The Penguin Dictionary of Biology: Eleventh Edition

by Michael Hickman, Michael Thain, M.L. Johnson, et al.

Book Overview

Worried about your maternal effect or biological clock? Need to know a rhizoid from a rhizome? Think you're going to fail your zoology or botany exam? The Penguin Dictionary of Biology is your saviour, defining some 6000 terms relating to this rich, complex and constantly expanding subject - from amino acids, bacteria and the cell cycle to X-ray diffraction, Y chromosome and zygotes. Long established as the definitive single-volume source, this dictionary...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141013966
• ISBN13: 9780141013961
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 768 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.0" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Maintain that resting potential, now!

The question was: what (or whatever) maintains the resting membrane potential nowadays! I always thought that it was the sodium pump (or Na K ATPase etc.). Recently, I heard: No, it is not the sodium pump that maintains the resting potential. So I checked both the Oxford and the Penguin Dictionaries of Biology. Oxford says that the resting potential is maintained by the sodium pump; however, the Penguin says it is the leaky potassium channels, and sodium pump plays a slight role. Well, it is one of those academic debates, it would seem--which really mean nothing--because nothing is at stake! The debate is from confusing maintenance, recovery, and repair--perhaps. Is it the resting potential (a thing being maintained) or is it the repolarization after a depolarization (a thing in recovery) that we are talking about? Is maintenance still maintenance if you spend energy in extruding the smaller atoms out--well: a running car can be maintained only by spending money? Perhaps, after all, it is only the usual confusion of the frogs in a well: they can only see the stars in their own horizons. The whole biological process has several components, and to know which is the one--well, just take one out and see if the process holds and functions. Which brick is the most important in a wall? Clearly, the truth is never simple, and possibly there is no such thing as the truth. Things evolve using all of the components--and are what they are. So, I guess it is always the context and it is always relative: point of view etc. There is no simple correct answer because the question is incorrectly formulated--without the necessary context. What is more important in the running of a car: the engine or the gas? So get both the Oxford and Penguin--they complement, and both are useful when viewed and understood in the right context: neither can replace the textbook; and no textbook replaces all the source materials--but you need to start somewhere. For a rich fantasy life read Ayul Zamir's Intern Beth. Now, whatever maintains that resting membrane potential!

Quick reference, good for college biology

I found this book to be a great reference in conjuction with a good textbook like Campbell's Biology. This dictionary helped me look up difficult concepts that were not always explained that well in my biology college classes. If you want a great resource for knowing the type of questions asked on college biology tests, get The Ultimate Study Guide for Biology: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations (Topics:Organization of Living Things & Chemistry of Life, Structure and Function of The Cell and Energy Pathways, Reproduction and Heredity, Genetics) Vol 1 by Patrick Leonardi The Ultimate Study Guide for Biology: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations (Topics: Evolution, Ecology, Kingdom Bacteria, Kingdom Protista, Kingdom Fungi, Viruses, Plant Form and Function.) Vol 2 The Ultimate Study Guide for Biology: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations (Topics: Kingdom Animalia, Organization of the Animal Body, Animal Form and Function, Animal Reproduction, Development and Behavior) Vol 3 Penguin's dictionary, Campbell's Biology, and Leonardi's study guides helped me and my study group get excellent grades.

Great reference book

I majored in biology and work in a lab, and I use this book quite frequently. Not all of us remember every single thing from school, and this book is perfect for a quick reminder of terminology and processes. It covers a great deal of common and uncommon topics, and provides great illustrations for some of the central concepts of life science. I recommend this book for anyone working in, studying, or interested in biology. It is much quicker than trying to go through your old notes or textbooks!

Excellent and very comprehensive biological science book

I am not a scientist which is precisely why I love this book. I can look up practically any biological term and get an understandable yet complete and intelligent definition. I am amazed at how comprehensive this book is. Every possible term that I can think of seems to be included from "Aberrant chromosome behaviour" to "Zymogen." But, this book goes beyond the beautifully crafted definitions, it has wonderfully detailed drawings. I am so impressed that I don't know any literate person who would not benefit from having this reference on his or her shelf; even a biologist would be able to refresh on terminology. Great for students too! GREAT FOR EVERYONE!