Comparative Biochemistry: A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume II: Free Energy and Biological Function focuses on methodologies, processes, and mechanisms involved in the biological transformations of energy.
Composed of contributions of various authors, the book first discusses free energy and the biosynthesis of phosphates. The thermodynamics of phosphoryl and phosphate transfer reactions; enzymatic synthesis of phosphates; and phosphoryl transfer sequences in metabolism are considered. The selection also looks at the utilization of free energy in the biosynthesis of saccharides, proteins, and peptides; ammonia metabolism; and biosynthesis of urea. The book also describes muscular contraction. The structure of myofibril; protein components of myofibril; localization of myofibrillar components; contraction of adenosine triphosphate; and adenosine triphosphatases of muscles are discussed. Other mechanisms that produce movements are also noted. The text ends with discussions on experiments on active transport, balance of electrocytes and water, mechanisms of osmoregulation, bioluminescence, and nerve conduction and electrical discharge.
The book is a good source of data for readers interested in studying free energy.

Contributors to Volume IIRefaceContents of Volumes I, III, And IV1. Free Energy and the Biosynthesis of Phosphates I. Introduction II. Thermodynamics of Phosphoryl and Phosphate Transfer Reactions III. Enzymatic Synthesis of Phosphates IV. Phosphoryl Transfer Sequences in Metabolism List of Abbreviations References2. Utilization of Free Energy for the Biosynthesis of Saccharides I. Introduction II. The Synthesis of Monosaccharides III. The Formation of Glycosidic Bonds References3. Comparative Biochemistry of Free Energy Utilization for the Biosynthesis of Peptides and Proteins I. Introduction II. Energy Coupling in the Synthesis of Small Peptides III. Energy Coupling in Protein Biosynthesis References4. Ammonia Metabolism and Urea Biosynthesis I. Introductory Remarks II. Thermodynamic Data and Conventions III. Structure and Properties of Ammonia IV. Formation of Ammonia V. Inorganic Nitrogen Metabolism VI. Systems Utilizing Ammonia VII. Biosynthesis of Urea VIII. Summary Remarks Addendum References5. Muscular Contraction I. Introduction II. Structure of a Myofibril III. Relation of Myofibril to Other Intracellular Components IV. Protein Components of the Myofibril V. Localization of Myofibrillar Components VI. Adenosine Triphosphatases of Muscle VII. Contraction and Adenosine Triphosphate VIII. Relaxation IX. Mechanisms of Contraction X. Conclusions References Addendum6. Other Mechanisms Producing Movements I. The Isolation of Motile Structures II. ATP-Driven Single Movements III. Movements Which are Inhibited or Made Reversible by ATP IV. The Rhythmical Movements of Flagella and Cilia V. Summary References7. Active Transport I. Definition II. Experimental Characterization III. Proposed Mechanisms IV. Types of Active Transport V. Energy Sources VI. Specific Inhibition and Stimulation VII. Quantitative Relation to Metabolism VIII. Relation to Bioelectric Potentials References8. Balance of Water, Electrolytes, and Nonelectrolytes I. Introduction II. Balance in the Whole Organism III. The Distribution of Diffusible Molecules within the Organism IV. Balance in Plants References9. The Mechanisms of Osmoregulation I. Introduction II. The Occurrence of Anisosmotic States in Animals III. The Mechanisms of Osmoregulation IV. Osmoregulation in Cells and Tissues V. Some General Conclusions References10. Nerve Conduction and Electrical Discharge I. Introduction II. Ionic Basis of Bioelectric Potentials III. Nature of the Permeability Change IV. The Permeability Change V. Energy Requirements VI. Adaptations VII. Conclusions References11. Bioluminescence I. Distribution of Luminescence in the Living World II. Essential Chemistry of Light Production III. Fundamental Differences in Plants and Animals IV. Well-Known Luminescent Systems V. Other Luminescent Systems VI. Evolution of Bioluminescence ReferencesAuthor IndexSubject Index