem to me the use of double-headed arrows (e.g. EA ---> EB) should be avoided because of their prior use to represent resonance structures in a chemical sense. Finally, on page 121, line 30 presumably should read ". . . wuithout affecting Km (ascorbate)." While this book was intended as an "aid to graduate students," its applicability should be much wider. The author has not only convincingly shown the fruitfulness of kinetic analysis of enzymic reactions, but also has consistently made the analyses comprehensible.