Life

Scientists have been cataloguing life for over 200 years, yet there are still many thousands of undiscovered species. From a microscopic cell to the most complex mammal, this intriguing book helps us to understand living things in the forms we know of, and to speculate about the ones we do not. Geologists have found the fossilised remains of organisms that are over 3 billion years old, almost as old as the Earth itself. These early life forms were little more than chance chemical reactions. Since then millions of different species have developed, each with its own DNA pattern and means of reproduction. We human beings have developed enough to study and genetically engineer life, and look for other life beyond our galaxy. Featuring historic scientific apparatus and ground-breaking experiments and discoveries, Life is a unique and exciting introduction to this fascinatingly endless subject.Here is a spectacular, thought-provoking, and highly informative guide to the fascinating diversity of life Superb light-and electron-microscope images and photographs of 3-D models, experiments, and natural history reveal the ideas and discoveries that have changed our view of the living worldSee life's building blocks; inside a flower; thermal images of the human body; what DNA looks like; how plants put on weight; The oldest forms of life on Earth; a single cell in close-up detail; bacteria under attackLearn why we need carbon; how living things get and use energy; what happens when we breathe; how biologists classify all living things; the differences between plants and animals; how living things growDiscover how life began; what DNA is and its importance in biology; how various life forms have evolved; the many fascinating ways that different species interact with each other; how viruses invade cells; the uses of genetic engineering What is Life?The Carbon Key Life's Building Blocks Single-Celled LifeCells and Organisms Photosynthesis Respiration Getting Supplies Getting Around Sensing the WorldKeeping a Balance Attack and DefenceGrowth and Development A Sexual Reproduction DNA - The Essence of Life How DNA Works Sexual Reproduction Heredity Evolution Interactions within Species Interactions between Species Classifying living ThingsKingdoms of Life Plants and Animals How did Life begin? Increasing Complexity The Edge of Life Genetic Engineering Life beyond Earth? Index "An innovative series that combines visual brilliance with scientific discovery."Bookshop Education"Pictures and text work together to offer a lucid chronicle of pertinent experiments, discoveries, and inventions from ancient times to the present."Publishers Weekly"...draws the readers in with gorgeous pictures, then painlessly drip feeds information."New Scientist"The public longing for illustrated explanation accounts for the international success of DK’s Eyewitness Science series, which are produced primarily for young readers but also sell well to adults."The Financial Times"Whether in search of a quick answer or interested in delving into a topic in detail, youngsters will find that these information-packed books fill their needs handily."Publishers Weekly