Biology for a New Liberal Arts (Revised Edition) Book Review
Written by Koji Akasaka, Shokabo, November 2023, 164 pages, 2400 yen (excluding tax)
This book provides a simple explanation of various biological phenomena through the lens of molecules, occasionally incorporating cutting-edge and advanced topics to create a comprehensive volume. There is no doubt that the content is useful for many undergraduate biology students (and, according to the preface, it is indeed adopted as a textbook at many universities), and it would also be an excellent read for those who have previously studied biology at the university level to review the subject.
Chapter 1 is titled "Molecules Composing Living Organisms" and introduces water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and inorganic substances from the perspective of their relationship with living organisms. Chapter 2 focuses on proteins, explaining how they play fundamental roles in life activities using three-dimensional structure as a key concept. Chapter 3 introduces the structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, with a particular focus on organelles. Chapter 4 explains the functions of enzymes, with a focus on the most critical topics: substrate specificity and feedback regulation. Chapter 5 covers metabolism, starting with an explanation of ATP, followed by respiration, fermentation, photosynthesis, and nitrogen assimilation. Chapter 6 describes inter-cellular material transport (such as active and passive transport), the cytoskeleton, and cell adhesion. Chapter 7 explains the process of somatic cell division, the cell cycle, and checkpoints. Chapter 8 covers DNA replication, cis-transcriptional regulation of genes, and transcriptional regulation by chromatin. Chapter 9 focuses on gene cloning, sequencing, gene introduction methods, and genome editing technologies, touching upon cutting-edge topics. Chapter 10 concisely introduces reproductive modes, gamete formation, meiosis, linkage, and crossing over. Chapter 11, titled "Development," highlights early development, cell division (such as asymmetric division, induction, and morphogen gradients), and homeotic genes. Chapter 12 is themed "Homeostasis" and is exceptionally comprehensive. After explaining blood circulation, the functions of the liver and kidneys, the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system, thermoregulation, and blood glucose regulation, it proceeds to explain the immune system, including detailed descriptions of innate and acquired immunity. Finally, an explanation of DNA repair mechanisms is also included. Chapter 13 touches upon vision, neurotransmission, muscle contraction, as well as plant tropisms, flower bud formation, dormancy, and germination. Chapter 14 introduces vegetation succession, material cycling, and interspecific interactions. The final chapter, Chapter 15, is titled "Phylogenetic Classification and Evolution of Organisms" and very simply introduces essential concepts (hierarchical classification, variation and evolution, and speciation).
Although the title of this book is "Biology for a New Liberal Arts," its main content can actually be said to be molecular biology. This is probably because the author's specialty is developmental biology. Indeed, the chapters on "genes" and "development" are quite substantial. That said, content related to ecology and evolutionary biology is also touched upon lightly in chapters 14 and 15. Incidentally, ethology, which is my specialty, was not adopted as a chapter. Even with such a bias in content, this book can be said to be of very high value, being so compactly summarized and reasonably priced.
Kazuki Sakura (National Institute for Basic Biology, Division of Evolutionary Development)
