BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION April 1974 Vol. 2 No. 2 37

The Open University Film Catalogue. Pp. 67, 1973 The Open University Audio Tape Catalogue. Pp. 20, 1973

Both free on application to the Marketing Division, The Open University, P.O. Box 81, Walton Hall, Milton Keyes, MK7 6AT, England.

These give details of films and audio tapes which have been broadcast over the British Television and Radio service as a part of the Open University's Science course and are now available to educational institutions for hire or purchase as teaching aids.

The first catalogue describes 16 mm sound films in black and white. Each runs for about 25 minutes and can be hired for £4 plus 10% VAT per booking or purchased at £42 plus 10% VAT. Those of biochemical interest forming part of the Science Foundation course and are introductory in nature include: The Cell, Cell Dynamics, Cells in Action, Genetic Code, and Cells and Organisms. In Cells in Action there is a filmed interview with Professor Christian de Duve who describes how he discovered lysosomes. There are also six films forming part of the more specialized Second Level Course in Biochemistry, being concerned with experimental techniques. They were filmed in a studio laboratory as lecture-demonstrations for the home- based students and thus could be quite useful in situations where practical work by other students is restricted, for example, by large numbers of slender resources. The first two films are entitled Enzyme Purification and shows a seven stage process for yeast hexokinase. The third film, Criteria of Purity, discusses electrophoresis and chromatography using the "fingerprinting" of haemoglobins as one example. The series continues with Radio-isotope Techniques and The Handling of Micro-organisms, while the last film is The Uses of Biochemistry in which some of the techniques previously studied are shown in use in three situations: the routine screening of a baby for phenylketonuria, the separation of lactate dehydrogenase iso- enzymes as used in following the progress of a heart attack and the industrial preparation of glutamate oxalacetate transaminase from pig hearts. There are also films available from the Second Level Comparative Physiology Course of interest to biochemists including Hormones and Homeostatis which includes a section in which Sir Vincent Wigglesworth gives the historical background of his pioneer work on the hormonal control of moulting in the bug Rhodnius. Other titles include Hormones and the Reproductive Cycle, Respiratory Mechanisms and Plant Growth and Differentiation.

The second catalogue lists audio tapes which have been designed to supplement textbooks by tackling topics from a different angle and using techniques and resources not available in print. The tapes are available either as two-track C60 audio cassettes or as open reel tapes (3-3/4 ips). Most tapes contain two programmes, each of 20 minutes, and ost £2.80 plus 10% VAT. Two tapes in the Foundation course are of particular biochemical interest. On one, Professor Rose interviews Sir Hans Krebs about early experiments which led to the conception of the cycle and about Sir Hans' recollections of his early life, while the second half of the tape deals with uses and abuses of biochemistry. Dr. Magnus Pyke outlines advances in food technology, drugs and fertility control while Dr. R. Smith (St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London) discusses the opposite side of the coin, topics such as the thalidomide tragedy and chemical and biological warfare. On another tape, Sir Lawrence Bragg talks about the setting up of his research unit at Cambridge in which the revolution in biology began and Professor J.C. Kendrew talks about the excitement of the work in the early days. Professor M.R. Pollock of the University of Edinburgh discusses the role played by viruses and bacteria as research tools. The other half of this tape concerns some important differences between computers and the human brain. There is a Second Level course tape on Biochemical Individuality on which Professor W.F. Bodmer of Oxford describes the various ways in which humans differ genetically, taking as examples the ABO blood groups,

Rhesus factor, HLA tissue types, phenylketonuria and sickle ceil trait. Professor S.P.R. Rose discusses how the environment can affect the genetic response. There are also tapes on more physiological topics, such as Experiments on Animals, The Biology of Ageing, Choosing the Right Organism, Biological Clocks and Why Sex ?

The Open University are clearly making an important contribution to the audio-visual material available for use in biochemical teaching. The participation of distinguished scientists in the programmes is a good feature since it adds a valuable historical and human flavour to formal instruction. We hope that as the Open University courses progress to higher levels, further similar material will be forthcoming.

B.A. Kilby

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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (N.M.R.) in Biochemistry Applications to Enzyme Systems Raymond A. Dwek How far can one use n.m.r, to determine the complete three-dimensional structure of an enzyme in solution? Can n.m.r, studies help to identify the functional groups involved in catalysis, the nature of the trans- ition state, and the role of metal ions and co-factors? This. book attempts to answer these and related questions, and with examples discusses the inform- ation that different types of magnetic resonance measurements can give. It will be found useful by biochemists, protein chemists, enzymologists, biophysical chemists, and inorganic chemists, at the advanced student and research levels. £8 Monographs in Physical Biochemistry.

Essentials of Organic Nomenclature A Programmed Course John B. Jepson and William R.D. Smith All students of the life sciences and medicine must have a working knowledge of organic nomenclature, so that they can relate structures and names of biologically active materials to functional properties.' This learning programme aims to bring students with only the most elementary knowledge of chemistry to the point where organic names no longer appear intimidating, and instead begin to explain properties and reactions. The programme has been tested on a large number of students with various backgrounds and requirements, and has proved useful for sixth formers, medical and dental students, and first year undergraduates studying chemistry and biology. Paper covers 45p.

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