PREFACE
The previous volumes of this treatise have been arranged to survey
the field of comparative biochemistry within a comprehensive framework. The energetic aspect of living organisms was described in Volumes
I and II. The composition of living organisms, and the transformations
of the constituents were described in Volumes III to V. Volumes VI and
VII are concerned primarily with comparative biochemistry at levels of
organization higher than the molecular. The present volume includes,
in addition, two chapters relating to molecular biochemistry which, for
reasons beyond the control of the editors, could not be included in the
appropriate volume. Volume VII also includes a comprehensive topical
index to the whole treatise.
With this volume we finish a task begun in 1955, the organizing and
editing of a comprehensive treatise. The authors contributing to this
treatise have pioneered in difficult areas of biochemistry and have helped
to produce a work which we believe to be of enduring value whatever
the future shape of the field. Once again, we wish to record our gratitude
to our publisher, Academic Press, and its staff, for exceedingly competent
professional assistance throughout the preparation of the treatise.
MARCEL FLORKIN
Liege, Belgium
HOWARD S. MASON
Porthnd, Oregon
April, 1964
vii
The previous volumes of this treatise have been arranged to survey
the field of comparative biochemistry within a comprehensive framework. The energetic aspect of living organisms was described in Volumes
I and II. The composition of living organisms, and the transformations
of the constituents were described in Volumes III to V. Volumes VI and
VII are concerned primarily with comparative biochemistry at levels of
organization higher than the molecular. The present volume includes,
in addition, two chapters relating to molecular biochemistry which, for
reasons beyond the control of the editors, could not be included in the
appropriate volume. Volume VII also includes a comprehensive topical
index to the whole treatise.
With this volume we finish a task begun in 1955, the organizing and
editing of a comprehensive treatise. The authors contributing to this
treatise have pioneered in difficult areas of biochemistry and have helped
to produce a work which we believe to be of enduring value whatever
the future shape of the field. Once again, we wish to record our gratitude
to our publisher, Academic Press, and its staff, for exceedingly competent
professional assistance throughout the preparation of the treatise.
MARCEL FLORKIN
Liege, Belgium
HOWARD S. MASON
Porthnd, Oregon
April, 1964
vii