254 Index
Temperature (Cont.)
nature of heat, 50
nature of the atmosphere, 202
oceans, effects on weather, 40–41
superconductivity, 128–29
Theory of evolution. See also Heredity
chromosomes, function of, 121
importance of, 79
origins of discovery, 79–80
Theory of relativity
black holes, 140
2
E = mc , 112
importance of, 114
origins of discovery, 114–15
Thermodynamics
calories, 71
conservation of energy, 73
Thermometer
atmospheric layers, 107
superconductivity, 129
Thompson, Benjamin. See Rumford, Count
Thomson, Charles
deep-sea life, 88–89
Thomson, J. J.
electrons, 101–2
Thorium
isotopes, 134
radioactive dating, 119
Time. See Light, space, and time
Torricelli, Evangelista
air pressure, 17–18
Trace elements
vitamins, 117–18
Traits. See also Genes
chromosomes, function of, 121
heredity, 86–87
Transfer resistors
semiconductor transistor, 184
Transfusions
blood types, 100
Transistor. See Semiconductor transistor
Transverse waves
Earth’s core and mantle, 137
Troposphere
atmospheric layers, 108
Tryptophan
vitamins, 118
Ultraviolet (UV) light. See Infrared (IR) and
ultraviolet (UV) light
Uncertainty Principle
importance of, 153
origins of discovery, 153–54
Universal gravitation. See also Law of
falling objects; Laws of motion
importance of, 23
origins of discovery, 23–24
Universe. See Accelerating universe; Dark
matter; Existence of planets around
other stars; Expanding universe;
Quasars and pulsars
Uranium. See also Lead
isotopes, 134
radioactive dating, 119
radioactivity, 105–6
Urkraft
electromagnetism, 65–66
infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) light,
56
Vaccinations
importance of, 53
origins of discovery, 53–54
Vacuum
air pressure, 17–18
matter, 48
Vagus nerve
neurotransmitters, 145
Vagusstoff. See Acetylcholine
van Helmholtz, Hermann
conservation of energy, 73–74
“Variation,” 208
Vegetation zones
ecosystems, 169
Veins
circulatory system, 15–16
Venter, J. Craig
human genome, 220–21
Vesalius, Andreas
human anatomy, 7–8
Viruses. See also Antibiotics; Bacteria; Cell
structure
importance of, 97
origins of discovery, 97–98
“Vital force” theory
conservation of energy, 73
Vitamins
definition of, 118
importance of, 117
origins of discovery, 117–18