The Amateur Biologist

Jacket Description/Back: Are you a passionate amateur naturalist?Would you like to record videos of the microscopic world?Detect an insect's heartbeat? Separate molecules with electricity?Extract and purify DNA . . . in your kitchen?Now you can do all these things and more with this wonderful compendium of unique and exciting projects. Gathered here, in the most comprehensive, wide-ranging collection of projects available for the amateur biologist, are some of the finest experiments from Scientific American's popular "Amateur Scientist" column. Whether you'd like to find out how to measure the metabolism of an insect, learn museum secrets for preserving plants, or discover how to teach a sow bug to navigate a maze, you'll find the project to suit your needs. Filled with experiments from a wide range of specialties, including botany, genetics, behavioral studies, cellular biology, microscopy, microbiology, and entomology, this fascinating book also contains helpful hints and clear instructions on how to build experimental apparatus using simple household materials and affordable alternatives to more expensive scientific equipment. Whether you're a student, teacher, or dedicated amateur scientist, you'll find projects here to excite your interest as well as deepen your understanding of-and appreciation for-the natural world. Biographical Note: SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN reaches more than three million readers globally by subscription, on newsstands, and online at www.sciam.com. SHAWN CARLSON was the author of Scientific American's "Amateur Scientist" column from 1995 to 2001. He is the Executive Director of the Society for Amateur Scientists and a 1999 winner of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation "genius" Fellowship. Table of Contents: Foreword. Introduction. PART 1: MISCELLANEOUS TECHNIQUES. 1. Video Microscope. 2. Electrophoresis. 3. Measuring Metabolism of Small Animals. 4. High Altitude Chamber. 5. Tin-Can Kymograph. 6. Microscopy: Subtle Secrets and Advanced Techniques. PART 2: BOTANY. 7. Museum Secrets for Preserving Plants. 8. Growing Plants in a Controlled Environment. 9. The Essence of Hydroponics. 10. Geotropism: The Effects of Gravity on Plant Growth. 11. Exploring Growth Inhibitors. 12. Experiments with Substances That Stimulate Plant Growth. 13. The Effects of Ultrasonics on Plant Development. PART 3: CELLULAR BIOLOGY. 14. The Pleasures of Pond Scum. 15. Experiments with Animal Cells. 16. Exploring Slime Molds. 17. Fabulous Phototaxis. PART 4: ENTOMOLOGY. 18. Lovely Lepidoptera. 19. Measuring Insect Metabolism. 20. Getting Inside an Ant's Head. 21. Detecting Insect Heartbeats. 22. Learning in Sow Bugs. PART 5: MICROBIOLOGY. 23. Mouse Genetics. 24. Fruit Fly Genetics. 25. Spooling the Stuff of Life. Glossary. Further Reading. Supplier List. Organizations. Index. Marc Notes: At head of title: Scientific American.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 213-214). Publisher Marketing: This science project book for adult amateurs is based on the regular Scientific American column The Amateur Scientist. Projects aim to be challenging, and can be done with basic home shop tools. Review Citations:

Choice 06/01/2002 pg. 1791 (EAN 9780471382812, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Carlson, Shawn SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN reaches more than three million readers globally by subscription, on newsstands, and online at www.sciam.com. SHAWN CARLSON was the author of Scientific American's "Amateur Scientist" column from 1995 to 2001. He is the Executive Director of the Society for Amateur Scientists and a 1999 winner of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation "genius" Fellowship.