BOOK REVIEWS 61 chemical formulae in the prose text. Unnecessary verbiage has been kept to the minimum. There is no doubt that there is a considerable gap between the classical serial treatment (occurrence, extraction, application and properties) of a few elements in isolation that once was presented, and enlightened teaching in schools and univer- sity. The lucid systematic presentation of this short book may well be the answer - but probably more for the sixth-form and scholarship pupil than the H.N.C. or B.Sc. General student who are equally the target of the author. Such students may, however, rely on this as a first year revision text and indeed many chemists long past their graduation might read Part I with interest. Certainly the soft cover, small size and bargain price should deter no student. G.F. PHILLIPS. BIOCHEMISTRY OF O•UINONES. Editor: R. A. Morton. Pp. xvii q- 585 q- Ill. (1965). Academic Press, London and New York. 117/6. Let no one be mislead by the title of this book and assume that it is devoted exclusively to biochemical topics. It also contains an impressive array of both synthetic organic and physical chemistry. For instance the chapter by R. A. Morton on the UV adsorption spectra provides a concise introduction to the theory of spectra, before passing smoothly to the particular requirements of the quinones. Thereafter there is little concession to the inexpert reader. There is a mass of data, sufficient to satisfy the most demanding scientists, critically examined and amply supported by numerous references. The same high standard is achieved throughout the book, which is arranged so that the subject develops logically. It starts with the identi- fication of the quinones, then considers the chemistry and then the distribution. The biosynthesis is discussed next, and the latter half of the book is devoted to the very diverse biochemical functions. The biochemistry of quinones is still not fully understood. For instance, while it is clear that the extraction of CoQ from mitochrondria inhibits the succinate oxidase activity, it is still not clear whether CoQ is on the main electron transport pathway. Similarly, knowledge of the vitamin E is also incomplete. Discussion continues as to whether there is some role other than pure in vivo antioxidant activity. What is the link with selenium ? What is the basis of the synergistic activity in preventing muscular dystrophy ? Much research remains to be done on this interest- ing class of compounds. This volume will help in this respect since it contains a wealth of condensed infor- mation critically prepared by world experts in this field. There are many up-to-date references with comprehensive author and subject indexes. It is not an easy book to read, but it is invaluable as a work of reference and should be available to all those who are even occasionally involved with naturally occurring quinones. A.W.H. PROGRESS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF FATS AND OTHER LIPIDS, VOLUME VIII, PART 1: PHOSPHOLIPIDS AND BIOMEMBRANES. L.L.M. van Deenan. Pp. vi + 127 q- Ill. (1965). Pergamon Press, Oxford. 50s. This is part of the eighth volume in a series that began in 1952 but now seems to be published with more regularity, viz. three volumes in the last three years. The previous two volumes have been published in parts - no doubt a reflection of

62 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS the growing activity in the field of lipid chemistry. The focus of interest in the series has shewn a gradual transition from fatty substances of vegetable origin or industrial significance to the function of lipids in biological systems. The present volume which continues that trend, may be of particular interest to cosmetic chemists concerned with the conditions of skin permeability. This account of progress in lipid chemistry deals with the specific function of phospholipids in relation to cell membranes. The work is divided into three broad topics, of which the first occupies half the text. Detailed treatment is given to the lipid composition of cell membranes, of specialized cells such as erythrocytes, and of sub-cellular particles, e.g. nuclei and chloroplasts. The chemical structure of phospholipids and their relation with cholesterol and the nature and significance of the non-polar side groups are discussed. It is generally agreed that the integral nature of cellular interfaces is due to a surface active function of phospholipids, i.e. by interaction with both lipid and protein structures. There is much more room for argument, however, when seeking to assign the nature and magnitude of the forces involved in associating and aligning the components of the membrane. Further, by no means all membranes appear to conform to the lipid "sandwich" model non-lamellar structures and multi-unit associations are not uncommon. Thus in the second section, current theories are elaborated for the molecular arrangement of lipids within biomembranes and as constituents of enzymes. Reference is made, with suitable illustrations, to powerful physical techniques (such as electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction) and micro- biophysical studies in relatively simple systems. A natural membrane is a metabolically dynamic system - phospholipids may assist in this fluidity by enzyme transport at the boundaries. The final section, therefore, gives a fairly brief account of some of these dynamic aspects of membrane phospholipids, notably their participation in several related synthetic and catabolic pathways and their importance in a variety of membrane transport processes. This survey emphasizes that research into the properties and composition of cell membranes should enhance our knowledge of the relation of structure and function of lipids within membranes. Nevertheless one must share the author's conclusion that in the vast field of interdisciplinary research on molecular architecture and functioning of biomembranes, many biological, chemical and physical problems with lipids still challenge the investigator. This is a slim and relatively expensive volume - it is well written and illustrated although the presentation remains very much for the specialist. Though nominally part of the Progress in Lipid Chemistry series, it may well be read in isolation by all concerned with cytochemistry. G.F. PHILLIPS.