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**Prime Mover: A Natural History of Muscle**
**A Robust Examination of the Engineering Marvel that Drives Animal Movement**
Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the fascinating world of muscle, the quintessential engine driving animal locomotion and the very essence of movement. Prime Mover: A Natural History of Muscle unravels the intricate intricacies of this remarkable biological machinery, unveiling its complexities and showcasing its remarkable adaptations across the animal kingdom.
**Delving into the Machinery of Motion**
Steven Vogel, a renowned biomechanist and master storyteller, guides us through the intricate workings of muscle, employing an unparalleled combination of scientific rigor and captivating prose.
Vogel peels back the layers of muscle's structure, revealing the ingenious interplay of proteins that orchestrate its contractions and relaxations. He elucidates the principles of muscle physiology, explaining how calcium ions act as the spark that ignites the contractile process.
Beyond the microscopic realm, Vogel explores the diverse forms and functions of muscles across the animal kingdom. From the lightning-fast twitch fibers that propel cheetahs to the endurance-optimized muscles that power migratory birds, he paints a vivid tapestry of muscle's remarkable adaptability.
**Evolutionary Adaptations and Functional Diversity**
Prime Mover meticulously traces the evolutionary trajectory of muscle, demonstrating how environmental pressures have shaped its myriad adaptations. From the muscles that allow fish to glide effortlessly through water to those that enable snakes to coil and propel their bodies with astonishing force, Vogel unveils the remarkable diversity that has emerged over millions of years.
Vogel's analysis extends beyond the structural and functional aspects of muscle. He investigates the intimate relationship between muscle and the nervous system, highlighting how the brain orchestrates complex movements and coordinates muscle actions with precision.
**A Tour De Force of Scientific Exploration**
Prime Mover: A Natural History of Muscle stands as a testament to Vogel's unwavering dedication to scientific exploration. Through captivating descriptions and meticulously researched insights, he weaves a compelling narrative that unravels the complexities of this extraordinary biological system.
Whether you are a seasoned scientist, an aspiring biologist, or simply a curious mind eager to unravel the secrets of the natural world, Prime Mover: A Natural History of Muscle is an indispensable guide. Its pages ignite a deep appreciation for the marvel of muscle, transforming our understanding of the intricate mechanisms that drive animal movement and shape our fascinating world.
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The story—and the science—of nature's greatest engine.
Whether we blink an eye, lift a finger, throw a spear or a ball, walk, run, or merely breathe, we are using muscle. Although muscles differ little in appearance and performance across the animal kingdom, they accomplish tasks as diverse as making flies fly, rattlesnakes rattle, and squid shoot their tentacles.
Our everyday activities turn on the performance of nature's main engine: we may breathe harder going uphill, but we put more strain on our muscles walking downhill. Those of us who are right-handed can tighten screws and jar lids more forcibly than we can loosen them. Here we're treated to the story of how form and performance make these things happen—how nature does her work.
Steven Vogel is a leader in the great new field of bioengineering, which is rapidly explaining the beauty and efficiency of nature. His talents as both scientist and writer shine in this masterful narrative of biological ingenuity, as he relates the story—and science—of nature's greatest engine.
Author: Vogel, Steven
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Illustration: n
Language: ENG
Title: Prime Mover: A Natural History of Muscle
Pages: 00384 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2014-08-18
SKU-13/ISBN: 9780393324631
Category: Science : Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology
