This book uses the history of cell theory to explore the emergence of biology as a distinct field in its own right—separate from anatomy, physiology, and natural history. It also explores nineteenth- and twentieth-century ideas about heredity and development and the progress that was made at the turn of the century when they began to be studied on their own—leading to new understandings of a variety of biological problems, from evolution to cancer.
Investigating this story will help readers gain an appreciation of the historical development of scientific ideas. It beautifully illustrates that the process of science is not as straightforward as it is usually portrayed. One of the important lessons of this intriguing story is that "facts" do not necessarily speak for themselves, and observations always need to be interpreted.
This book uses the history of cell theory to explore the emergence of biology as a distinct field in its own right—separate from anatomy, physiology, and natural history.
Recenzijos
"Reading Lyonss superb book on the history of cells and their relation to organisms provides a much more complex story that shows how mid-19th-century outlooks became modified and raised new questions about the meaning of the terms cell and organism, between reductionist and holistic or organicist approaches to study the cell in its relation to heredity and development."
- Elof Axel Carlson (The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 96, No. 2) "In addition to offering an intriguing challenge to cell theory, this book also provides an enjoyable history of multiple scientific disciplines. By considering theories that are well accepted and theories that have been rejected, Lyons reminds the reader that data are subject to human interpretation, and that we must therefore never stop being curious and questioning of even the most ingrained ideas."
- C. Kale (Choice)
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
1. Microscopes and the Discovery of the Cell
2. The Physical Basis of Life
3. The Cell as the Unit of Heredity and Development
4. The Cell Theory in Development
5. Progress in Understanding Heredity
6. Organisms, Ebryonic Induction, and Morphogenetic Fields
7. Twoness
8. How Does a Chicken become an Egg: Evo Devo and Ecodevo
Epilogue
Appendix
Milestones and Controversies in the History of Cell Theory
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Sherrie L. Lyons is the author of numerous books on the history of biology, including Evolution: The Basics and Species, Spirits, Serpents, and Skulls: Science at the Margins in the Victorian Age.
