Chemistry enables our eyes to detect the world around us; it determines whether something tastes sweet or sour; it helps genetic information pass accurately from one generation to the next. Ultimately, chemistry powers life itself. We don't need to dig very deep to answer the question: why do biologists need chemistry?

Building on the success of the first three editions, Chemistry for the Biosciences introduces students to all the chemistry they need to understand the biological world. Renowned for its clear and straightforward explanations, the book uses everyday examples and analogies throughout to help students get to grips with chemical concepts, and presents them in context of biological systems wherever possible so they can see how chemistry relates to their wider studies.

With topics drawn from organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry, students will encounter a broad range of essential concepts. Chemistry for the Biosciences includes many learning features - both in print and online - to help students grasp these concepts as quickly and thoroughly as possible. From the self-check questions throughout each chapter to help consolidate learning, to the Chemical Toolkits and Maths Tools that help students explore terminology, methods, and numerical skills that may be unfamiliar, the book is written to be a true course companion for students on biological and biomedical science degrees - one that will help them not only remember the essentials, but really understand them, setting students up for success in their later studies.

New to this edition:

• Focuses on those key chemical concepts that bioscience students need to understand, making its scope directly relevant to the target audience.
• A conversational style and everyday analogies are used throughout, helping students to relate unfamiliar concepts to situations and experiences that they are familiar with in order to boost their confidence in the subject.
• Opportunities for problem-solving, both in the book and online, encourage the reader to master key concepts and develop important numerical and data-handling skills.
• The assumption of limited prior knowledge makes it an ideal 'leveller', suitable for students from a range of backgrounds.
• Rich pedagogy in print and online makes learning as effective as possible.
• Also available as an e-book with functionality, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support.

This title is available as an eBook. Visit VitalSource for more information or to purchase.

1: Introduction: why biologists need chemistry
2: Atoms: the foundations of life
3: Compounds and chemical bonding: bringing atoms together
4: Molecular interactions: holding it all together
5: Moles, concentrations, and dilutions: making sense of chemical numbers
6: Hydrocarbons: the framework of life
7: Functional groups: adding function to the framework of life
8: Molecular shape and structure: life in three dimensions
9: Isomerism: generating chemical variety
10: Biological macromolecules: the infrastructure of life
11: Metals in biology: life beyond carbon
12: Chemical reactions, oxidation, and reduction: bringing molecules to life
13: Reaction mechanisms: the chemical changes that drive the chemistry of life
14: Energy: what makes reactions go?
15: Equilibria: how far do reactions go?
16: Kinetics: what affects the speed of a reaction?
17: Acids, bases, and buffer solutions: life in an aqueous environment
18: Chemical analysis: characterizing chemical compounds

Jonathan Crowe, Oxford, UK, and Tony Bradshaw, Principal Lecturer, Oxford Brookes University

Jonathan Crowe, Visiting Lecturer at City, University of London, and associate lecturer at Bath Spa University.

Tony Bradshaw, Principal Lecturer in Biochemistry at Oxford Brookes University.