Principles of Science – serie

Microbiology is the study of the invisible world of microorganisms, organisms so small that microscopes and other special equipment are needed to directly observe them. They play a crucial role in maintaining the Earth's atmosphere and help decompose organic matter. Microbiology plays a role in a great variety of areas, including optimizing soil for agriculture, developing preservatives and pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, and developing climate change models. The discovery of microbes was instrumental in controlling infectious disease outbreaks that had, for centuries, wiped out entire populations.

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers to enhance the design process for a wide variety of products and applications. It is used in the automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries as well as in industrial and architectural design. CAD is also used in designing medical prosthetic devices and to produce computer animation and special effects in the film industry.

This volume introduces students and researchers to the fundamental concepts of fire science. Using easy-to-understand language, it provides a solid background, and help readers develop a meaningful understanding and appreciation of this important and evolving topic.

This volume introduces students and researchers to the science of human performance and health. It focuses on how a healthy human body works during exercise and how sports and physical activity promote health and performance, ranging from the cellular level to whole body perspectives. Coverage also includes exercise physiology, sports psychology, human anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, biokinetics, diet, the nature and pathology of sport injuries, and injury rehabilitation.

This volume introduces students and researchers to the fundamental concepts of aeronautics, the science involved with the creation and flying of air flight–capable machines. Written in accessible language, this volume aims to help readers develop a meaningful understanding of this exciting and evolving topic. Aeronautics is the branch of applied science that studies the technical and environmental variables as well as the physics that comprise the ongoing development and history of aeronautics. Throughout history men have dreamed of flying. Depictions of what can only be described as “flying machines” are found in ancient art; many of these have striking similarities to some of the most modern flying machines. This volume presents such subjects as flight principles, aerodynamics, the history of flight, aircraft types, and many others, allowing readers to acquire a sound knowledge base for their understanding of aeronautics in the real world. Entries include a Fields of Study section related to the particular topic; an Abstract that provides a brief, concrete summary of the topic; Key Concepts important to a proper understanding of the topic; a detailed essay that provides an explanation of the background and significance of the topic; and Further Reading lists of up-to-date references that relate to each entry. Entries are arranged alphabetically to make it easy to locate topics. Entries in Principles of Aeronautics range from one to five pages in length. Topics discussed include: Aircraft design Propulsion systems Flight in ancient history and mythology Aircraft types Air transport Military applications Atmospheric effects Composite materials in aeronautics Space applications Fuels Fire suppression and extinguishment Historical events Historical personages and other relevant topics. The volume also includes a number of helpful appendixes, including: A Glossary that defines all of the key specialized terms that are used throughout the book A comprehensive general Bibliography and list of Further Reading entries, comprising the works authors drew upon in composing their entries as well as sources for further study A Subject Index that offers multiple points of entry for readers The amount of material that could be drawn from for the articles in this volume is immense. With approximately only 125 individual essays, this new volume gives readers a solid overview of aeronautics and the major concepts and contemporary issues surrounding the role of aeronautics in the world. An invaluable resource for students at the high school and undergraduate levels, especially those considering careers relevant to aeronautics.

This new volume explores a wide variety of topics in modern agriculture. From the use of big data and new technologies for monitoring water levels and weather, to the use of biotechnology in seed production and new non-chemical ways to control pests and weeds, this volume provides students and researchers with new and interesting ways to look at agricultural production in modern society. Will our farmers be able to produce enough food to support the growing population? What is the future of our water supply and our soil health? How will climate change affect agricultural production? How do sustainable practices affect prices and growth rates?

This new resource introduces students and researchers to the fundamentals of pharmacology using easy-to-understand language, to provide a solid background, and help readers develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of this important and evolving subject.Pharmacology is a branch of biology that studies the interaction of drugs and living organisms to better understand how they can affect biochemical function. Today, pharmacologists rely on genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry in the quest to develop effective, personalized medicine.In over 120 articles arranged in A to Z order, Principles of Pharmacology addresses a variety of topics in this field. Entries related to basic principles and concepts include fields of study related to the topic; an abstract that provides a brief, concrete summary of the topic; key concepts important to a proper understanding of the topic; text that gives an explanation of the background and significance; illustrations that clarify difficult concepts via models, diagrams, and charts; and further reading lists that relate to each entry.

Principles of Zoology is the sixteenth title in the Principles of Science series. This new resource introduces students and researchers to the fundamentals of zoology using easy-to-understand language, to provide a solid background, and help readers develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of this important and evolving subject.The subject matter of zoology is not limited to just the number and kinds of animal life on Earth. It includes all possible aspects of what defines any particular animal species and its role in the natural world. What gives an animal species its identity, both as a species and as a unique individual within that spe­cies? Where does it live, and how does it live where it lives? What are its relationships to the other animals in its environment, and to the environment itself? What does it eat? What eats it? How does it repro­duce?...and so on. So many questions in such a small word! So what, then, is meant by zoology? Nothing more, or less, than “study of living things.” It is a sci­ence as varied as the myriad of living things this world contains in the present, that it has contained in the past, and that it will contain in the future.The volume provides high school and college students with a history of zoology from ancient to modern times, including the transformation work of Thomas Henry Huxley, who brought the teaching of zoology out of the lecture hall and into the laboratory.Designed for students and researchers, this volume provides new ways to think about and study issues, policies, and practices in zoology. This will be a helpful addition to science and environmental programs at the high school, community college, and university levels.