Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3751222 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Library Binding
• 32 pages

From Booklist
Gr. 4-7. This slim, straightforward title in the new Imitating Nature series introduces the fascinating science involved in producing an equivalent to spider silk. An introductory chapter gives background on spider physiology and web building. Later chapters describe how scientists' efforts have resulted in a silk approximation that is better described as goat-made than man-made. By successfully splicing spider silk-producing genes into goats, researchers have created an animal whose milk contains a substance similar to spider silk's raw material. Allman keeps the focus squarely on the facts, rather than on any moral debates about genetic engineering. A final section discusses the uses for stronger-than-steel spider silk. The picture-book format features diagrams and photos, sometimes microscopic views to illustrate the science. A glossary, a bibliography; and a solid list of Web resources close this intriguing, useful volume. Other titles now available include From Barbs on a Weed to Velcro and From Bug Legs to Walking Robots. Gillian Engberg
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