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A Flash of Light is an intriguing book that starts at the beginning
of time itself and then winds its way through a host of fascinating
light related topics including the hues of aliens sunsets, the
psychology of colour, and the chemistry of LCD screens. Written as
part of a novel experiment, editors Mark Lorch and Andy Miah
hatched a plan to collect a critical mass of academics in a room
and charged them with writing a popular science book, under the
watchful eye of the general public at the Manchester Science
Festival. The result is an enlightening look into the science
behind colour and light, encompassing biology, chemistry and
physics and including simple and fun "try this at home" ideas to
illustrate the concepts covered. Drawing on the experience of some
of the UK's best science communicators, this book will appeal to
anyone with an interest in science. Its pacey, witty and engaging
tone provides illuminating insight into how and why we see the
universe the way we do.
Ever wondered what a superhero eats for breakfast? Do they need a
special diet to feed their superpowers? The odd metabolisms of
superheroes must mean they have strange dietary needs, from the
high calorie diets to fuel flaming bodies and super speeds, to not
so obvious requirements for vitamins and minerals. The Secret
Science of Superheroes looks at the underpinning chemistry, physics
and biology needed for their superpowers. Individual chapters look
at synthesising elements on demand, genetic evolution and what
superhero suits could be made of. By exploring these topics, the
book introduces a wide range of scientific concepts, from protein
chemistry to particle physics for a general scientifically
interested audience. With contributions from leading science
communicators the book hopes to answer some of these important
questions rather than debunk or pick holes in the science of
superheroes.
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring From the
simplest bacteria to humans, all living things are composed of
cells of one type or another, all of which have fundamentally the
same chemistry. This chemistry must provide mechanisms that allow
cells to interact with the external world, a means to power the
cell, machinery to carry out varied processes within the cell, a
structure within which everything runs, and also governance through
a web of interlocking chemical reactions. Biochemistry is the study
of those reactions, the molecules that are created, manipulated,
and destroyed as a result of them, and the massive macromolecules
(such as DNA, cytoskeletons, proteins and carbohydrates) that form
the chemical machinery and structures on which these biochemical
reactions take place. It didn't take long for an understanding of
the chemistry of life to turn into a desire to manipulate it. Drugs
and therapies all aim to modify biochemical processes for good or
ill: Penicillin, derived from mould, stops bacteria making their
cell walls. Aspirin, with its origins in willow bark, inhibits
enzymes involved in inflammatory responses. A few nanograms of
botulinum toxin (botox), can kill by preventing the release of
neurotransmitters from the ends of nerves and so leads to paralysis
and death, or give a wrinkle free forehead (if administered in very
tiny quantities).This Very Short Introduction discusses the key
concepts of biochemistry, as well as the historical figures in the
field and the molecules they studied, before considering the
current science and innovations in the field, and the interaction
between biochemistry, biotechnology, and synthetic biology. ABOUT
THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford
University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every
subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get
ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts,
analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make
interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
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Michael Buble
CD
(1)
R487
Discovery Miles 4 870
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