Introductory Mycology

first chapter, the author considers the "purpose" served by the second pyridine nucleotide coenzyme, TPN, to which he adds the thought that TPN arose in evolution to protect reducing power from the DPN-specific terminal oxidase systems that developed. Thus, the phosphogluconate and Emden-Myerhof pathways are looked at in terms of the pyridine nucleotide-coenzyme which each reduces rather than as alternate pathways to a common end. The transketolase-transaldolase route to pentose is considered here and the mechanism of these enzymes is discussed in detail in Chapter 3. The adaptive paths for xylose and arabinose degradation involving aldose-ketose conversion either by reduction-oxidation or by isomerase reaction in different microorganisms are thoroughly discussed with respect to the specific enzymes involved. As with man, the problem seems to be to get to D-xylulose-5-P. The pathway of heterolactic fermentation and role and mechanism of phosphoketolase are highlights of Chapter 2. Unfortunately for those who like to see the human aspects of scientific work, only occasionally, when in-progress work is discussed, is the reader made aware of the author as investigator. This may be proper journal protocol but it is regrettable that Horecker does not use this occasion to give his reader a more richly woven picture of the doings of one of our ablest enzymologists. The second edition of Alexopoulos' well-known book, "Introductory Mycology," follows in principle the same format as that of the first edition. Two features of the first edition have been omitted: the section on Schizomycetes (bacteria) and the summary at the end of each chapter. This latter deletion is regrettable as is the decision to reduce the number of references. Fortunately, the illustrated life cycles have been retained. This book is primarily one on morphology and taxonomic features of fungi. Very little material is presented on the physiology of the fungi which is a weak point of this book. It is this reviewer's opinion that an "introductory" course in mycology should include principles of physiology of fungi as well as their growth requirements and activities. Too many mycologists are still in the "descriptive" age which is one of several reasons why progress in mycology has been surpassed by other areas of microbiology. Alexopoulos has adopted the view of Conquist which is that a two kingdom system is more natural than a multi-kingdom. Thus, he classifies the fungi in the kingdom: Plantae instead of the Protista. There will be readers who do …