Of the four general methods of making measurements leading to the calculation of electrokinetic potentials, the electrophoretic technics seem to be the most generally useful for the investigation of protein and biological surfaces. Once this was recognized, rapid advances resulted and our understanding of systems containing proteins and protein-like compounds has been greatly increased. Nor, is the end yet in sight. The subject is one of diverse interests covering the fields of chemists, physicists, biologists, and physicians. It comprises a borderland of the sciences. A means of co6rdination of these interests, of summarizing the present state of the subject, of acquiring a picture of all phases of the subject-all are the purposes of this book.
Proceeding from the simple to the more complex, the book may be divided into two parts. The first comprises the first four chapters. It lays the foundatlon npon which the rest is built. Chapter I contains an elementary presentation in non-mathematical form of the general principles of electrophoretic migration in liquids, which is followed by a brief historical background of experiments. Then in Chapter III, there are discussed certain methods of most valuefor the quantitative investigation of dissolved proteins, protein surfaces and cell surfaces; and Chapter IV reviews a restricted number of experiments dealing with the electric mobilities of dissolved proteins and particles coated with protein. This especially prepares the reader to follow the discussion taken up in the beginning cf the secoud part of the book in connection with the theories of electric migration. Chapter VI illustrates the way in which proteins can be used to test the general theories of electrokinetics, conductance, and protein behavior. The book is so planned that the reading of the second part can be deferred without impairing the understanding of the material discussed elsewhere.
The rest of the book is primarily descriptives-dealing with serum and plasma, reactions of antibodies and antigens, interactions of proteins and mixtures, interactions of proteins at surfaces, enzymes and hormones, latex, surface chemistry of cells, and nfiscellaneous electrophoretic investigations of biological interest. There is a name and subject index in the back.
The book fills a need of many who are interested in the subject. It most certainly is an aid in the investigation of the surface chemistry of living cells. R. H. OPPERMANN.