Looking for good biology books - (Jul/31/2008 )
Hey,
I'm fresh into the world of biology, just finishing my final high school class of biology iv realized i absolutely loved it. My goal from when i was entering grade 7 has been to become a doctor, more specifically a surgeon....and eventually neurologist / brain surgeon.
My question for today is, do any of you know of any good books, novels which tell about the human anatomy specific parts of the body, function and molecular formulas? I'm looking for just a nice read but also very educational and intellectual for my quest in continuing on reaching my goal as becoming a surgeon, just for common knowledge.
Thanks,
Sam.
hello 
hope u'll find wht you are looking for in this site :-
http://biobooke.blogspot.com/
Hey,
Thanks for the link, i hope these are all novels and not text books, i was wondering if anyone else might have a link or good books to write down for me?
Thanks!
Thanks for the link, i hope these are all novels and not text books, i was wondering if anyone else might have a link or good books to write down for me?
Thanks!
i did't see novel there Mayhem....................There are more than 100 biology books ..open ur eyes Mayhemmmm
i recommend this site
I'm new to the website obviously, so i don't quite know where everything is. I just need a few good sources for general knowledge, and preparation for University Life Science at either McMaster or Toronto Universities.
Sam-
Unfortunately, novels are not going to give you what you are looking for. Most novels which include any aspect of biology or science have only a small smear of truth. These authors are needing to appeal to a wide audience, including those who know nothing of these topics. More times than not I get frustrated when reading novels that attempt aspects of biology because the author takes the truth, twists it and sensationalizes it and then writes the book. It must be written is such a way that readers, even those with absolutely no biology background, can follow the story and by this point there is only a minor (if any) smudge of truth left. Authors are trying to make money by selling books so they can't eliminate a large portion of their audience (the general public) by going into too much detail scientifically.
If this course truly lit a passion in you, novels are not how you want to continue exploring. Pick up an introductory Anatomy and Physiology textbook and just read about the different systems. I'll tell you, this is what secured my place in science. The night I learned (and truly understood) how muscles work on a molecular level, I was blown away. It's so beautiful and an incredible design. I sat there opening and closing my hand imagining how the thousands of individual actin and myosin connections and strokes could allow my entire body the freedom and power it has. Neurons were my next favorite and if this is where your interest lies, find out how a neuron works! Do you know that a neuron firing and hence your entire ability to move, think, perceive, respond (and well, live) is based on a wave of charge differences inside a cell? It's so amazing!! If a textbook seems too intimidating, then just search the web. There are tons of websites designed to give introductory information. Plus you will get the advantage of demonstrations and movies which can greatly help.
Unfortunately, novels are not going to give you what you are looking for. Most novels which include any aspect of biology or science have only a small smear of truth. These authors are needing to appeal to a wide audience, including those who know nothing of these topics. More times than not I get frustrated when reading novels that attempt aspects of biology because the author takes the truth, twists it and sensationalizes it and then writes the book. It must be written is such a way that readers, even those with absolutely no biology background, can follow the story and by this point there is only a minor (if any) smudge of truth left. Authors are trying to make money by selling books so they can't eliminate a large portion of their audience (the general public) by going into too much detail scientifically.
If this course truly lit a passion in you, novels are not how you want to continue exploring. Pick up an introductory Anatomy and Physiology textbook and just read about the different systems. I'll tell you, this is what secured my place in science. The night I learned (and truly understood) how muscles work on a molecular level, I was blown away. It's so beautiful and an incredible design. I sat there opening and closing my hand imagining how the thousands of individual actin and myosin connections and strokes could allow my entire body the freedom and power it has. Neurons were my next favorite and if this is where your interest lies, find out how a neuron works! Do you know that a neuron firing and hence your entire ability to move, think, perceive, respond (and well, live) is based on a wave of charge differences inside a cell? It's so amazing!! If a textbook seems too intimidating, then just search the web. There are tons of websites designed to give introductory information. Plus you will get the advantage of demonstrations and movies which can greatly help.
Wow,
Finally an amazing response, thank you very much rkay447, ever since cellular respiration in my grade 12 biology class i'v been hooked on science and wanted to continue my goal of eventually becoming a surgeon. The amazing thing that caught my eye was how we can turn glucose into energy throught the body with glycolysis, the krebs cycle, and E.T.S. The specific proteins in E.T.S just amazed me by the H+ ions being shot out to create a balance inside the cell. The creation of Acetly CoA also amazed me by using the pyruvates at the end of glycolysis, frankly i just LOVE biology and want to continue learning about like you said muscles and how they work.
Sam.
I think it would be more fun watching movies than reading textbook.
Please check this link http://www.protocol-online.org/forums/inde...showtopic=19967
for a number of educational biology movies.
Why not learn "doodle diagrams?" Any text book would have these or you can get colouring-in books of anatomy and physiology. Your target is to be able to reproduce a cartoon within a few minutes.
The synsapse that so interests you, for instance, can be a little boy's face with buck teeth (ACoA receptors on the post-synaptic nerve), a runny nose (neurotransmitter release) even freckles on that runny nose (ACoA vesicles inside the pre-synaptic nerve). The wee boy even has a spot (zit) on the side of his runny nose (Ca channel, important for nerve conduction).
When I draw this doodle I always give the boy eyes just before I finsih but I'm not sure that I've ever really worked out what they represent other than they complete the picture and raise a giggle with students.
I once designed a garden fence that was simply the repeating unit of the actin-myosin muscle complex. My fence never contracted, though. Perhaps I should have used barbed wire to represent the troponins.
Aside of books, you may get something out of reading obituaries of scientist/medics and Nobel Prize reveiwws. These give delightful summaries of a lifetimes work and comment on the impact it made. Finally, what about the "Brief History of Everything, " titles. The "Popular Science" section at the bookshop will have a number of books for you, too.
you can check http://www.freebiobook.co.cc/
hope it will help u