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Memory traces in the brain
biographical sketch by K. S. Pitzer, conveying an enthusiasm for physical chemistry that sets an ideal background for the individual reviews. Any brief summary of 20 articles must be inadequate and the following categorization only indicates the ‘topics covered: Phase Changes (density functional theory of liquidsolid transitions; light scattering near the glass transition): Physical Biochemistry (biochemical DSC; the B-DNA to Z-DNA transition; membrane and vesicle fusion in model systems; membrane proteins - structure and electron transfer): Quantum Chemistry (silicon compounds): Reaction Kinetics (atmospheric free radicals; picosecond laser spectroscopy and organic mechanisms; reactions in the gas-liquid transition range): Solids and Interfaces (alkalides and electrides; chemical vapour deposition; electron microscopy; evanescent waves and polymerinterface concentration profiles; surface diffusion theory): Spectroscopy (electron spin echo; four-wave mixing in nonlinear Raman: pyrazine and radiationless transitions; Rydberg molecules): Structure (modelling of organic and biochemical molecules). Most chapters are 2(r30 pages in length and survey the literature into 1986. The wide range of these reviews should provide something of relevance for many specialists and much to inform and intrigue all interested in physical chemistry. C. S. McKee
A Theory of the Evolution of Development. By Wallace Arthur. Wiley, Chichester. 1988. f 14.95.
Pp. 94.
To explain development abstractly, Arthur ‘morphogenetic trees’ (MTs) postulates whose nodal points are alleles of D-genes, i.e. genes specific for development. The of Arthur’s MTs possible modes of evolution are discussed in Chapter 2. His choice of MTs is surprising, since in multicellular development an MT(C), whose nodal points are cells, forms by sequential mitoses. and genetic programs could ensure that in each MT(C)-cell a cell-specific (or often even cellunique) combination of enumerable D-genes becomes activated during development. This could lead to cell-specific positional cell surface information (PCSI) for each MT(C)cell, resulting in formation of cell assemblies of many cells with matching PCSI, culminating in morphogenesis (cf. Bulletin of M&ematical Biology, 46,785,1984; 48,661.1986). By contrast, Arthur’s MTs lack genetic programs and explain neither how D-genes could control cell specification and morphogenesis, nor how developmental canalization and coordination arise (p. 13). As Arthur does not explain morphogenesis genetically and physicochemically, he cannot explain how evolutionary D-gene changes could lead to organismic form and pattern changes on which selection can act, Yet this stimulating book provides many valuable insights for aspiring theorists.
G. D. Wassermann
44
Biophysical Chemistry of Membrane Functions. By A. Kotyk, K. JaniiEek and J. Koryta. Pp. 377. Wiley, Chichester. 1988. f45.00. This scholarly and well-written book will provide a useful reference for scientists with an interest in biological membranes and also for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students specializing in the study of membranes. It deals with both biophysical and biological aspects. I thought that the biophysical discussions and derivations were well-balanced and lucid. if a litle intense, and that coverage of biological systems was impressively broad. On the whole. the discussions were up to date. though I am surprised that the crystal structure of a bacterial photosynthetic reaction centre, in view of its impact on our understanding of membrane proteins, and already published in some. detail in 1985, was barely mentioned (and, incidentally the organism was wrongly named). I felt that the book was thoughtfully constructed and that the author has sensibly decided not to include references in the body of the text. This helped the book to flow. although in places and despite qualifying statements implying hypothesis. it may have given misleading impressions. An appropriate selection of ‘Further Reading’. mainly of a review nature, was given at intervals throughout the book. Personally, I would not have extended this avoidance of literature references to the tables of data: though useful. I felt that they were a little devalued, because their experimental source is not easily accessible.
J. B. Jackson Automated Biomonitoring - Living Sensors as Environmental Monitors. Edited by David S. Gruber and Jerome M. Diamond. Ellis Horwood, Chichester Pp. 208. 1988. f.29.50. This is a compilation of papers given at the 1986 meeting of the Society for Experimental Toxicology and Chemistry which relate to the automatic sensing of the aquatic environment. The papers are grouped into three sections, the first of which deals with historical and conceptual aspects and the problems associated with the validation and operation of systems designed for monitoring. The second section concentrates on the relatively well-known use of fish as biological monitors, while the third deals with biological sensors other than fish. including enzyme microcalorimetry. A paper on continous biomonitoring of a domestic water source seems misplaced here. since the test organisms were mainly salmon and trout. In fact. several papers in section 2 could equally well have appeared in section 3 and vice versa. The standard of the papers is excellent, but the index is scanty; this is a pity since it reduces the value of the book for reference by non-specialists. The book is well-produced, with few obvious errors and misprints and is a useful compilation in an area which is relatively
poorly documented at present. There is undoubtedly much in it that would be of interest to anyone with a professional involvement in water quality.
