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COMPUTER SOFTWARE REVIEWS Computer Software Reviews Bioscience Software IRL Press, Oxford1Washington,D. C., in association with the Biochemical Society, London, 1985 The programs reviewed are the first of a series of teaching programs designed to run on the BBC Microcomputer. They are all supplied on single-density 40/80 track singlesided discs; a special 80-track version is available for use with ECONET level 2. The packaging and presentation, in reinforced plastic folders, are good. Each package includes the disc and one copy each of the teacher’s notes and notes for students. The disc enclosure is tight, such that removal without bending is difficult. For this reason disc handling should be entrusted to the teacher rather than the student. The initial cost of each package is 222.50 (plus VAT) but additional back-up discs may be purchased at g2.50 (plus VAT) each. The publishers, understandably concerned to prevent illegal copying of their software, have protected the discs, each one having a serial number so that the source of any pirated copies may be traced. The very moderate price of back-up copies is a sensible move to make illegal copying unnecessary. An order form is supplied with the package, The notes provided are well produced and informative. Additional copies of the notes for students can be ordered at 21.50 each, a price which is rather excessive for a 12-page booklet. The publishers should be encouraged to give a substantial discount for bulk orders. The programs are aimed mainly at A-level and first-year undergraduate students, but could usefully be used on a variety of courses at a variety of levels. Each program will take the student between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. Starting-up instructions are simple and clear and the programs are decidedly user-friendly. The use of a colour monitor is essential. This may limit its use in schools since evenon a high resolution monochrome monitor the contrast is insufficient to distinguish the various shades adequately. A. R. TAMMAR and P. E. SMITH pH/Titrations M. F. CHAPLIN This program covers acid and base behaviour in the context of titrations. The first section, though the sections may be accessed in any order, deals with exponential scales and the concept of pH. This is well covered and the student’s understanding is tested with calculations for which a scientific calculator is essential. This reviewer found having to count up to 13 noughts on a small screen annoying. The student’s booklet attempts to justify the use of decimal notation but intended users would surely be sufficiently numerate to cope with exponentials. The next section deals with the concept of equilibrium in kinetic rather than energetic terms. This approach affords an excellent opportunity to exploit BBC graphics to illustrate the attainment of equilibrium with a variety of rate constants for association and dissociation. Further sections extend these ideas to amino acids, at all times in the context of ideal solutions. The titration section enables curves to be drawn of any combination of strong and weak acid and base with the user in control of the burette. Indicator colours are also shown. The amphoteric nature of Vol. 13 amino acids is demonstrated as well as the influence of the R group. The last part of the program permits selection of any amino acid with a view to titrating it with NaOH from a low pH. During the titration the structural formula changes as appropriate protons are ionized, the pl is indicated and so too is the resultant charge on the molecule. This reviewer is not convinced that the sound effects are helpful but at least they can be switched off. Most of the seven multiple choice questions need a calculator and again it proved impossible to input answers in scientific format. The version issued was the one referred to in the teacher’s booklet as having the unintelligible question 3. Minor criticisms aside, this program provides a valuable insight into how teachers may be made redundant as well as affording a well-motivated student, with access t o the equipment, an opportunity to become au fait with these concepts. Most departments would find a copy a useful addition to their teaching equipment. A. R. TAMMAR Protein Structure and Enzyme Activity M. F. CHAPLIN This program starts with amino acids, the structural information being much more detailed than in the pH/titration program. Absolute configuration is not dealt with. Linking of amino acids to form peptides is demonstrated although the spatial characteristics of the peptide bond are only hinted at. Further linking to form polypeptides and proteins leads naturally to primary and secondary structure. Two such structures, the anti-parallel 0-pleated sheet and the &-helix, are well illustrated by animated building-up procedures, the particular strong-point of this teaching method. The amount of detail would probably not satisfy a dedicated proteinologist but the concepts are clearly presented. Tertiary structure follows with examples of possible intramolecular bond types. The simulation of folding to form a globular structure is perhaps the least satisfactory part of this program. The bulk of the program is concerned with enzyme properties and seeks to demonstrate how enzyme-mediated catalysis is affected by temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration and inhibitors. Two approaches are used in conjunction. The top half of the screen is occupied by graphs which show how the enzyme would behave in the conditions chosen by the operator, while the lower half simulates the supposed behaviour of the molecules in animated cartoon form. This is very successful, catering as it does for both the mathematical as well as the more visually orientated students. The program ends with an opportunity for the operator to alter more than one variable at a time with a view to optimizing a reaction rate (here the sound effects gave a useful aural indication). Nine multiple choice questions finally test the student’s grasp of the material presented. Again, this program is recommended for departmental rather than for individual purchase. A. R. TAMMAR 1253