Optical Activity and Living Matter (Classic Reprint)

G. F. Gauze

ISBN 10: 0365653217 / ISBN 13: 9780365653219

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book explores the fascinating relationship between the asymmetry inherent in the building blocks of life and the origins of life itself. Beginning with the groundbreaking work of Louis Pasteur, the author traces the development of our understanding of the role of asymmetry in biological systems. The author examines the ways in which the asymmetric state is maintained in living organisms, showcasing the complex interplay between thermodynamics, kinetics, and the chemical machinery of life. By delving into the mechanisms governing the production and preservation of optically active substances, the book reveals the fundamental principles underlying the organization and functioning of living matter, providing a deeper appreciation of the intricate web of life's chemical processes. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9780365653219_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Optical Activity and Living Matter (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0365653217
• ISBN 13: 9780365653219
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Biology

About this title

Synopsis

Explore how living matter embodies optical activity and molecular symmetry. This thoughtful study explains how dissymmetry and asymmetry shape the way biological substances rotate light, and how these properties connect to heredity, environment, and the origins of life.

This edition delves into the principles behind optical activity in protoplasm, the distinction between primary and secondary constituents, and the mechanisms that support or limit changes in optical purity. It weaves together foundational definitions with the latest ideas about how living systems maintain or alter asymmetric states through metabolism, heredity, and environmental factors.

• Clear definitions of key terms like dissymmetry, asymmetry, and optical activity.


• Explanations of how primary versus secondary constituents influence optical properties.


• Discussion of fixed pathways and how organisms regulate reactions to avoid unwanted inversions.


• Connections between morphological, molecular, and evolutionary perspectives on optical activity.

Ideal for readers of biochemistry and cell biology who want a rigorous, accessible look at how optical isomerism relates to life processes and evolution.