Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more
Skip to content
Updating Soon - Summer 2024
Cover of The Basics of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry v3.0
Publishing: 
Summer 2024
Page Count: 
10 (est)
ISBN (Digital): 
978-1-4533-4115-5

The Basics of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Version 3.0
By David W. Ball, Rhonda J. Scott, and John W. Hill

Included Supplements

Homework and supplements available July 31, 2024.

Key Features

  • Minimizes student math anxiety and increases learners’ comprehension by:
    • Employing a clear and consistent problem-solving style for mathematical problems.
    • Emphasizing units of quantities and how they work out in algebraic treatments.
  • Over 60 embedded hyperlinks to videos and webpages enrich hybrid and online courses, engage students, and reinforce or augment many of the presented topics
  • Supportive learning structure includes:
    • “Opening Essay” at the start of each chapter introduces students to the big picture significance of the chapter’s content
    • “Learning Objectives” at the start of each main section preview the material to come and prepare students to learn
    • “Notes” sprinkled throughout the chapter include brief, but relevant information about a key topic
    • “Example” provides worked-out models for solving problems
    • “Skill-Building Exercises” follow each example problem to help students immediately practice the skill they have learned while it is still fresh in their memories
    • “Concept-Review Exercises” with answers, focus on key ideas from the preceding section
    • “To Your Health” describes how key topics relate directly to health issues
    • “Looking Closer” expands on topics that are both relevant and appealing to learners
    • “Career Focus” presents a health-care occupation to provide students with exposure to various health-care career paths
    • “Key Takeaway” at the end of each main section reflects the corresponding Learning Objectives and summarizes key ideas in bullet-point fashion. “Key Takeaway” enables the learner to pause and consolidate the information just read into a "chunk." This process enables the reader to better understand and retain the section’s content and its key concepts
    • “Exercises” at the end of main section prepare students to engage with additional, broad-based exercises at the end of each chapter
    • End-of-Chapter Material
      • “Chapter Summary” highlights key concepts covered in the preceding chapter
      • “Additional Exercises” provide multiple opportunities for additional practice and concept reinforcement
  • All supplements are written by the authors to ensure an excellent match with the book’s content. The instructor’s solutions manual includes fully worked-out solutions to all Exercises.
  • Customizable
  • Pricing:  Online Access:  $35.95; Color Printed Textbook with Online Access:  $60.95

The Basics of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry is suitable for one-term courses called Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry (or Biochemistry), Introduction to GOB, Chemistry for Allied Health, Chemistry for Nurses, or similar titles taught in departments of chemistry, allied health, or nursing. This course generally enrolls nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other allied health majors. It can be offered at the undergraduate level in both two- and four-year colleges and universities. 

The Basics of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry is written for the one-term general, organic, and biological chemistry course. An expanded version is available for courses taught over two terms. This version is a concise introduction, originally written by specialists in each area that comprises the content. This book pays close attention to addressing math anxiety, accessible writing, and useful pedagogical features, making it an ideal introduction to core chemistry concepts in health and the life sciences.

New in This Version

  • Condensed to 15 chapters, two chapters fewer than the previous version
  • Cleaner, improved graphics, particularly in Chapters 10–15
  • Many illustrations and photos have been updated with more recent examples.
  • Added over 60 embedded hyperlinks to streaming videos to provide enrich examples and illustrate problem-solving strategies for exercises
  • New exercises in every chapter
  • Additional Examples and Skill-Building Exercises in Chapter 10 (“Organic Chemistry Basics”) provide more practice in naming organic compounds and drawing structures
  • Updated biological chemistry content to include material relevant to the recent COVID-19 pandemic
  • New information about SARS-CoV-2 and mRNA vaccines (Chapter 14 “Nucleic Acids”) 

In Progress

All instructor supplements will be available by July 31, 2024.

Homework system for this title will be live by July 31, 2024.

