Comparative Biochemistry: A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume I: Sources of Free Energy focuses on the desire to provide a sound, critical, and provocative summary of knowledge in comparative biochemistry, including thermodynamics, biological systems, oxidation, visual systems, and aerobic and anaerobic reactions of inorganic substances.
The selection first offers information on the introduction to comparative biochemistry and thermodynamics of living systems. Discussions focus on comparative point of views in biology and biochemistry, classical thermodynamics, reaction rates in chemical and biological systems, and thermodynamics of open systems. The text then ponders on comparative mechanisms for fatty acid oxidation; phosphoric acid anhydrides and other energy-rich compounds; and onium compounds and their biological significance.
The publication examines phototropism and phototaxis and distribution and evolution of visual systems. Topics include phototropism in plants, analysis of phototropic reaction, nature of photoreceptors, role of auxin in phototropism of plants, visual systems of vertebrates, and habitat relations. The book also tackles aerobic and anaerobic reactions of inorganic substances and comparative biochemistry of glycolysis.
The selection is a dependable source of data for readers interested in the sources of free energy.

Contributors to Volume IPrefaceContents of Volumes II, III, and IVGuide to the Nomenclature1. An Introduction to Comparative Biochemistry I. The Comparative Point of View in Biology II. The Comparative Point of View in Biochemistry III. The Scope of Comparative Biochemistry 13 References2. Thermodynamics of Living Systems I. Introduction II. Classical Thermodynamics III. Thermodynamics of Open Systems IV. Reaction Rates in Chemical and Biological Systems References3. Comparative Mechanisms for Fatty Acid Oxidation I. Energetics of Fatty Acid Oxidation II. Mechanism for Release of the Potential Energy in Fatty Acids III. Non-Energy-Yielding Systems IV. Mechanism of Odd-Chain Fatty Acid Oxidation V. Fatty Acid Oxidation-Comparative Aspects VI. Conclusion References4. Phosphoric Acid Anhydrides and Other Energy-Rich Compounds I. Introduction II. Chemical and Thermodynamic Aspects of "Energy-Rich" Compounds III. "Energy-Rich" Compounds in Biological Systems References5. Onium Compounds and their Biological Significance I. General Introduction, Natural Distribution, and Chemical Properties of Onium Compounds II. Aliphatic Quaternary Ammonium Compounds III. Heterocyclic Onium Compounds IV. Sulfonium Compounds V. Metabolism and Enzymology of Onium Compounds VI. Conclusions References6. Phototropism and Phototaxis I. Introductory II. "Phototropism" (The Phototactic Response) in Animals III. Phototropism in Plants IV. Analysis of the Phototropic Reaction V. The Role of Auxin in Phototropism of Plants VI. Nature of the Photoreceptors VII. Mechanisms References7. The Distribution and Evolution of Visual Systems I. Introduction II. Visual Systems of Vertebrates III. Habitat Relations: Freshwater Fishes Versus Marine Fishes and Land Vertebrates IV. Euryhaline Fishes V. Amphibia: Metamorphosis of Visual Systems VI. Vertebrate Visual Systems: Habitat Relations and Phylogeny VII. Lampreys VIII. Deep-Sea Fishes IX. Eels X. Invertebrates XI. Summary and Conclusions References8. Aerobic and Anaerobic Reactions of Inorganic Substances I. General Considerations II. Oxidation of Nitrogen Compounds III. Oxidation of Sulfur and Sulfur Compounds IV. Oxidation of Molecular Hydrogen V. Biological Litho-Oxidations of Secondary Importance References9. Comparative Biochemistry of Glycolysis I. Chemical Reactions Involved in Glycolysis II. Regulatory Factors III. Glycolysis in Specialized Tissues and Cells IV. Species and Tissue Specificities of Glycolytic Enzymes References10. Comparative Biochemistry of Electron Transport I. Introduction II. The Cytochrome Respiratory Chain III. Oxidative Phosphorylation IV. Other Respiratory Pathways V. Conclusion References11. Utilization of Thermal Energy by Living Organisms I. The Need of All Organisms for Thermal Energy: General Considerations II. Methods of Meeting Thermal Requirements III. Organisms with Unusual Thermal Requirements IV. Methods of Protection Against the Destructive Effects of Thermal Energy V. Thermal Energy as a Factor in EvolutionAddendumReferencesAuthor IndexSubject Index