P. D. Coker Evolutionary Processes and Metaphors. Edited by Mae-Wan Ho and Sidney W. Fox. Pp. 333. Wiley, Chichester. 1988. f35.95. The papers in this collection are written in the language of the 1980s. but the issues they address would have been familiar to anyone involved in the debates over the adequacy of Darwinism that raged in the 1890s. Rapid speciation. the ‘permeability’ of Weismann’s barrier between the organism and the germ plasm, the role of developmental constraints and of behavioural innovation - all of these possibilities were discussed by an earlier generation of biologists. As an historian. I cannot comment on the scientific adequacy of these ‘new‘ initiatives. but I must challenge this volume’s claim that nonDarwinian theories offer us a more humane view of nature. Herbert Spencer - the great Victorian ‘social Darwinist’ - was a Lamarckian in his biology. Lamarckians also played a major role in efforts to provide a biological foundation for racism. To assume that a transition to non-Darwinian evolutionism will automatically undermine certain ideological positions is to ignore the lessons of history and substitute simpleminded labels for a proper analysis of these theories’ consequences.
Peter J. Bowler Memory Traces in the Brain. By Daniel L. Alkon. Pp. 190. Cambridge University Press. 1988. Hardback f27.50; Paperback f9.95. The sea snail Hermissertda crassicorrris exhibits a form of associative learning. If the animal is shaken while being exposed to light, it learns to avoid light. This form of learning is adaptive in the animal’s habitat, since the snail needs to swim high enough to get food but low enough. on stormy days. to avoid damage. Daniel Alkon and his coleagues have thoroughly investigated the neural mechanism of this learning. The snail’s nervous system is relatively simple. Individual nerve cells can be identified and named. The purpose of Alkon’s book. copiously illustrated and with bibliographies after each short chapter rather than with conventional scientific citations. is to review this work and summarize it. The story is not always easy to follow. The illustrations are not well linked to the text, and the connection between each chapter and its bibliography is not made clear to a reader who is not already an expert. But the effort will be worthwhile for advanced undergraduates and others with the necessary background information. This type of work. on the biophysics of the simplest nervous systems. is breaking new ground in understanding whole-brain physiology. D. Glljjiutfirn
A Theory of the Evolution of Development. By Wallace Arthur. Wiley, Chichester. 1988. f 14.95.
Pp. 94.
To explain development abstractly, Arthur ‘morphogenetic trees’ (MTs) postulates whose nodal points are alleles of D-genes, i.e. genes specific for development. The of Arthur’s MTs possible modes of evolution are discussed in Chapter 2. His choice of MTs is surprising, since in multicellular development an MT(C), whose nodal points are cells, forms by sequential mitoses. and genetic programs could ensure that in each MT(C)-cell a cell-specific (or often even cellunique) combination of enumerable D-genes becomes activated during development. This could lead to cell-specific positional cell surface information (PCSI) for each MT(C)cell, resulting in formation of cell assemblies of many cells with matching PCSI, culminating in morphogenesis (cf. Bulletin of M&ematical Biology, 46,785,1984; 48,661.1986). By contrast, Arthur’s MTs lack genetic programs and explain neither how D-genes could control cell specification and morphogenesis, nor how developmental canalization and coordination arise (p. 13). As Arthur does not explain morphogenesis genetically and physicochemically, he cannot explain how evolutionary D-gene changes could lead to organismic form and pattern changes on which selection can act, Yet this stimulating book provides many valuable insights for aspiring theorists.
