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Title: Iron, Nature's Universal Element: Why People Need Iron & Animals Make Magnets by Eugenie Vorburger Mielczarek, Sharon Bertsch McGrayne ISBN: 0-8135-2831-3 Publisher: Rutgers University Press Pub. Date: August, 2000 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $30.00

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Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (3 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: Iron, the unsung story of this element in biological systems
Comment: This book, written by physicist Eugenie Vorburger Mielczarek and science writer Sharon Berstch McGrayne, covers the wide-ranging role of iron in living organisms ranging from the early forms of life to the plants and animals of today. The treatment includes not only sufficient scientific background material to explain the processes, but also interesting details about the investigators who were involved in the key discoveries along the way. It is aimed at general readership and reviews studies which are not widely known to nonspecialists.

The result is a fascinating story of way starting from the way in which life may have first emerged in an oxygen-poor environment at thermal springs in the sea, possibly involving complex organic molecules containing iron and sulfur. Later, as plants evolved to be capable of photosynthesis, the oxygen content of the atmosphere gradually increased. This had a huge impact on both the chemical composition of the oceans as well as leading to the evolution of complex plants and animals. The way in which iron plays an essential role in facilitating the efficient use of oxygen to provide energy in animals is discussed in this book in a way which would enable the nonscientist to grasp the fundamentals of these processes. In addition, the dramatic dire consequences to plants and animals growing in iron-deficient environments is pointed out.

Finally, this book addresses the mystery of animal migration in birds and other animals. This unusual phenomenon appears to be associated with earth's magnetic field in some cases. The discovery of magnetite (a crystalline form of iron oxide which is magnetic) crystals in the brains of some birds and fish points to a possible mechanism whereby magnetic effects can be associated with the direction-finding capabilities of some organisms. The ability of organisms to "maufacture" magnetic inorganic crystals certainly does appear remarkable.

Thus, readers of this book will be exposed to a engrossing treatment of the many ways in which the element iron has played an essential part in important biological processes and phenomena.

Rating: 5
Summary: fascinating info on iron
Comment: a book which comprises in a language accessible to all many different and important discoveries about the necessity for iron on the earth. many fascinating interviews with the scientists who did the research. It teaches much about a variety of disciplines; chemistry, biology, geology, physics, oceanography and others. very interesting and easy to understand. IF the composition of the world and its organisms fascinates you, you must read this book.

Rating: 5
Summary: What Our Professors Never Told Us
Comment: This fascinating book is about the often-neglected but vitally important roles of iron in biology. Each chapter is discreet, easily read, exciting, and thought-provoking. For example, until reading this book, I did not realize that the growth of prehistoric life was limited by bacteria's ability to acquire iron. A chapter describes how early life used reduced iron for energy because oxygen was not yet available. Other, more modern chapter topics include biological magnets, hemochromatosis, and the devastating effects of iron deficiency anemia in 3rd world.

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