  • About the Authors
  • Acknowledgments
  • Preface - Revise At End
  • Chapter 1: Elements, Atoms, and the Periodic Table

  • 1.1 The Elements
  • 1.2 Atomic Theory
  • 1.3 The Structure of Atoms
  • 1.4 Nuclei of Atoms
  • 1.5 Atomic Masses
  • 1.6 Arrangements of Electrons
  • 1.7 The Periodic Table
  • 1.8 Nuclear Chemistry
  • 1.9 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 2: Ionic Bonding and Simple Ionic Compounds

  • 2.1 Two Types of Bonding
  • 2.2 Ions
  • 2.3 Formulas for Ionic Compounds
  • 2.4 Ionic Nomenclature
  • 2.5 Formula Mass
  • 2.6 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 3: Covalent Bonding and Simple Molecular Compounds

  • 3.1 Covalent Bonds
  • 3.2 Covalent Compounds: Formulas and Names
  • 3.3 Multiple Covalent Bonds
  • 3.4 Characteristics of Covalent Bonds
  • 3.5 Characteristics of Molecules
  • 3.6 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 4: Introduction to Chemical Reactions

  • 4.1 The Law of Conservation of Matter
  • 4.2 Chemical Equations
  • 4.3 Quantitative Relationships Based on Chemical Equations
  • 4.4 Some Types of Chemical Reactions
  • 4.5 Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Reactions
  • 4.6 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 5: Quantities in Chemical Reactions

  • 5.1 The Mole
  • 5.2 Atomic and Molar Masses
  • 5.3 Mole-Mass Conversions
  • 5.4 Mole-Mole Relationships in Chemical Reactions
  • 5.5 Mole-Mass and Mass-Mass Problems
  • 5.6 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 6: Energy and Chemical Processes

  • 6.1 Energy and Its Units
  • 6.2 Heat
  • 6.3 Phase Changes
  • 6.4 Bond Energies and Chemical Reactions
  • 6.5 The Energy of Biochemical Reactions
  • 6.6 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 7: Solids, Liquids, and Gases

  • 7.1 Intermolecular Interactions
  • 7.2 Solids and Liquids
  • 7.3 Gases and Pressure
  • 7.4 Gas Laws
  • 7.5 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 8: Solutions

  • 8.1 Solutions
  • 8.2 Concentration
  • 8.3 The Dissolution Process
  • 8.4 Properties of Solutions
  • 8.5 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 9: Acids and Bases

  • 9.1 Arrhenius Definition of Acids and Bases
  • 9.2 Brønsted-Lowry Definition of Acids and Bases
  • 9.3 Water: Both an Acid and a Base
  • 9.4 The Strengths of Acids and Bases
  • 9.5 Buffers
  • 9.6 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 10: Organic Chemistry Basics

  • 10.1 Organic Chemistry
  • 10.2 Straight-Chain Alkanes
  • 10.3 Branched-Chain Alkanes
  • 10.4 IUPAC Nomenclature
  • 10.5 Physical Properties of Alkanes
  • 10.6 Cycloalkanes
  • 10.7 Halogenated Hydrocarbons
  • 10.8 Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • 10.9 Reactions of Alkenes
  • 10.10 Cis-Trans Isomers
  • 10.11 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 11: Carbohydrates

  • 11.1 Carbohydrates and Their Functional Groups
  • 11.2 Classes of Monosaccharides
  • 11.3 Important Hexoses
  • 11.4 Cyclic Structures of Monosaccharides
  • 11.5 Properties of Monosaccharides
  • 11.6 Disaccharides
  • 11.7 Polysaccharides
  • 11.8 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 12: Lipids

  • 12.1 Fatty Acids
  • 12.2 Fats, Oils, and Waxes
  • 12.3 Membranes and Membrane Lipids
  • 12.4 Steroids
  • 12.5 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 13: Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes

  • 13.1 Amino Acids
  • 13.2 Reactions of Amino Acids
  • 13.3 Peptides
  • 13.4 Protein Structure
  • 13.5 Enzymes
  • 13.6 Enzyme Activity
  • 13.7 Enzyme Inhibition
  • 13.8 Enzyme Cofactors and Vitamins
  • 13.9 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 14: Nucleic Acids

  • 14.1 Nucleotides
  • 14.2 Nucleic Acid Structure
  • 14.3 Replication and Expression of Genetic Information
  • 14.4 Protein Synthesis and the Genetic Code
  • 14.5 Mutations and Genetic Diseases
  • 14.6 Viruses
  • 14.7 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Chapter 15: Energy Metabolism

