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Sharon Bertsch Mcgrayne, E. V. Mielczarek, E.V. Mielczarek, Eugenie V. Mielczarek, Eugenie Vorburger Mielczarek
Iron, Nature's Universal Element - Why People Need Iron and Animals Make Magnets
English · Hardback
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Description
Virtually all life on Earth, from bacteria to humans, needs iron to survive. From facilitating oxygen flow in mammals to assisting migrating birds in finding their way south for the winter, iron serves a variety of definitive roles for nearly all living creatures.
Our knowledge of iron’s role in life is the result of recent discoveries about iron and magnetism in bacteria, in myriad animals and plant species,and in humans. Personal stories of scientists illustrate the lively interplay between molecular biologists, ornithologists, physicists, oceanographers, chemists, geologists, physicians, and ecologists.
The authors start with the discovery of iron-rich hot springs on the ocean floor. Was this life’s nursery? Other chapters describe why there is iron in our blood and how the body safely cages excess iron. The physiology of exercise and the genetic blood diseases, sickle cell anemia, hemochromatosis, and the thalessemias are explained.
One of nature’s most dramatic mysteries-the migration of birds, turtle, salmon and other animals-depends on iron magnets. The bodies of some animals contain minute deposits of magnetite that are sensory navigators. Far reaching in scope, Iron, Nature’s Universal Element also looks at global issues including iron’s power over the earth’s oceans, vegetation, and populations; and the low-protein diets that lead to long-term cognitive damage in iron-deficient children in poor countries.
Our knowledge of iron’s role in life is the result of recent discoveries about iron and magnetism in bacteria, in myriad animals and plant species,and in humans. Personal stories of scientists illustrate the lively interplay between molecular biologists, ornithologists, physicists, oceanographers, chemists, geologists, physicians, and ecologists.
The authors start with the discovery of iron-rich hot springs on the ocean floor. Was this life’s nursery? Other chapters describe why there is iron in our blood and how the body safely cages excess iron. The physiology of exercise and the genetic blood diseases, sickle cell anemia, hemochromatosis, and the thalessemias are explained.
One of nature’s most dramatic mysteries-the migration of birds, turtle, salmon and other animals-depends on iron magnets. The bodies of some animals contain minute deposits of magnetite that are sensory navigators. Far reaching in scope, Iron, Nature’s Universal Element also looks at global issues including iron’s power over the earth’s oceans, vegetation, and populations; and the low-protein diets that lead to long-term cognitive damage in iron-deficient children in poor countries.
List of contents
What was iron doing at life's birth? : life without oxygen
Catastrophe : the arrival of oxygen
Grabbing and storing : controlling iron
The smallest living magnets : avoiding oxygen
Hemoglobin and myoglobin : harnessing oxygen
Migrating animals : magnetic travel
Iron and the planet's ecosystem : seas and soils
Feeding the world's poor : iron deficiency
Catastrophe : the arrival of oxygen
Grabbing and storing : controlling iron
The smallest living magnets : avoiding oxygen
Hemoglobin and myoglobin : harnessing oxygen
Migrating animals : magnetic travel
Iron and the planet's ecosystem : seas and soils
Feeding the world's poor : iron deficiency
About the author
EUGENIE VORBURGER MIELCZAREK is a professor emeritus of physics at George Mason University and primary editor of Key Papers on Biological Physics.
SHARON BERTSCH MCGRAYNE is a science writer and former physics writer/editor for Encyclopedia Britannica. Her books include Nobel Women in Science and Blue Genes and Polyester Plants.
SHARON BERTSCH MCGRAYNE is a science writer and former physics writer/editor for Encyclopedia Britannica. Her books include Nobel Women in Science and Blue Genes and Polyester Plants.
Summary
The authors start with the discovery of iron-rich hot springs on the ocean floor. Was this life's nursery? Other chapters describe why there is iron in our blood and how the body safely cages excess iron. They also examine iron's power over the Earth's oceans, vegetation and populations.
Product details
| Authors | Sharon Bertsch Mcgrayne, E. V. Mielczarek, E.V. Mielczarek, Eugenie V. Mielczarek, Eugenie Vorburger Mielczarek |
| Publisher | Rutgers University Press |
| Languages | English |
| Product format | Hardback |
| Released | 01.09.2000 |
| EAN | 9780813528311 |
| ISBN | 978-0-8135-2831-1 |
| No. of pages | 224 |
| Dimensions | 158 mm x 236 mm x 20 mm |
| Weight | 485 g |
| Subjects |
Humanities, art, music
> Art
> General, dictionaries
Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Biochemistry, biophysics |
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