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Principles of Biochemistry
Before I say anything about this book, I offer for your consideration the fact that I am not a student of biochemistry; I am a physics graduate student. My desire to learn about biochemistry had nothing to do with receiving any sort of degree. Then consider the fact that this is the only Amazon.com review I have ever written. These facts alone should tell you that I must have found this book pretty remarkable. This text was required for all three of the biochemistry classes I took as an undergraduate student, and it never let me down. It contains a positively HUGE amount of information, which Nelson and Cox have somehow managed to digest and present for the layperson in a way that is both engaging and understandable. The writing style is superb, and the visual aids are numerous and of exceptionally high quality. How many times while cramming for the next day's test at 3:00 am have you caught yourself reading material that isn't even covered on the exam, just because it's interesting? I
1119 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1970
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
November 1, 2010
I had the privilege of being taught by both of the authors. They are amazing teachers, and this book reflects the clarity of their in-class teaching as well as the depth of their knowledge.
I also have a huge crush on one Mr. David L. Nelson.
I also have a huge crush on one Mr. David L. Nelson.
sampled
July 8, 2021This is the Master, the ultimate, the book for which all other books are mere detours. Once you read this, there is no going back. All other books are for settling down, compromising, the ones you read because you don't want to be lonely (read: don't want to be an idiot in biochem). This is what stable relationships are like. This is the marriage of true minds. What I mean is, this is what they talk about in all those poems and love songs.
Sometimes I read this book just for fun, for stuff I don’t even need to know (but there is no such thing, and the college is lying, I know). This is so beautifully written I understand everything. Which is the shock of a lifetime for a subject like biochem.
If you have biochem, please read this. This book will open up worlds for you. The style of explanation is really as good as it can get.
Sometimes I read this book just for fun, for stuff I don’t even need to know (but there is no such thing, and the college is lying, I know). This is so beautifully written I understand everything. Which is the shock of a lifetime for a subject like biochem.
If you have biochem, please read this. This book will open up worlds for you. The style of explanation is really as good as it can get.
March 12, 2016
بین همه‌ی رمان‌هایی که خوندم، فقط یه کتاب علمی هست که خوب خوندمش و خوندنش اصلاً مثل خوندن کتابای درسی غم‌انگیز و طاقت‌فرسا نبود. شاید واسه این‌که نام خانوادگی مولف اصلی کتاب، آلبرت لنینجر، خیلی شبیه سلینجر بوده. هر چی که هست این تنها کتاب درسیِ موجود بین کتابامه.
December 31, 2008
This book finally ties together the threads of courses in all the major biological sub-disciplines (biology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology), and places them firmly in the context of the chemistry of life. Would be a good read in conjunction with an introductory text on physiology.
December 28, 2009
I obviously did not read this book cover to cover, but the sections that I did read were fairly easy to understand, but also managed to go into a fair amount of detail.
September 13, 2014
Bible for Biochemistry, easy enough to understand :)
May 21, 2016
5th edition. As a biochemistry undergraduate student with an interest in understanding the more comprehensive details of biochemical reactions, I found Lehninger to be very enlightening. For sure, there is a lot of information in this book. It exceeded what I needed to know to succeed in my courses. A strong background in organic chemistry is useful so that you may firmly understand the reaction pathways and molecular interactions. The mechanisms are not advanced, but having a solid understanding of electrophilicity, nucleophilicity, electron density, resonance, sterics, hydrogen bonding, van Der Waals interactions, and other fundamentals from organic chemistry will help you to grasp the material more quickly.
If you are taking biochemistry: read the book. None of my classmates read the book, and they struggled severely. Read the book. You are taking a class now where you have to read the book to do well. Find a schedule that works for you so that you can read, slowly, through the material. This isn't a story novel. You have to slow down. Read with intent. Read with intent. <-- I mean it. Take notes. Re-draw the mechanisms yourself. When you get to metabolism, clear your bedroom wall and start taping up pathways. Do it like CSI and use strings to show connections between cycles.
Overall, most of the diagrams and mechanisms are sufficient. At times, they condense the mechanisms down in a way that can be confusing. I found myself decoding "too much going on at once" at times.
* Part 1 Structure & Catalysis *
All of this material seemed very clear to me. I had no problem navigating the diagrams and concepts. Understanding entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs energy helps a lot when understanding enzymes and protein folding. My piece of advice is to learn the amino acids and nucleic acids now. Don't put it off and slack it thinking you don't have to learn them. I found the kinetics sections to be confusing. That may just be me. I referred to an MCAT prep workbook for more basic coverage of kinetics.
