Scientific American the Amateur Biologist

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471382817
• ISBN13: 9780471382812
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Wiley (TP)
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

For HS and above

In the Product details section, it says the reading level is for ages 4-8. Do not believe this. These are articles from the magazine "SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN" and are beyond this level. I would recommend it for High School and above. The book has less of step by step experiments and more on creating ways to get you started on whatever project you desire to do. It explains how to create equipment that could cost a lot of money and simplifies advanced techniques so that the projects are easier to do at home. This does not mean you have everything you need for the projects in your home, but that you will be able to improvise and do it cheaper than buying all your materials for a supply house. It also tells you where you can buy some of the more specialized equipment. This book ranges from cultivating algae to fruit flies to electrophoresis to studying metabolism and effects of high altitude. I highly recommended it for people who enjoy puttering in a homemade lab.