Seed to Seed: The Secret Life of Plants.SEED TO SEED: The Secret Life of Plants NICHOLAS HARBERD In brief diary entries spanning 2004, Harberd reveals his passion for botany botany, science devoted to the study of plants. Botany, microbiology, and zoology together compose the science of biology. Humanity's earliest concern with plants was with their practical uses, i.e., for fuel, clothing, shelter, and, particularly, food and drugs. as he details his observations of thale-cress--lab scientists' favorite plant--in its natural habitat in an English cemetery. He describes not only the genetics of the species but also its beauty within its ecological niche Noun 1. ecological niche - (ecology) the status of an organism within its environment and community (affecting its survival as a species) niche bionomics, environmental science, ecology - the branch of biology concerned with the relations between organisms . Throughout the book, Harberd includes evocative e·voc·a·tive adj. Tending or having the power to evoke. e·voc  a·tive·ly adv. musings on nature as a whole, commenting, for instance, on the differences in the light encountered in California versus that in his native England and on the slow attack of a slug on a plant. The scientist also includes explanations of cell division and genetics detailed enough to discuss mRNA and stop codons stop codonn. Any of three codons, UAA, UAG, or UGA, that signal the termination of the synthesis of a protein. Also called chain termination codon. . Illustrated with more than 40 black-and-white sketches, this is an illuminating glimpse of a dedicated scientist at work. Walker, 2006, 320 p., b&w images, hardcover, $24.95. |
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