Metals And Chemical Change

This book looks at how molecules react, and how the feasibility and outcome of chemical reactions can be predicted. Metals play a vital role in the metabolism of plants and animals and, increasingly, in medicine. The Open University has developed an undergraduate course - Metals and Life, with two books, Metals and Life and Concepts in Transition Metal Chemistry used as the main teaching material. The books and the course cover how organisms acquire metals, their transport and storage, illustrated by such diverse examples as iron in the human body, and structures such as shells and teeth. This book provides an introduction to the metals essential to life and ligands of biological importance. It considers the uptake of metals, their transport and ultimately their storage, illustrated in particular with the story of iron in the body. It also considers Na, K and Ca ion channels and biomineralisation and covers the key roles that metals and their complexes play in living systems, for example in respiration and photosynthesis. The last section (delivered online) considers metal toxicity and deficiency and the role that metals play in medicine, looking at both diagnostics and therapy and the forefront of inorganic research. This book looks at how molecules react, and how the feasibility and outcome of chemical reactions can be predicted. Beginning with an introduction to the concept of an activity series of metals, Metals and Chemical Change then introduces chemical thermodynamics (enthalpy, entropy and free energy) and applies the concept to both inorganic and organic elements. A Case Study on batteries and fuel cells is also included. The accompanying CD-ROM includes video sequences of the reactions of metals with water, acid and aqueous ions, and gives the reader an opportunity to make experimental observations and predictions about chemical behaviour. A comprehensive Data Book of chemical and physical constants is included, along with a set of interactive self-assessment questions. The Molecular World series provides an integrated introduction to all branches of chemistry for both students wishing to specialise and those wishing to gain a broad understanding of chemistry and its relevance to the everyday world and to other areas of science. The books, with their Case Studies and accompanying multi-media interactive CD-ROMs, will also provide valuable resource material for teachers and lecturers. (The CD-ROMs are designed for use on a PC running Windows 95, 98, ME or 2000.)