Evolution in a Toxic World : How Life Responds to Chemical Threats / by Emily Monosson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Monosson, Emily.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Environmental chemistry.

Chemistry.

Radiation dosimetry.

Animal culture.

Biotic communities.

Environmental Chemistry.

Radiation Dosimetry and Protection.

Animal Science.

Ecosystems.

Local Subjects:

Environmental Chemistry.

Chemistry.

Radiation Dosimetry and Protection.

Animal Science.

Ecosystems.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (240 p.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2012.

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : Island Press/Center for Resource Economics : Imprint: Island Press, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

With BPA in baby bottles, mercury in fish, and lead in computer monitors, the world has become a toxic place. But as Emily Monosson demonstrates in her groundbreaking new book, it has always been toxic. When oxygen first developed in Earth's atmosphere, it threatened the very existence of life: now we literally can't live without it. According to Monosson, examining how life adapted to such early threats can teach us a great deal about today's (and tomorrow's) most dangerous contaminants. While the study of evolution has advanced many other sciences, from conservation biology to medicine, the field of toxicology has yet to embrace this critical approach. In Evolution in a Toxic World, Monosson seeks to change that. She traces the development of life's defense systems—the mechanisms that transform, excrete, and stow away potentially harmful chemicals—from more than three billion years ago to today. Beginning with our earliest ancestors' response to ultraviolet radiation, Monosson explores the evolution of chemical defenses such as antioxidants, metal binding proteins, detoxification, and cell death. As we alter the world's chemistry, these defenses often become overwhelmed faster than our bodies can adapt. But studying how our complex internal defense network currently operates, and how it came to be that way, may allow us to predict how it will react to novel and existing chemicals. This understanding could lead to not only better management and preventative measures, but possibly treatment of current diseases. Development of that knowledge starts with this pioneering book.

Contents:

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. An Introduction

Part 1: Element. 2. Shining a Light on Earth’s Oldest Toxic Threat?

3. When Life Gives You Oxygen, Respire

4. Metal Planet

Part 2: Plant and Animal. 5. It Takes Two (or More) for the Cancer Tango

6. Chemical Warfare

7. Sensing Chemicals

8. Coordinated Defense

Part 3: Human. 9. Toxic Evolution

10. Toxic Overload?

Appendix: Five Recent Additions to the Chemical Handbook of Life Notes

Selected Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781597263412

1597263419

9781610912211

1610912217

OCLC:

923188113