* Part 2 Bioenergetics & Metabolism *
This is the hardest section. It is very dense with both "need to know" content and details for deeper understanding. I found the metabolism chapters (glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation/synthesis, citric acid cycle) to be presented well. My complaint here is that some of the mechanisms seem to try to show "too much at once" like I mention above. I am also very sad to say that I can't find sufficient information on Lactate Dehydrogenase, even though it is mentioned numerous times in the homework problems. Anyway, don't lose the bigger picture of these pathways and their regulation. You may easily recognize the effect insulin has on glycolysis, or gluconeogenesis, but don't forget about the effect it has on fatty acids. Remember to make note of those connections. The citric acid cycle: Please Can I Keep Selling Seashells For Money, Officer? Got me a top score.
* Part 3 Information Pathways *
This is the shortest but by far the most interesting section for me. If you have taken college intro biology then all this will be familiar. DNA polymerase, leading strands, lagging strands... however it gets a little bit deeper in to how all this stuff works. There are some topics that cannot answer all your questions because, well, we don't know the answer! That isn't always made clear but it is made clear enough, I suppose. My professor works in this field and his added contributions are helpful, but I think the book alone is still strong. Homing endonucleases are the creepiest things ever. Just saying.
If you are taking biochemistry: read the book. None of my classmates read the book, and they struggled severely. Read the book. You are taking a class now where you have to read the book to do well. Find a schedule that works for you so that you can read, slowly, through the material. This isn't a story novel. You have to slow down. Read with intent. Read with intent. <-- I mean it. Take notes. Re-draw the mechanisms yourself. When you get to metabolism, clear your bedroom wall and start taping up pathways. Do it like CSI and use strings to show connections between cycles.
Overall, most of the diagrams and mechanisms are sufficient. At times, they condense the mechanisms down in a way that can be confusing. I found myself decoding "too much going on at once" at times.
* Part 1 Structure & Catalysis *
All of this material seemed very clear to me. I had no problem navigating the diagrams and concepts. Understanding entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs energy helps a lot when understanding enzymes and protein folding. My piece of advice is to learn the amino acids and nucleic acids now. Don't put it off and slack it thinking you don't have to learn them. I found the kinetics sections to be confusing. That may just be me. I referred to an MCAT prep workbook for more basic coverage of kinetics.
* Part 2 Bioenergetics & Metabolism *
This is the hardest section. It is very dense with both "need to know" content and details for deeper understanding. I found the metabolism chapters (glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation/synthesis, citric acid cycle) to be presented well. My complaint here is that some of the mechanisms seem to try to show "too much at once" like I mention above. I am also very sad to say that I can't find sufficient information on Lactate Dehydrogenase, even though it is mentioned numerous times in the homework problems. Anyway, don't lose the bigger picture of these pathways and their regulation. You may easily recognize the effect insulin has on glycolysis, or gluconeogenesis, but don't forget about the effect it has on fatty acids. Remember to make note of those connections. The citric acid cycle: Please Can I Keep Selling Seashells For Money, Officer? Got me a top score.
* Part 3 Information Pathways *
This is the shortest but by far the most interesting section for me. If you have taken college intro biology then all this will be familiar. DNA polymerase, leading strands, lagging strands... however it gets a little bit deeper in to how all this stuff works. There are some topics that cannot answer all your questions because, well, we don't know the answer! That isn't always made clear but it is made clear enough, I suppose. My professor works in this field and his added contributions are helpful, but I think the book alone is still strong. Homing endonucleases are the creepiest things ever. Just saying.
June 16, 2016
ইয়ে আরেকটা হরর বই :'(
লাইফে কোন বই নিয়ে যদি আতংকে ভুগি তাহলে এইটা প্রথমে থাকবে !!! আল্লাহর অনেক রহমত এই ইয়ারে এই বইটারে পড়তে হচ্ছে একটার পর একটা ভয়াবহ সব রিএকশন, জটিল সব পাথওয়ে না যায় পড়া না যায় মনে রাখা!
লাইফে কোন বই নিয়ে যদি আতংকে ভুগি তাহলে এইটা প্রথমে থাকবে !!! আল্লাহর অনেক রহমত এই ইয়ারে এই বইটারে পড়তে হচ্ছে একটার পর একটা ভয়াবহ সব রিএকশন, জটিল সব পাথওয়ে না যায় পড়া না যায় মনে রাখা!
