Metamorphosis
Unmasking the Mystery of How Life Transforms
1st Edition
Published on 4. August 2011
320 pages
978-1-85168-862-3 (ISBN)
Description
In this enchanting work of scientific exploration, acclaimed science author Frank Ryan explains how metamorphosis - the intricate trick of nature by which caterpillars transform into butterflies - reveals secrets that are shaking the scientific world. Ryan brings to life the work of pioneering naturalists who have traced metamorphosis in myriad species, from amphibians to marine creatures, even human puberty, to rewrite some of our longest-held beliefs about evolution. Lyrical and provocative, The Mystery of Metamorphosis offers a new understanding of some of the most ancient miracles of the nature.
Reviews / Votes
"A well-researched piece of popular science... Ryan successfully shows that a deeper knowledge of metamorphosis could have far-reaching consequences." * The Big Issue * "A brilliant book...a superb story, some excellent scientific insights, and a fascinating theory. Recommended." Brian Clegg * PopularScience.co.uk *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
File size
1,04 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-85168-862-3 (9781851688623)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/2012
Oneworld Publications
€32.37
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Book
08/2011
Oneworld Publications
€36.08
Article not available at the moment
Person
A scientist and consultant physician, Frank Ryan is the author of the critically acclaimed Virolution, Darwin's Blind Spot, and Virus X, among others. He is currently an Honorary Research Fellow in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Sheffield and lectures frequently on evolution and the role of viruses in life. Biotechnology.
Content
- Intro
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- Prologue: The Beautiful Mystery
- Part I. Anomalies in the Tree of Life
- 1. The Birth of an Idea
- 2. A Puzzle Wrapped in an Enigma
- 3. First Experiments
- 4. The Price of Iconoclasm
- 5. Challenging the Tree of Life
- 6. 'This Is Impossible!'
- 7. Catastrophe
- Part II. The Butterfly's Tale
- 8. The Evening of the Great Peacock
- 9. The Science of Life
- 10. Elementary Questions and Deductions
- 11. The Phoenix in Its Crucible
- 12. Two Souls in One Body
- 13. Bizarre Extrapolations
- 14. Assembling the Jigsaw Puzzle
- 15. Ecology's Magic Bullet
- Part III. New Perspectives
- 16. On the Steps of York Minster
- 17. The First Genetic Testing
- 18. How Novelties Can Arise
- 19. A New Life Form
- Part IV. The Molecular Age
- 20. The Puzzle of the Hornworm Brain
- 21. Aristotle or Darwin?
- 22. Cues and Common Links
- 23. A Tale in a Tail
- 24. Of Frogs and Their Relatives
- 25. To Be Human
- 26. The Sentient Brain
- Part V. The Neverending Story
- Epilogue: A Sting in the Tail
- Bibliography and Further Reading
- Notes
- Acknowledgements
- Index
