Life's Engines: How Microbes Made Earth Habitable (Science Essentials): 24

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William Thomson (later Lord Kelvin), who died 100years ago on 17December1907, was one of the pioneers of the science of energy: thermodynamics A pleasure to read, the book touches on virtually every topic covered in a college biology curriculum by seamlessly weaving concepts with personal anecdotes and analogies. Presenting scientific facts and the fascinating history of their discovery, Falkowski (Rutgers Univ.) intersperses evolutionary theory with biochemistry, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, anatomy, and even anthropology and economics. He also presents a fact-based, nonpolitical vision for the future of biotechnology. . . . This reviewer came away inspired to learn more. Easily understood by anyone with a passing knowledge of science, this volume poses innumerable questions for further investigation."— Choice Life's Engines provides a unique perspective on the micro and macro worlds that comprise the living Earth system. A very good read."

Carnot realized that all engines transform energy from one form into another, and in his 1824 book Sur la puissance motrice du feu he showed that there were indeed universal rules that determined the maximum possible efficiency that an engine could achieve. Those rules depended not on the technology, be it steam power, water power or anything else, but on fundamental quantities such as heat and temperature. When touched by a killer cell, an organism will take damage. Once it has taken as much damage as it has cells in its body, it will die. If the hyperparameter One touch kill is on, an organism will immediatly die when touched by a killer cell. ReproductionOffspring can mutate their anatomies in 3 different ways: change a cell, lose a cell, or add a cell. Changing a cell sets a random cell to a random type. Losing a cell removes a random cell. Note that this can result in organisms with "gaps" and cells disconnected from the rest of its body. I consider this a feature, not a bug.

In this brilliant book, Falkowski explores the hidden world of microbes from the intertwined perspectives of a researcher deeply versed in both Earth and life sciences, taking us on an epic journey from the origins of life to the birth of our own species. Life’s Engines is an engaging, revelatory read.” —Robert M. Hazen, author of The Story of Earth What is known about the hidden world of the microbes and their fundamental roles in sustaining planetary habitability is insightfully revealed by Paul Falkowski in this authoritative, comprehensive, and delightful book. The author is uniquely qualified, perhaps singularly so, to cover topics ranging over broad time and space scales with a scholarly, transdisciplinary perspective that ranges from fundamental physics and chemistry, to Earth and ocean sciences. I cannot think of any other scientist who would accept such a challenge. . . . He is a gifted scientist and writer, and legendary storyteller." ---David M. Karl, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin All Combo Life models have a low bumper height, making it an ideal car for those with dogs because it’ll be easier for them to get in and out. The tailgate is enormous and difficult to open in a tight car parking bay. This has been thought of, though, because every Combo Life has an opening glass window, for you to be able to load up the boot without having to open the whole tailgate. Towing Not a microbial biologist, I approached this book with a bit of trepidation, imaging lengthy discussions of biochemistry. Instead, I was immediately engaged by Falkowski's conversational, fluid writing, personal anecdotes, and interesting choice of topics. . . . Life's Engines [is] easily accessible to the lay reader but engaging for the scientist as well."Not a microbial biologist, I approached this book with a bit of trepidation, imaging lengthy discussions of biochemistry. Instead, I was immediately engaged by Falkowski's conversational, fluid writing, personal anecdotes, and interesting choice of topics. . . . Life's Engines [is] easily accessible to the lay reader but engaging for the scientist as well."--American Biology Teacher