Fraústo da Silva J.J.R., Williams R.J.P. The Biological Chemistry of the Elements: The Inorganic Chemistry of Life

2^nd Edition. – Oxford University Press, UK, 2001. – 574 p. – ISBN10: 0198508484Twenty inorganic elements, mostly metal ions, are consistently found in living systems and are essential for living systems to function correctly. The aim of this text is to discuss, describe, and explain the functional relevance of those elements: the reasons for their selection; the processes of their uptake, transport and final localization in cells; the regulation of these processes; and the interactive network of their reactions that connects the in vivo inorganic elements to the environment and to the genome.
The first seven chapters describe the physical, chemical, and biological principles of the involvement of the elements in cellular activity, stressing how inorganic and organic chemicals react differently together in different compartments. The next twelve chapters describe the uses of the individual essential inorganic elements and a section on the genetic control of each element is included. The final chapter discusses how the interaction of genes, proteins, small molecules, and inorganic elements plays an important role in evolution and the speciation of organisms.
The second edition of 'The Biological Chemistry of The Elements' has been thoroughly revised in content and style. The main additions to the first edition concern the discussion of the links to the genome of the uptake and transfer of inorganic elements and the regulation of homeostasis, the functional co-operative activities of the elements, the interaction with the environment, and the evolution of usage. Recent structural and mechanistic knowledge of many biomolecules and organelles are also included.The chemical and physical factors controlling the elements of life
The chemical elements in biology
The principles of the uptake and chemical speciation of the elements in biology
Physical separations of elements: compartments and zones in biology
Kinetic considerations of chemical reactions, catalysis, and control
Energy in biological systems and hydrogen biochemistry
The functional value of the chemical elements in biological systems
The role of biological macromolecules and polymers
Proteins and nucleic acids
Polysaccharides and lipids
The roles of individual elements in biology
Sodium, potassium, and chlorine: osmotic control, electrolytic equilibria, and currents
The biological chemistry of magnesium: phosphate metabolism
Calcium: controls and triggers
Zinc: Lewis acid catalysis and regulation
Non-haem iron: redox reactions and controls
Haem iron: coupled redox reactions
Manganese: dioxygen evolution and glycosylation
Copper: extracytoplasmic oxidases and matrix formation
Nickel and cobalt: remnants of early life?
Molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten
Phosphate, silica, and chloride: acid-base non-metals
Sulphur, selenium, and halogens: redox non-metals
Biological shape and the integration of element functions
Biological minerals and biological shapes
An integrated view: the elements in homeostasis, morphogenesis, and evolution
Man's use of the chemical elements in biological environments