Thieves, Deceivers, and Killers: Tales of Chemistry in Nature

(Paperback)

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Description

The tobacco plant synthesizes nicotine to protect itself from herbivores. The female moth broadcasts sex pheromones to attract a mate, while a soldier ant deploys an alarm pheromone to call for help. The carbon dioxide on a mammal's breath beckons hungry ticks and mosquitoes, while a flower's fragrance speaks to the honey bee. Indeed, much of the communication that occurs within and between various species of organisms is done not by sight, sound or touch, but with chemicals. From mating to parenting, foraging to self-defence, plant and animal activities are accomplished largely by the secretion or exchange of organic chemicals. The fast-developing science that encompasses these diverse phenomena is introduced in this text in a series of stories accessible to the general reader but which should also be of interest to chemists and biologists.

Reviews

"In a detailed yet highly readable examination, more akin to a collection of short stories than a dry, scholarly inquiry, Agosta... illuminates the role of chemicals in nature... [This is] good, enlightening reading on biology... [S]hould appeal to a broad audience..."--Publisher's Weekly "From the venom that spiders use to kill their prey to the alarm pheromes that earthworms release to warn other worms of danger, Agosta explores nature's surprisingly complex and potent pharmacopoeia."--Booklist "Without becoming highly technical, Agosta offers an in-depth look at the natural world of plants and animals in a clear, interesting style that makes a complicated subject very easy to understand. Highly recommended for anyone who wishes to better understand the natural world and the part played by the various organisms humans encounter in all corners of Earth."--Choice "Beautifully written, Thieves, Deceivers, and Killers has a cast full of plant and animal stars... Stunning."--Jonathan Beard, New Scientist "A collection of fascinating stories... Readers familiar with the author's work will find the same engaging style of writing that the nonscientist can easily understand."--Library Journal "The book is a delight to read. Each of the stories is told well and many are full of surprises."--Elizabeth A. Bernays, The Quarterly Review of Biology "This is a delightful book... [It] will fascinate the high school and college biology student and teacher."--Susan J. Karcher, American Biology Teacher

Author Bio

William Agosta is Professor Emeritus at Rockefeller University and a Visiting Investigator at the University of Washington's Friday Harbor Laboratory. He is the author of Chemical Communication and Bombardier Beetles and Fever Trees.