Life at the Limits: Organisms in Extreme Environments [Hardcover]

David A. Wharton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521782120 | ISBN-13: 978-0521782128 | Publication Date: February 25, 2002

Frogs that freeze solid, worms that dry out, and bacteria that survive temperatures over 100°C are all organisms that have an extreme biology, which involves many aspects of their physiology, ecology, and evolution. These organisms live in seemingly impossible places and exhibit fascinating behavior. In this captivating account, the reader is taken on a tour of extreme environments, and shown the remarkable abilities of organisms to survive a range of extreme conditions, such as high and low temperatures and desiccation. Examples include:

Hydrothermal vents

Hot and cold deserts

Polar regions

hot springs

alpine and winter temperate environments

ocean depths, salt lakes, soda lakes, and estuarine muds, among other environments. Life at the Limits considers how organisms survive major stresses, and what extreme organisms can tell us about the origin of life and the possibilities of extraterrestrial life. David Wharton is a Senior Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. He has focused his research on the survival abilities of nematodes, resulting in the publication of over 75 research papers and one book, The Functional Biology of Nematodes (Croom Helm, 1986). His contribution to research was recognized by the award of the degree Doctor of Science by the University of Bristol in 1997. Recently, Wharton has become interested in the popularization of science through his involvement in the establishment of a Postgraduate Diploma in Natural History, Filmmaking and Communication, a collaboration between the University of Otago and Natural History New Zealand, a producer of natural history films based in Dunedin.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Engaging" Oceanography

"I know that my students and I will enjoy consulting this book in the years to come for its coverage, enjoyable style and background material." Nature

"Aimed at the scientifically knowledgeable, as well as those with a basic knowledge of biology, the volume is packed with information for all levels of general audiences and for high school and college students. With an extensive bibliography and glossary of terms, the book can be used effectively as a teaching aid. The fascinating account of the seemingly impossible places where life is possible and the speculations on the origin of life and extraterrestrial life make this book compelling reading." Science Books and Films

"Interesting discussion on what these organisms can tell us about the origins of life and the possibilities of finding life on other planets." Northeastern Naturalist

"A fascinating biological study." Paper Clips

Book Description

In this fascinating account, David Wharton takes the reader on a tour of extreme environments, and shows how some organisms have the remarkable ability to survive a range of extreme conditions, such as high and low temperatures, high pressures, acidity and desiccation. The astonishing array of different responses and adaptations that extreme organisms have evolved to cope with their environment are explored, as are the implications for our understanding of the origin of life and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (February 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521782120
• ISBN-13: 978-0521782128
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,886,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Melissa G's of kodiak review, April 14, 2008

By 

M. Garner "Melissa G. thoughts" (Kodiak, AK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life at the Limits: Organisms in Extreme Environments (Paperback)

This book was a very informative book would be a great book for someone who wants to know more about extreme environments. Or is going into a microbiology class, as it explains many concepts very well. There were many interesting facts, but sometimes it was very dry and hard to get interested in. I think for someone who has no interest in this topic this book would be very boring and impossible to read. If you have great interest in this topic it will be a great book to read but possilbly to elementary. I think it was designed for someone interested but did not know a lot about the subject. Overall it got the information out there but not very well.