But molecules, such as water and sugar, are not alive. So how do our cells--assemblies of otherwise "dead" molecules--come to life, and together constitute a living being? In "Life's Ratchet," physicist Peter M. Hoffmann locates the answer to this age-old question at the nanoscale. The complex molecules of our cells can rightfully be called "molecular machines," or "nanobots"; these machines, unlike any other, work autonomously to create order out of chaos. Tiny electrical motors turn electrical voltage into motion, tiny factories custom-build other molecular machines, and mechanical machines twist, untwist, separate and package strands of DNA. The cell is like a city--an unfathomable, complex collection of molecular worker bees working together to create something greater than themselves. Life, Hoffman argues, emerges from the random motions of atoms filtered through the sophisticated structures of our evolved machinery. We are essentially giant assemblies of interacting nanoscale machines; machines more amazing than can be found in any science fiction novel. Incredibly, the molecular machines in our cells function without a mysterious "life force," nor do they violate any natural laws. Scientists can now prove that life is not supernatural, and that it can be fully understood in the context of science. Part history, part cutting-edge science, part philosophy, "Life's Ratchet" takes us from ancient Greece to the laboratories of modern nanotechnology to tell the story of our quest for the machinery of life.

    Following the success of "Help Your Kids with Math," "Help Your Kids with Science" is a comprehensive and stress-free approach to science.With clear graphics, instantly understandable diagrams, and welcoming, jargon-free text -- covering all the important areas of biology, chemistry and physics -- "Help Your Kids with Science" is a great resource for children and adults to learn even the most complex science problems with confidence.Whether it's working with the Periodic Table, the threes laws of motion, or trying to explain polarity and magnetic fields, "Help Your Kids with Science" is a great resource for parents."Help Your Kids with Science" also includes a glossary of key science terms and symbols.

    

    Save shipping costs by buying all of the books you need together! This package includes the textbook, teacher's manual, and lab workbook are all included.

    Processes in Microbial Ecology discusses the major processes carried out by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other protists in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems.Written by one of the leading scientists in the field, the text focuses on biogeochemical processes, starting with primary production and the initial fixation of carbon into cellular biomass, before exploring how that carbon is degraded in both oxygen-rich (oxic) and oxygen-deficient (anoxic) environments.The book neatly connects processes occurring at the micron scale to events happening at the global scale, including the carbon cycle and its connection to climate change issues.A final chapter is devoted to symbiosis and other relationships between microbes and larger organisms.Processes in Microbial Ecology is an ideal text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in microbial ecology and related fields.***Available for purchase in hardback***Order ISBN: 978-0-19-958693-6Price: $99.00

    It looks at the essential oils used in contemporary aromatherapy practice, with an emphasis on the underlying philosophical approaches and therapeutic applications. The book begins with an explanation of the theoretical history of aromatherapy in Greek, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It then gives a detailed account of how essential oils are created, how and where aromatherapy is used, the underlying pharmacology, and the current research. The characteristics of over 100 essential oils, absolutes and resinoids are explored, including botanical and chemical information, usage and combinations. This will be an indispensable text for all students and practitioners of aromatherapy and related disciplines, as well as anyone interested in the use of essential oils for health and well-being.

    Therefore, organic synthesis is important in many areas of both applied and academic research, from chemistry to biology, biochemistry, and materials science. The third edition of a bestseller, Advanced Practical Organic Chemistry is a guide that explains the basic techniques of organic chemistry, presenting the necessary information for readers to carry out widely used modern organic synthesis reactions. This book is written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as industrial organic chemists, particularly those involved in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and other areas of fine chemical research. It provides the novice or nonspecialist with the often difficult-to-find information on reagent properties needed to perform general techniques. With over 80 years combined experience training and developing organic research chemists in industry and academia, the authors offer sufficient guidance for researchers to perform reactions under conditions that give the highest chance of success, including the appropriate precautions to take and proper experimental protocols. The text also covers the following topics:Record keeping and equipment Solvent purification and reagent preparation Using gases and working with vacuum pumps Purification, including crystallization and distillation Small-scale and large-scale reactions Characterization, including NMR spectra, melting point and boiling point, and microanalysis Efficient ways to find information in the chemical literatureWith fully updated text and all newly drawn figures, the third edition provides a powerful tool for building the knowledge on the most up-to-date techniques commonly used in organic synthesis.

    Use this comprehensive resource to gain the theoretical and practical knowledge you need to be prepared for classroom tests and certification and licensure examinations.

    Featuring real-life photographs, fascinating facts, a comprehension and extension section, and more, readers stay engaged while learning and strengthening their reading comprehension skills.My Science Library's rich, content-filled text and beautiful photographs bring science and the scientific process to life for readers. The series includes interesting facts about the Earth, the solar system, matter, energy, forces and motion, and life on our planet. The engaging text makes learning about science fun.

    

    The most commonly known unconventional oils--oil sands, heavy oil, and bitumen--are found primarily in the western United States, Canada, and Venezuela. Only recently has serious consideration has been given to North American resources for meeting the increasing demands for transportation fuel. Dr. Banerjee discusses the importance of these unconventional oils and provides an introduction for those beginning their journey in the still unexplored unconventional hydrocarbon resources of the world. This new book is an important educational tool for anyone in the petroleum industry--whether upstream, downstream, or pipeline--who would like to learn the fundamentals of the most commonly known unconventional oils: oil sands, heavy oil, and bitumen.

    Amongst the detailed profiles are texts that discuss the fusion between science, art and design in the creation of these substances and their importance within contemporary living, sustainability and expanding technologies. The book also includes the work of cutting edge designers Marc Newson, Ross Lovegrove, Apple, NASA, Intel, Ron Arad and household names.

    It had been, it is true, considered and in part applied by Dumas, Gerhardt, and others, but the young Italian chemist Cannizzaro was the first to show its consistent applicability to the selection of atomic weights, and to harmonise with it the results of other methods directed towards the same end.The eminence of Cannizzaro as a teacher is plain in every page of the summary of his lecture course on chemical philosophy which is here translated. The facts are marshalled and their bearing explained with absolute mastery of pedagogic method, and one is impelled to the conclusion that Cannizzaro's students of 1858 must have had clearer conceptions of chemical theory than most of his scientific colleagues of a much later date.Permission to publish this translation was received from the venerable chemist a few days before his death on loth May 1910.J. W.