On Biomineralization

by Heinz A. Lowenstam, Stephen Weiner

Overview

Focusing on the basic principles of mineral formation by organisms, this comprehensive volume explores questions that relate to a wide variety of fields, from biology and biochemistry, to paleontology, geology, and medical research. Preserved fossils are used to date geological deposits and archaeological artifacts. Materials scientists investigate mineralized tissues to determine the design principles used by organisms to form strong materials. Many medical problems are also associated with normal and pathological mineralization. Lowenstam, the pioneer researcher in biomineralization, and Weiner discuss the basic principles of mineral formation by organisms and compare various mineralization processes. Reference tables listing all known cases in which organisms form minerals are included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195049770
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/06/1989
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.96(d)

About the Author

California Institute of Technology

Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot

Table of Contents

1. Introduction2. Minerals and Macromolecules3. Biomineralization Processes4. Protoctista5. Cnidaria6. Mollusca7. Arthropoda8. Echinodermata9. Chordata10. Some Non-Skeletal Functions in Biomineralization11. Environmental Influences on Biomineralization12. Evolution of Biomineralization

Editorial Reviews

"Remarkably readable . . . . The ability of organisms to mould the form of minerals coming out of solution is at times almost literally incredible. I found myself turning the pages with rather naive excitement, wondering 'whatever next?' " —Nature

"Lowenstam and Weiner's book will be an excellent source on biomineralization for researchers in a variety of areas. The material is organized effectively along both biological (phyla) and functional lines. The basic format is that of a major review article, with liberal use of references to original literature. Much of the pertinent data is organized into tables, and extensive use is made of electron micrographs and line drawings . . . . The style of the book is consistently readable, and the text, photographs, and drawings are well produced. The volume will be of primary use to graduate and research libraries in biology, medicine, and geology, and will be of limited use to undergraduates." —Choice

"Chapters 2 and 3 . . . . along with the three final chapters, on nonskeletal functions in biomineralization, and the evolution of biomineralization, are worth the price of the book by themselves. The authors give the most coherent analysis of the evolutionary development of biominerals this reviewer has ever had the pleasure to read. The intervening chapters on the specific systems are well done and beautifully illustrated." —Science

"The mineral kingdom shares with the living ones a frontier more convoluted than any road that winds across the mountains of Transylvania. In this comprehensive yet compact volume, two investigators....present a wide view of the tangled discipline." —Scientific American

"This excellent book, by two of the most prominent workers in the field, details the processes and products of biomineralization of living and fossil organisms . . . . There is a wealth of new and newly synthesized information, including dozens of previously unpublished scanning electron micrographs . . . . This lucid and remarkably wide-ranging volume will provide a fine basis for the work to come." —Journal of Geology

"The early record of life on Earth cannot be deciphered and understood without a good, probably much better than currently possible, grasp of the workings of biologically induced and biologically controlled mineralization . . . . Paleontologists should therefore be particularly grateful to Heinz Lowenstam and Stephen Weiner for undertaking the task of providing us with a full-blown monograph of the subject, covering the whole scope of the field and supplying, almost en passant, a bibliography of more than a thousand references . . . . a very broad perspective on the biological use of mineral substances, both crystalline and amorphous . . . . excellent and really indispensable for the paleontologist." —Palaontologie

"Provides an excellent introduction to the many aspects of the field, with extensive references to the literature. The text is generally very readable, with a smooth flow of words, and not excessively formal. Throughout the work the enthusiasm of the authors and their fascination with the topic shine through. Line drawings and photographs are well reproduced. The book is well bound and shouls survive frequent use." —Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology

From the Publisher