February 13, 2021
bibel der biochemie
May 26, 2014
I cann't talk about Lehninger .. He is the supervisor of my supervisors in Egypt .. you can image :)
Dr Hussein Ghaleb one of the most important biochemistry professors in Egypt .. and the world .. He presented Egypt as a member of Unisco in 60's in a very creative project that preserve a large amount of sugar to Cuba .. He started there an idea that can summarized to " formation of a single cell protein from Molasses "
Dr/ Ghalib was Lehninger's student in Germany in 50's i think ..
The conversation can take us the talk about Dr / ghalib ..
He was born at Aswan at 1924 .. Graduated from University of King Foaad The first ..
He has a certification from The king Farouk ..
He has a pisture with Gamal abdel-naser .. The second Egyptian president ..
Dr/Ghalib has a picture with Lehninger .. that he always proud ..
Dr Hussein Ghaleb one of the most important biochemistry professors in Egypt .. and the world .. He presented Egypt as a member of Unisco in 60's in a very creative project that preserve a large amount of sugar to Cuba .. He started there an idea that can summarized to " formation of a single cell protein from Molasses "
Dr/ Ghalib was Lehninger's student in Germany in 50's i think ..
The conversation can take us the talk about Dr / ghalib ..
He was born at Aswan at 1924 .. Graduated from University of King Foaad The first ..
He has a certification from The king Farouk ..
He has a pisture with Gamal abdel-naser .. The second Egyptian president ..
Dr/Ghalib has a picture with Lehninger .. that he always proud ..
June 16, 2021
i just hate biochem in general, it’s interesting but horribly tedious and not at all relevant to my life but i need it for grad school. this book only gets an extra star for being better at teaching me than my actual professor
February 20, 2012
One of the best textbooks I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Hands down.
I still use it today, and I'm not even in school.
I still use it today, and I'm not even in school.
August 1, 2023
Here in my garage
September 6, 2014
This was the text we used for Biochemistry at UC Irvine in 1971-1972. Obviously it was the earlier 1970 edition. This was by far the best textbook I ever encountered and set me on a career in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology that led to a Ph.D. and many wonderful years in academia, biotech, and the pharmaceutical industry. I kept the book for decades and wish I had never given it away. Someday, although I am now retired and in my 60s, I hope to purchase the newest edition of this historic textbook.
March 13, 2008
Although I'm required to read this book, it is very neat how the body works. I am fascinated by how well God has created all of us, and how perfectly we seem to function with ease. It is also neat to understand what happens when the systems are not properly functioning and how it all breaks down. If anyone is interested in learning more about how proteins, carbs, fats and nucleic acids work in the body, pick this book up and start reading.
June 8, 2015
wooah such relief..
.. feelings undescribable, now that I've left that behind
And what can I say, the last Chapter, especially the last few pages was incredible
such lucidity
no drawbacks, or forced assumptions..
& most importantly,there was a continious feedback loop, to previous parts, that having 'digested' them, I could bring back to memory, with only a hint..
[ still I need to research, some stuff I just read a little bit further]
.. feelings undescribable, now that I've left that behind
And what can I say, the last Chapter, especially the last few pages was incredible
such lucidity
no drawbacks, or forced assumptions..
& most importantly,there was a continious feedback loop, to previous parts, that having 'digested' them, I could bring back to memory, with only a hint..
[ still I need to research, some stuff I just read a little bit further]
Read
June 29, 2020This book is proof you can be fascinated and frustrated by a subject at the same time.
Tip for whoever might need it: if you're going to rely on only one text to study standard undergraduate level biochemistry, make it this one. Stryer's and Rawn's are too dry and abstract, whereas Harper's focuses too much on medical applications and medical case studies. (Even for pre-meds, I'd still suggest Lehninger's over Harper's, because the former is a lot more comprehensive).
Tip for whoever might need it: if you're going to rely on only one text to study standard undergraduate level biochemistry, make it this one. Stryer's and Rawn's are too dry and abstract, whereas Harper's focuses too much on medical applications and medical case studies. (Even for pre-meds, I'd still suggest Lehninger's over Harper's, because the former is a lot more comprehensive).
May 2, 2018
Sin duda, el libro que más consulté mientras estudiaba la asignatura de Bioquímica. Todo lo que no comprendía en las clases lo encontraba al detalle entre sus páginas. Buenas explicaciones a un nivel profundo acompañado de imágenes muy claras.
Un clásico que se merece su renombre.
Un clásico que se merece su renombre.
January 28, 2016
It was a good biochemistry book, even though sometimes I found it a bit overloaded. All in all, it was good and the concepts were explained really well.
Now I have to do the exam.
Now I have to do the exam.
