Life Sciences for the Non-Scientist PDF
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LIFE SCIENCES FOR THE NON-SCIENTIST Viqar Zaman World Scientific LIFE SCIENCES FOR THE NON-SCIENTIST This page is intentionally left blank LIFE SCIENCES FOR THE NON-SCIENTIST Viqar Zaman Formerly Head of Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore V|fe World Scientific wl NNeeww J Jeersrseeyy • •L Loonnddoonn • •S Si ingapore • Hong Kong Published by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pie. Ltd. 5 Toh Tuck Link, Singapore 596224 USA office: Suite 202, 1060 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661 UK office: 57 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9HE Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publieation Data Zaman, Viqar. Life sciences for the non-scientist/Viqar Zaman. p. cm. ISBN 981-238-330-1 (alk. paper) -- ISBN 981-238-331-X (pbk.: alk. paper) 1. Life sciences. I. Title. QH307.2. Z36 2003 570-dc21 2003045077 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Copyright © 2003 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the Publisher. For photocopying of material in this volume, please pay a copying fee through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. In this case permission to photocopy is not required from the publisher. Printed in Singapore by Mainland Press Dedicated to my DNA Carriers Sara, Farah, Maryam, Sonia, Raisa, Ryan and Umar This page is intentionally left blank Preface Life science is a vast and ever expanding subject, and this book covers only a few selected topics of general interest in the field. The idea is to provide basic information on these topics without too many technical details. The concept of liberal arts education originated in tlie United States, and has now been accepted by many schools and universities, including the National University of Singapore, where I have worked for many years. The liberal arts education ensures that those who enter a university, should be instructed not only in their chosen field, but also in the workings of nature, as revealed by science. A scientifically illiterate society cannot expect to progress, and is bound to be relegated to the dustbin of history as has happened to many nations in the past. It was scientific and technical progress which enabled the European countries to colonize Asia, in spite of Asia being an older civilization. It is important that men of arts and humanities, joindy with the men of science, face the great ethical and moral dilemmas of modern times, and find a way to protect our environment and bring peace to this conflict ridden world. This book is made up of essays accompanied with diagrams and photographs, to help in the understanding of the text. It has no references, but these could easily be obtained from die numerous text books on science, found in any library. I am hoping that the contents would be thought provoking and enjoyable, not only for vii viii LIPE SCIENCES FOB. THE NON-SCIENTIST the students, but also for any person who is simply interested in science. The scientist is a citizen of the world, and rises above the confines of nationality and race, in an effort to understand the great mystery of existence. By embracing science, one feels liberated from man-made ideologies and self-imposed shackles. This is a great feeling, which I wish to share with you through this book. Acknowledgements I thank my life-partner Rosy for reading the manuscript and making many helpful suggestions. To Drs Mary Ng, P. Gopalakrishnakone and Ho Bow for the use of their electron-micrographs. To Aslam Bashir for the art work. To the staff of the departments of micro biology of the National University of Singapore and the Aga Khan University for their help over the years. I have borrowed thoughts and ideas from many sources and apologize if acknowledgement has not been made to all of them. Finally, my thanks are due to Ms Lim Sook Cheng and Linda Kwan of the World Scientific for their support and encourgement during the publication of this book. IX
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