  • 15.1 ATP—the Universal Energy Currency
  • 15.2 Stage I of Catabolism
  • 15.3 Overview of Stage II of Catabolism
  • 15.4 Stage III of Catabolism
  • 15.5 Stage II of Carbohydrate Catabolism
  • 15.6 Stage II of Lipid Catabolism
  • 15.7 Stage II of Protein Catabolism
  • 15.8 End-of-Chapter Material
  • Appendix A: Chemistry, Matter, and Measurement: A Review of The Basics

  • A.1 Introduction to Organic Chemistry
  • A.2 What is Chemistry?
  • A.3 The Classification of Matter
  • A.4 Measurements
  • A.5 Expressing Numbers: Scientific Notation
  • A.6 Expressing Numbers: Significant Figures
  • A.7 The International System of Units
  • A.8 Converting Units
  • A.9 Redox Reactions in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • A.10 End-of-Appendix Material
  • Appendix B: Chapter Exercise Answers

  • B.1 Chapter 1 Elements, Atoms, and the Periodic Table 
  • B.2 Chapter 2 Ionic Bonding and Simple Ionic Compounds 
  • B.3 Chapter 3 Covalent Bonding and Simple Molecular Compounds
  • B.4 Chapter 4 Introduction to Chemical Reactions
  • B.5 Chapter 5 Quantities in Chemical Reactions
  • B.6 Chapter 6 Energy and Chemical Processes
  • B.7 Chapter 7 Solids, Liquids and Gases
  • B.8 Chapter 8 Solutions
  • B.9 Chapter 9 Acids and Bases
  • B.10 Chapter 10 Nuclear Chemistry
  • B.11 Chapter 11 Organic Chemistry Basics
  • B.12 Chapter 12 Carbohydrates
  • B.13 Chapter 13 Lipids
  • B.14 Chapter 14 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes
  • B.15 Chapter 15 Nucleic Acids
  • B.16 Chapter 16 Energy Metabolism
  • B.17 Appendix A Chemistry, Matter, and Measurement: A Review of the Basics
  • Appendix C: Periodic Table of the Elements

    FlatWorld Homework System

    FlatWorld Homework

    FlatWorld Homework includes multi-format questions written specifically for your FlatWorld book, which you can access through our stand-alone interface or integrate with your learning management system.

    Request a demo

    In order to give you the best experience, it is important that we have accurate data about your correct school. If you are unable to find the correct school above, please enter the name and web address here so that we can add it to our system.



    At FlatWorld, we take pride in providing a range of high-quality supplements alongside our titles, to help instructors teach effectively. Supplements are available for instructors who have registered their adoption with us. If you need to review or preview something specific, please contact us.


    Sign up for FlatWorld

    Already registered? Sign in here

    David W. Ball Cleveland State University

    David Ball (PhD Rice University) is a retired Professor of Chemistry at Cleveland State University. His specialty is physical chemistry, which he taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels. About 50 percent of David’s teaching was in general chemistry, including chemistry for non-science majors; general, organic, and biological chemistry; and general chemistry for science and engineering majors. In addition to several texts with FlatWorld, Professor Ball is also the author of two math review books for general and physical chemistry students, a physical chemistry textbook, and three books on spectroscopy. His publication list includes over 240 items, evenly distributed between research papers and articles of educational interest.

    Rhonda J. Scott Southern Adventist University

    Rhonda J. Scott (PhD University of California at Riverside) is Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Southern Adventist University. Her background is in enzyme and peptide chemistry. Previous to her experience at SAU, Rhonda taught at Loma Linda University and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. In the past ten years, she has presented at national American Chemical Society meetings and other workshops and conferences. She has also been very active in the development of teaching materials, reviewing or contributing to other textbooks and test banks.

     

    John W. Hill University of Wisconsin-River Falls

    John W. Hill (Ph.D. University of Arkansas) was Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. An organic chemist, he had more than 50 publications in refereed journals, most of which have an educational bent. John wrote or co-wrote several introductory level chemistry textbooks, all of which went into multiple editions. He also presented over 60 papers at national conferences, many relating to science education. John received several awards for outstanding teaching and had long been active in the American Chemical Society, both at local and national levels. 

    Back to top