October 2, 2022
never thought a book would make me cry quite this much
October 17, 2024
The Fifth Edition of Lenhinger’s Principles of Biochemistry is not only a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of biochemistry, but is also of high artistic quality.
Like heterochromatin, each paragraph is densely packed with information, but yet is still readable (unlike heterochromatin), a testament to the eloquence of the writing. Accompanying the text are figures so well drawn they remain just as vivid in sleeping as in waking. Indeed, one finds themselves so engrossed in the text that by the time they come back to themselves they are two, four, or even eight sections away from where they started.
Besides its obvious educational facility, Principles of Biochemistry provides no shortage of practical function as well. In a pinch, it can elevate any instrument placed upon it with a stable 4.22 cm of added height, and when placed on the ground poses an impressive hazard to the unaware pedestrian. On sleepless nights one only needs to flip to any page and will instantaneously find themselves whisked away from the world of the conscious.
It is a must-read for any that wish to better understand the complexities and beauty of life at a molecular level, and a must-own for those just a few centimetres short of a top-self media bottle.
Like heterochromatin, each paragraph is densely packed with information, but yet is still readable (unlike heterochromatin), a testament to the eloquence of the writing. Accompanying the text are figures so well drawn they remain just as vivid in sleeping as in waking. Indeed, one finds themselves so engrossed in the text that by the time they come back to themselves they are two, four, or even eight sections away from where they started.
Besides its obvious educational facility, Principles of Biochemistry provides no shortage of practical function as well. In a pinch, it can elevate any instrument placed upon it with a stable 4.22 cm of added height, and when placed on the ground poses an impressive hazard to the unaware pedestrian. On sleepless nights one only needs to flip to any page and will instantaneously find themselves whisked away from the world of the conscious.
It is a must-read for any that wish to better understand the complexities and beauty of life at a molecular level, and a must-own for those just a few centimetres short of a top-self media bottle.
January 25, 2023
lo consiglio a tutti al posto della droga
February 4, 2025
Está bien escribido pero me aburren algunos temas, fokin water
March 29, 2025
keep coming back to it😍😍
January 17, 2021
5 stars
I found this textbook easy to understand and follow, even though I only have a limited background in biochemistry. The sections started off with a brief overview of the topic, before going into a lot more depth later in the chapter. This makes it suitable for students at lots of different levels of knowledge. This would be appropriate for any science, biomedicine or medicine university student.
Will be re-visiting this textbook throughout my course!
I found this textbook easy to understand and follow, even though I only have a limited background in biochemistry. The sections started off with a brief overview of the topic, before going into a lot more depth later in the chapter. This makes it suitable for students at lots of different levels of knowledge. This would be appropriate for any science, biomedicine or medicine university student.
Will be re-visiting this textbook throughout my course!
March 15, 2025
It gave me anger management issue
Read
May 20, 2020Premed 2013
February 8, 2017
I didn't actually read the whole book, but most of it, at least around 900 pages. To be honest, I hated having to read this book, because it was for University, and I'll probably will have to read some of it again for finals in July and I will hate even more. Aside from that, this is a really good book! I mean, I didn't like reading it because who likes studying? But it was so useful and well explained, it fulfilled its purpose, it did what no teacher ever could, it taught me metabolism and I understood it. I'm gonna name this book Lehny because he has been my friend for a whole semester and even though I hate him, I love him.
February 22, 2019
Fantastic! Textbooks are information rich and require prior knowledge - in this case both general and organic chemistry.
I read this because it was on my shelf and I needed to brush up. My plan is now to read the current edition, thereby reviewing (driving this knowledge into the banks of my memory, that is), and observing the changes that have transpired over the last 25 years.
It took from Jan 15th until Feb 21 to cover 28 chapters, 1011 pages, at a rate of a chapter/day excluding weekends. A typical chapter took me 6 - 8 hours.
I read this because it was on my shelf and I needed to brush up. My plan is now to read the current edition, thereby reviewing (driving this knowledge into the banks of my memory, that is), and observing the changes that have transpired over the last 25 years.
It took from Jan 15th until Feb 21 to cover 28 chapters, 1011 pages, at a rate of a chapter/day excluding weekends. A typical chapter took me 6 - 8 hours.
July 6, 2019
This book had way more in depth knowledge than what I needed, and you clearly see it's written by an american since it doesn't spare an explanation nor assumes any background knowledge by the reader but instead explains everything in meticulous detail.
But, I finished my courses and for that I am thankful. And when you sit down and actually read the book and get into the flow of it it's really interesting and very worthwhile.
But, I finished my courses and for that I am thankful. And when you sit down and actually read the book and get into the flow of it it's really interesting and very worthwhile.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews