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H. NEWMARK, Laboratory of Cancer Research, Dept. of Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 164 Frehlinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020 and C. S. Yang, Laboratory for Cancer Research, Dept. of Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 164 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020.

The evolution of plants has been accompanied by the biosynthetic production of large classes of chemical compounds for a variety of plant functions. Animals, including humans, have been compelled to develop adaptive biochemical systems for processing these phytochemicals when using plants as food, components of clothing and shelter, and contact in the environment.

A few mammalian systems of biochemical transformation, absorption, physiologic transport, detoxification, and utilization of phytochemicals will be discussed, including some food phenolics and terpenes, particularly as they affect bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of active forms.