Cell Differentiation by J. M. Ashworth; Cellular Development by D. R. Garrod; Functions ofBiological Membranes by M. Davies; Biochemical Genetics by R. A. WoodsReview by: William V. MayerThe Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 49, No. 3 (Sep., 1974), p. 251Published by: The University of Chicago PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2822831 .

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SEPTEMBER 1974] NEW BIOLOGICAL BOOKS 251

As far as the series as a whole is concerned, it does indeed provide a fair representation of the most important facets of theoretical biology today, although I still feel that the first volume in the series should be read last. Most important, it captures the spirit of excitement and enterprise which characterizes this growing field. In all, Waddington has performed a unique and historic service in undertaking to organize the IUBS Symposia and to produce this series of volumes; he deserves the profound thanks of all those concerned with developing our understanding of living systems and their place in the world.

ROBERT ROSEN, Center for Theoretical Biology, State University of New York, Buffalo

PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD CONFERENCE ON ORIGINS OF

LIFE. Volume III: Planetary Astronomy. Edited by Lynn Margulis. Springer-Verlag, New York, Heidelberg, and Berlin. $14.80 xi + 268 p.; ill.; subject index. 1973.

CONTENTS: The Moon. The lunar surface, Composition of lunar rocks, Lunar craters and the regolith, Lunar glass, History and age of the moon, Organic chemistry of lunar samples, Origin of moon by capture, Micro- biology of lunar samples. Mars. Problems of relevance to the origin of life, Martian atmosphere from ground-based observations, Martian atmosphere from Mariner 6 and 7 observations, Nitrogen in the atmosphere of Mars, Lower atmosphere, haze, and brightenings, The Martian surface, Martian craters, weathering, and the Martian atmosphere, Goals of future explorations.

This is the stenographic report of an informal round-table conference held in California, Feb. 27- Mar. 1, 1970, and attended by 19 leading scientists from various universities and space-research estab- lishments in the United States. So rapid has been the pace of the space program in the last few years, particularly in regard to our knowledge of the moon and Mars, that this book loses much of its value for the general reader. It may be pointed out that this conference was pre-Apollo 13-17, and pre-Mariner 9. Another problem with this type of impromptu material is a somewhat haphazard order of presenta- tion, repetition in off-the-cuff remarks, and a lack of most of the illustrations to which the text refers. Probably the chief value of the work is to serve as an example of how groups of physical scientists and biologists react with each other in their attempts to synthesize our rapidly expanding knowledge of the planets in the solar system.

PETER M. MILLMAN, Astrophysics Branch, National Research Council of Canada

CELL DIFFERENTIATION. Outline Studies in Biology. By J. M. Ashworth. Chapman and Hall, London. $2.75

(paper). 64 p.; ill.; index. 1973. CELLULAR DEVELOPMENT. Outline Studies in Biology.

By D. R. Garrod. Chapman and Hall, London. $2.75 (paper). 64 p.; ill.; index. 1973.

FUNCTIONS OF BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES. Outline Studies in Biology.

By M. Davies. Chapman and Hall, London. $2.75 (paper). 62 p.; ill.; index. 1973.

BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS. Outline Studies in Biology. By R. A. Woods. Chapman and Hall, London. $2.75 (paper). 64 p.; ill.; index. 1973.

At first glance these seem simply shorter versions of the books in the Prentice-Hall Foundations of Modern Biology; Holt, Rinehart & Winston's Modern Biology; or Houghton-Mifflin's Principles of Modern Biology series. However, these are not volumes for the begin- ner, but rather for someone in his final years as an undergraduate or his first years as a graduate. The major concern of the series is to produce a brief outline of the current research at the frontiers of the topic treated. The attempt is to produce authori- tative introductions to areas of modern biological research either not included or not dealt with in sufficient detail in introductory texts. Using these titles as guidebooks, the student can then be expected to read more detailed reviews and articles from the reference list included. The series further concen- trates on interdisciplinary areas in the editor's belief that this is where the gap between the textbook and the research paper is widest and where guidance is most greatly needed.

The concept of short guides to extend or to supple- ment major textbooks and to bring advanced students up to date in a variety of fields is good and is well executed. The authors seem to have command of their content and to make their objectives clear. For example, the volume on Functions of Biological Mem- branes considers function from physiochemical, physi- ological, conceptual, and mechanistic views. Chemical and electrical views of ion transport are presented as consistent. The opposing viewpoints concerning active transport are left unreconciled. In Cell Dif- ferentiation, concentration is on its biochemical and molecular aspects with a definition of conceptual and experimental problems, including that of relating controls over macromolecular synthesis to control of metabolic activity. Cellular Development presents pat- tern formation from both experimental and theoreti- cal viewpoints. Morphogenesis is considered as a problem of the mechanism and control of cell move- ment. Biochemical Genetics emphasizes the historical development of the principles now being employed and extends from the genetic systems of Neurospora and the genetic code to genetic control of metabolism. These lucid and contemporary short guides should find broad application among those wishing more information on the specific topics covered.

WILLIAM V. MAYER, Biology, University of Colorado

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