Life Sciences for the Non-scientistWorld Scientific, 2005 - 239 pages As diverse as they are interesting, the issues within the life sciences never fail to impress and stir controversy among the lay public. In a field that too often presents the general reader with challenging and confusing material, this book provides a breath of fresh air: a readable, standalone collection of essays that navigate the complex terrain of cells, cloning, and Mad Cows.The second edition of this popular book is thoroughly updated with the latest issues, information, and statistics in the same readable and vividly illustrated format. A new chapter on organ transplantation looks at advances in immunology and the discovery of immunosuppressive drugs, which have contributed significantly to the success rate of these surgeries. Another new section tackles the fascinating subject of heredity, considering its historical background and Mendel's discoveries, genetically determined diseases, and the importance of genetic counseling.Illustrating how art, philosophy and mythology juxtapose yet complement scientific thought and evolution, the inclusion of poems and quotes at the end of each chapter serve to make this book truly unique. |
Contents
Chapter 1 In Search of Truth | 1 |
Chapter 2 From Molecules to Cell | 9 |
Chapter 3 From Inanimate to Animate | 23 |
Chapter 4 The Mother of All Cells | 31 |
Chapter 5 Cells Out of Control | 37 |
Chapter 6 Extending the Range of Vision | 47 |
Chapter 7 On Lifes Fringes | 53 |
Chapter 8 A Friend and a Foe | 69 |
Chapter 15 Microbes as Weapons | 143 |
Chapter 16 Sex and Survival | 151 |
Chapter 17 Do Microbes Possess Consciousness? | 159 |
Chapter 18 Natures Clocks | 165 |
Chapter 19 The Plant Kingdom | 173 |
Chapter 20 The Long March of Evolution | 183 |
Chapter 21 Making Clones | 195 |
Chapter 22 Replacing Body Parts | 201 |
Chapter 9 The Mouldy World | 83 |
Chapter 10 The Unwanted Guests | 91 |
Chapter 11 Mad Cows and Toxic Proteins | 107 |
Chapter 12 Arthropods as Agents of Disease | 113 |
Chapter 13 The Never Ending Battle | 127 |
Chapter 14 Bolstering Defenses | 137 |
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Common terms and phrases
acid adult amongst animals anthrax antibiotics antibodies antigens apoptosis appear arthropods attached bacteria bacterium become biological warfare blood body brain cancer cancer cells cause chemical chromosome cloning coli containing Courtesy cyst cytoplasm death defenses dermatophytes developed disease donor drugs earth eggs embryo enzymes evolution example female flowers fungi fungus genes genetic genome gland grow host cell human immunity important individuals infection ingestion intentionally left blank internal clocks intestinal involved known large number larva live liver lungs macrophage male membrane microbes microscope mite mitochondria mosquito mutation nature normal nucleus occurs oocysts organism ovum parasite particles patients plants Plasmodium pollen population prevent prion produce protein protozoa replication result sapiens scientific scientists seeds Sensilia skin smallpox species sperms spore stage stem cells structure surface survive theory tissues toxins tract transmission transmitted transplantation tumor University vaccine viral virus viruses worm Y chromosome 米米米米米