Essays in the History of the Physiological Sciences


Book Description

The history of the physiological sciences remains an open field of investigation for scholars from different disciplines. A recent shift of interest towards physiology as the mother of many contemporary biomedical disciplines, has been observed on both scientific and historical levels. Due to its unique richness and variety of facts, interpretations, theoretical models, and moreover unanswered questions, physiology remains a matter of considerable, historical and epistemological interest. For scholars interested in the experimental as well as the conceptual and theoretical aspects of the physiological sciences in their broader sense, and concerned by their place within the national and international frameworks of biomedical research, forms of cooperation have been proposed within the networks of the European Association for the History of Medicine and health. The present volume is the first publication of this cooperation. In this volume definite disciplines like neurophysiology and endocrinology, and comparative international aspects are under scrutiny by well established scientists and scholars, physiologists, historians and philosophers. A strong emphasis is placed upon neuroscientific topics like brain localization, functional architecture, physiological mechanisms, behavioral and integrative aspects of the neurosciences, neurotransmission. Local research traditions, national differences and forms of international communication are also examined.




Reflections on Biochemistry


Book Description

Reflections on Biochemistry: In Honour of Severo Ochoa offers reflections on a wide range of topics relating to biochemistry, including energy metabolism, lipids and saccharides, regulation, nucleic acids and the genetic code, protein biosynthesis, and cell biology. The essays celebrate Severo Ochoa's outstanding contributions to biochemistry spanning nearly half a century. This book is comprised of 47 chapters and begins with a biography of Ochoa and his scientific work in the field of biochemistry, particularly his research on intermediary metabolism, RNA synthesis, and the genetic code. The discussion then turns to energy metabolism, photosynthesis, and fermentation, touching on topics such as the role of lactic acid in the development of biochemistry and the biosynthesis of cell components from acetate. The next section is devoted to lipids, saccharides, and cell walls and includes chapters that deal with biotin, sulfur biochemistry, and dipicolinic acid. Subsequent chapters explore hormonal regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis; the structural relationship between genes and enzymes; bacteriophages, colicins, and ribosomes; and cell biology and neurobiology. This monograph will be of interest to biochemists and students of biochemistry.




The Roots of Modern Biochemistry


Book Description

„The Roots of Modern Biochemistry ist eine gute Einführung in die moderne Biochemie, und als Einstieg sehr zu empfehlen.” Prof. Dr. Hans Fritz, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München




Biochemistry


Book Description

Biochemistry: The Chemical Reactions of Living Cells is a well-integrated, up-to-date reference for basic chemistry and underlying biological phenomena. Biochemistry is a comprehensive account of the chemical basis of life, describing the amazingly complex structures of the compounds that make up cells, the forces that hold them together, and the chemical reactions that allow for recognition, signaling, and movement. This book contains information on the human body, its genome, and the action of muscles, eyes, and the brain. * Thousands of literature references provide introduction to current research as well as historical background * Contains twice the number of chapters of the first edition * Each chapter contains boxes of information on topics of general interest










Power, Sex, Suicide


Book Description

Mitochondria are tiny structures located inside our cells that carry out the essential task of producing energy for the cell. They are found in all complex living things, and in that sense, they are fundamental for driving complex life on the planet. But there is much more to them than that. Mitochondria have their own DNA, with their own small collection of genes, separate from those in the cell nucleus. It is thought that they were once bacteria living independent lives. Their enslavement within the larger cell was a turning point in the evolution of life, enabling the development of complex organisms and, closely related, the origin of two sexes. Unlike the DNA in the nucleus, mitochondrial DNA is passed down exclusively (or almost exclusively) via the female line. That's why it has been used by some researchers to trace human ancestry daughter-to-mother, to 'Mitochondrial Eve'. Mitochondria give us important information about our evolutionary history. And that's not all. Mitochondrial genes mutate much faster than those in the nucleus because of the free radicals produced in their energy-generating role. This high mutation rate lies behind our ageing and certain congenital diseases. The latest research suggests that mitochondria play a key role in degenerative diseases such as cancer, through their involvement in precipitating cell suicide. Mitochondria, then, are pivotal in power, sex, and suicide. In this fascinating and thought-provoking book, Nick Lane brings together the latest research findings in this exciting field to show how our growing understanding of mitochondria is shedding light on how complex life evolved, why sex arose (why don't we just bud?), and why we age and die. This understanding is of fundamental importance, both in understanding how we and all other complex life came to be, but also in order to be able to control our own illnesses, and delay our degeneration and death. 'An extraordinary account of groundbreaking modern science... The book abounds with interesting and important ideas.' Mark Ridley, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford







Life Ascending


Book Description

Winner of the 2010 Royal Society Prize for science books Powerful new research methods are providing fresh and vivid insights into the makeup of life. Comparing gene sequences, examining the atomic structure of proteins and looking into the geochemistry of rocks have all helped to explain creation and evolution in more detail than ever before. Nick Lane uses the full extent of this new knowledge to describe the ten greatest inventions of life, based on their historical impact, role in living organisms today and relevance to current controversies. DNA, sex, sight and consciousnesses are just four examples. Lane also explains how these findings have come about, and the extent to which they can be relied upon. The result is a gripping and lucid account of the ingenuity of nature, and a book which is essential reading for anyone who has ever questioned the science behind the glories of everyday life.