Discovering cell mechanisms: the creation of modern cell biology

Between 1940 and 1970 pioneers in the new field of cell biology discovered the operative parts of cells and their contributions to cell life. They offered mechanistic accounts that explained cellular phenomena by identifying the relevant parts of cells, the biochemical operations they performed, and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bechtel, William (Author)
Format: Electronic eBook
Language:English
Published: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 2006
Series:Cambridge studies in philosophy and biology
Subjects:
Online Access:BSB01
UBG01
Volltext
Summary:Between 1940 and 1970 pioneers in the new field of cell biology discovered the operative parts of cells and their contributions to cell life. They offered mechanistic accounts that explained cellular phenomena by identifying the relevant parts of cells, the biochemical operations they performed, and the way in which these parts and operations were organised to accomplish important functions. Cell biology was a revolutionary science but in this book it also provides fuel for yet another revolution, one that focuses on the very conception of science itself. Laws have traditionally been regarded as the primary vehicle of explanation, but in the emerging philosophy of science it is mechanisms that do the explanatory work. Bechtel emphasises how mechanisms were discovered, focusing especially on the way in which new instruments made these inquiries possible. He also describes how new journals and societies provided institutional structure to this new enterprise
Item Description:Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015)
Physical Description:1 online resource (xii, 323 pages)
ISBN:9781139164962
DOI:10.1017/CBO9781139164962

There is no print copy available.

Interlibrary loan Place Request Caution: Not in THWS collection! Get full text