The Physiology and Biochemistry of Prokaryotes, 3rd ed.

From the start one knows this book means business. Before coming to the first chapter one faces a bevy of equations …the Nernst equation for membrane potential, an equation for the Gibbs energy for solute uptake and concentration gradient, another describing the relation of redox potential difference to proton potential difference at equilibrium, equations for the amount of energy in a quantum and in an einstein, and so on. The tone of this prefatory section, called “Conversion Factors, Equations and Units of Energy,” proclaims a warning and a promise. Beware: this text will not deal with prokaryotic biological processes in an easy fashion. Rejoice: it will satisfy and excite anyone willing and able to delve deeply into their biophysical and biochemical bases.