Life Sciences for the Non-Scientist

186 Pages·2003·7.801 MB·English

by  Viqar Zaman

LIFE SCIENCES FOR THE
NON-SCIENTIST
Viqar Zaman
World Scientific
LIFE SCIENCES FOR THE
NON-SCIENTIST
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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
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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
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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.
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