The Manga Guide to Biochemistry

マンガでわかる [Manga de Wakaru]

by Masaharu Takemura, Kikuyaro, Office Sawa

The latest addition to No Starch Press's EduManga series, The Manga Guide to Biochemistry uses Japanese comics, clear explanations, and a charming storyline to explain the basics of biochemistry. This volume begins with a discussion of the cells that make up living beings, as well as the basics of protein synthesis, metabolism, energy production, and photosynthesis. It goes on to cover ecosystems and material cycles; the mechanisms of respiration; lipids, cholesterol, and blood types; and the roles and structures of enzymes and proteins. Readers explore genes and DNA; the differences between biochemistry and molecular biology; and the mystery surrounding the origin of the cell—all with the aid of original Manga cartoons. This EduManga title is co-published with Ohmsha, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan, and is one in a series of translations from Ohmsha's bestselling Japanese originals.

Genres: Science, Manga, Nonfiction, Biology, Chemistry, Graphic Novels, Stem

253 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2009

About the author

武村政春

Reviews

[İrem · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really fun and easy to understand way to learn biochemistry. At the beginning, I was worried that this may be too basic in the topic. Because it is hard to tell a detailed educational topic in manga form but they nailed it. I loved the manga. I learned a lot from it scientifically(I think it will really help with my bio classes when my school starts again). And the characters in it was just loveable. If you are weak in biochemistry this will make things easier for you. If you are already good and interested in the topic it is filled with good reading material.

[Czekolada Emilka · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and interesting way to overview the topic of biochemistry. This helped before beginning the semester course by providing a "big picture" to understanding the topic. The manga characters story line even throws in a little bit of romance for entertainment.

[Kimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing manga. I wanted some knowledge of biochemistry before I go into biochem next semester since I forgot almost all biology I've learned before. This manga is fun to read with amazing analogies and graphs that made the process not dull at all. Some of the knowledge was definitely hard to understand but it has done an amazing job. But I don't think this is for people without any exposure to chemistry or biology. It's dense when it gets to chemical reactions.

[Michael Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

MANGAAAAAAAA

[Martinez A. Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book I read it daily since I find it something wonderful to see

[The Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

está bonito, y el romance no fue excesivo (por fin un libro de química con romance 😻)

[Marme · Rating 5 out of 5]

brillante

[Niklaus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Francamente mi è difficile inquadrare il lettore target di questo libro. Dal punto di vista di chi la biochimica la conosce non ho molto da eccepire perché il contenuto c'è e per quanto semplificato non è banale. D'altra parte dubito fortemente che una persona senza conoscenze del campo possa avere memorizzato le molte vie biochimiche e formule chimiche descritte.
Certamente a me la parte "manga" è risultata se non indifferente addirittura irritante con tutte le faccine e gli atteggiamenti molto giapponesi (e per noi totalmente surreali) dei personaggi. Le ho lette velocemente soffermandomi invece sulla parte chimica che, come detto, ho apprezzato come ripasso.
Le uniche persone che potrebbe trarre giovamento dalla lettura (di sicuro non di svago) potrebbero essere studenti nell'ultimo triennio liceale o universitari in fase di ripasso prima di addormentarsi.

[Quincy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked up this book as a review for university Biochem. However, the concepts mentioned are not gone into details so I still need to review more. Even though this book is made so that learning Biochem is fun by reading as a comic, they still include a full page of words which is boring to read. Many times, I tried to gloss over those pages. If you want to review university Biochem, it is better that you knew the concepts before reading and do not just depend on just this book to teach you the concept (bc sometimes it was explained poorly).

[Juliana Cavalcanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the basic mechanisms are not completely explained, while reactions, molecule names and more advanced details are tossed out without need, also unexplained. Maybe it could do better if it had focused on carefully explaining the basics and leaving the reader with references in case he wants to know more details.

[Spencer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was a clever, albeit silly, idea for a complicated subject. However, the biochemistry information was buried in this insane story. I found this book deeply sexist and annoying. I have no idea if the other Manga Guides are this bad, but I won't be trying any others.

[Katty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent for a basic introduction to biochemistry, but the elements of the story are vapid and irritating, particularly the sexist characterization. It's unfortunately because the concept is great, and it could be done so much better.

[Bill Leach · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Manga story of two students and their professor provides a wrapper around an introduction to biochemistry. The young girl's concern with eating and getting fat is used to examine the processes of the body. A good read.

[Renata Ogusucu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muito bom para um primeiro contato com a disciplina, que normalmente é considerada complicada e intimidadora.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is difficult for me as an interested laymen to vouch for the veracity of the book, but it sure is fun!

[Hom Sack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lively, informative, and entertaining introduction to the subject. I look forward to reading the other book on Molecular Biology in the series.

[Karina · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was interesting information of biochemistry but the manga does have a distraction to what the topic was about. The explanation wasn't that clear.

[Ketan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the world of biochemistry. Highly recommended for beginners.

[Misia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dalej połowy nie rozumiem XD

[Je-an Condevillamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 .. Amazing!