G. D. Wassermann
44
Biophysical Chemistry of Membrane Functions. By A. Kotyk, K. JaniiEek and J. Koryta. Pp. 377. Wiley, Chichester. 1988. f45.00. This scholarly and well-written book will provide a useful reference for scientists with an interest in biological membranes and also for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students specializing in the study of membranes. It deals with both biophysical and biological aspects. I thought that the biophysical discussions and derivations were well-balanced and lucid. if a litle intense, and that coverage of biological systems was impressively broad. On the whole. the discussions were up to date. though I am surprised that the crystal structure of a bacterial photosynthetic reaction centre, in view of its impact on our understanding of membrane proteins, and already published in some. detail in 1985, was barely mentioned (and, incidentally the organism was wrongly named). I felt that the book was thoughtfully constructed and that the author has sensibly decided not to include references in the body of the text. This helped the book to flow. although in places and despite qualifying statements implying hypothesis. it may have given misleading impressions. An appropriate selection of ‘Further Reading’. mainly of a review nature, was given at intervals throughout the book. Personally, I would not have extended this avoidance of literature references to the tables of data: though useful. I felt that they were a little devalued, because their experimental source is not easily accessible.
J. B. Jackson Automated Biomonitoring - Living Sensors as Environmental Monitors. Edited by David S. Gruber and Jerome M. Diamond. Ellis Horwood, Chichester Pp. 208. 1988. f.29.50. This is a compilation of papers given at the 1986 meeting of the Society for Experimental Toxicology and Chemistry which relate to the automatic sensing of the aquatic environment. The papers are grouped into three sections, the first of which deals with historical and conceptual aspects and the problems associated with the validation and operation of systems designed for monitoring. The second section concentrates on the relatively well-known use of fish as biological monitors, while the third deals with biological sensors other than fish. including enzyme microcalorimetry. A paper on continous biomonitoring of a domestic water source seems misplaced here. since the test organisms were mainly salmon and trout. In fact. several papers in section 2 could equally well have appeared in section 3 and vice versa. The standard of the papers is excellent, but the index is scanty; this is a pity since it reduces the value of the book for reference by non-specialists. The book is well-produced, with few obvious errors and misprints and is a useful compilation in an area which is relatively
poorly documented at present. There is undoubtedly much in it that would be of interest to anyone with a professional involvement in water quality.
P. D. Coker Evolutionary Processes and Metaphors. Edited by Mae-Wan Ho and Sidney W. Fox. Pp. 333. Wiley, Chichester. 1988. f35.95. The papers in this collection are written in the language of the 1980s. but the issues they address would have been familiar to anyone involved in the debates over the adequacy of Darwinism that raged in the 1890s. Rapid speciation. the ‘permeability’ of Weismann’s barrier between the organism and the germ plasm, the role of developmental constraints and of behavioural innovation - all of these possibilities were discussed by an earlier generation of biologists. As an historian. I cannot comment on the scientific adequacy of these ‘new‘ initiatives. but I must challenge this volume’s claim that nonDarwinian theories offer us a more humane view of nature. Herbert Spencer - the great Victorian ‘social Darwinist’ - was a Lamarckian in his biology. Lamarckians also played a major role in efforts to provide a biological foundation for racism. To assume that a transition to non-Darwinian evolutionism will automatically undermine certain ideological positions is to ignore the lessons of history and substitute simpleminded labels for a proper analysis of these theories’ consequences.
Peter J. Bowler Memory Traces in the Brain. By Daniel L. Alkon. Pp. 190. Cambridge University Press. 1988. Hardback f27.50; Paperback f9.95. The sea snail Hermissertda crassicorrris exhibits a form of associative learning. If the animal is shaken while being exposed to light, it learns to avoid light. This form of learning is adaptive in the animal’s habitat, since the snail needs to swim high enough to get food but low enough. on stormy days. to avoid damage. Daniel Alkon and his coleagues have thoroughly investigated the neural mechanism of this learning. The snail’s nervous system is relatively simple. Individual nerve cells can be identified and named. The purpose of Alkon’s book. copiously illustrated and with bibliographies after each short chapter rather than with conventional scientific citations. is to review this work and summarize it. The story is not always easy to follow. The illustrations are not well linked to the text, and the connection between each chapter and its bibliography is not made clear to a reader who is not already an expert. But the effort will be worthwhile for advanced undergraduates and others with the necessary background information. This type of work. on the biophysics of the simplest nervous systems. is breaking new ground in understanding whole-brain physiology. D. Glljjiutfirn