Abstract
<p> Written primarily for students completing an undergraduate bioscience degree, <italic>Enzymes, Volume 1: Nature’s Chemical Machines</italic> introduces basic concepts of catalysis, distinguishing kinetic aspects of chemical reaction from thermodynamics. It reviews the emergence of realisation, early in the 20 <sup>th</sup> century, that teams of potent and highly selective biological catalysts are a fundamental feature of life. The book then provides a practical introduction to what enzymes are and how they work, showing how the properties of proteins make possible the amazing power of enzyme catalysis. This title offers a platform in basic enzymology, including preparation of pure enzymes, data collection and analysis, allowing detailed study of individual enzymes. It supports broader biochemical studies through a wide range of examples, and leads on to the deeper coverage of the topic in the partner volume <italic>Enzymes, Volume 2: Enzymes at Work.</italic> </p>