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  1. Home
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  3. Kinetic Theory of Living Pattern
  • Cited by 69
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
September 2009
Print publication year:
1993
Online ISBN:
9780511529726
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511529726
Subjects:
Life Sciences, Cell Biology and Developmental Biology
Series:
Developmental and Cell Biology Series (28)
Information

Book description

Development of the shapes of living organisms and their parts is a field of science in which there are no generally accepted theoretical principles. What form these principles are likely to take, when they emerge, is a subject in which there is a wide gulf of disagreement between physical scientists and experimental biologists. This book contains both an extensive philosophical commentary on this dichotomy in views and an exposition of the type of theory most favoured by physical scientists. In this theory living form is a manifestation of the dynamics of chemical change and physical transport or other physics of spatial communication. The reaction-diffusion theory, as initiated by Turing in 1952 and since elaborated by Prigogine and by Gierer and Meinhardt among others, is discussed in detail at a level that requires a good knowledge of a first course in calculus, but no more than that.

Reviews

"A recurrent theme throughout the book is the need for communication across disciplines and Harrison draws analogy, wherever possible, with problems in physical chemistry, the area in which he started his scientific career....aimed at experimental biologists who wish to understand the basics of reaction-diffusion theory and for mathematicians who wish to communicate with biologists....the diverse range of phenomena discussed in basic terms make this book worthwhile reading." Philip K. Maini, Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

"...a discursive yet engaging manner. Those who would like a qualitative introduction to the subject should read the first third of the book; the second third is a good introduction to quantitative reasoning; the last third shows how accurately morphogenesis has been modeled." Edward Cox, Science

"...a very distinctive feel to it. It is the work of a teacher and scholar who does not mind revealing his (and others') prejudices, successes, and failures. Harrison writes in a discursive yet engaging manner." Edward Cox, Science

"...[a] brave book." R.J.P. Williams, Journal of the American Chemical Society

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