Pain-Free Biochemistry

Book excerpt: "It’s not every day that one picks up a textbook that can claim to occupy a unique niche, given the multitude of scientific textbooks that are vying for a medical readership. However, with the recent publication of 'Pain-Free Biochemistry: An Essential Guide for the Health Sciences', which is specifically aimed at students of medicine and nursing, one could be left wondering just why nobody thought of this sooner.” –Irish Medical Times, September 14, 2010 If you are an undergraduate nursing or healthcare student about to embark on a short course in biochemistry and feel daunted by the prospect because you’ve done very little chemistry in the past, found it difficult or studied it so long ago you’ve forgotten it all, then this is the book for you. Equally, if clinical practice has brought you back to biochemistry just when you were hoping you could forget it all, this could be your lifeline! Having taught biochemistry to all sorts of students, from nurses to chemical engineers, for more than 30 years, Professor Paul Engel knows how to take the ‘pain’ out of your studies. For those who are a bit wobbly on molecules, bonds, ions, etc. this text also has just enough supporting chemistry slipped in where appropriate to help things make sense. Accessible, enjoyable to read and packed with a wealth of clinical examples from heart disease to cancer and blood clotting to antibiotics, this handy textbook will reveal how biochemistry is fundamental to clinical practice and everyday life. Drugs, diet, disease, DNA – it all comes down to biochemistry. Key Features: Easy to digest: ‘Bite sized’ topics lead you through essential biochemistry without going into intimidating detail. Doesn’t assume you’ve studied chemistry before: Focuses on key concepts and provides all the basic chemistry you might need. Colour coded: Specially designed so you can see, at a glance, which chapters focus on underpinning chemistry, which on basic biochemistry and which on clinical applications. Clinically relevant:Topical examples throughout the text show how getting to grips with biochemistry will help you succeed in healthcare practice. Reinforces your learning: Includes numerous self-test questions with answers throughout. Companion website includes: A complete set of figures from within the book. Extended MCQs with answers and further explanation where relevant.