Molecular Nutrition and Genomics Nutrition and the Ascent of Humankind

by Lucock, Mark

• ISBN13: 9780470081594
• ISBN10: 0470081597
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-07-09
• Publisher: Wiley-Liss

Summary

This fascinating book draws it subject matter from a range of relevant disciplines that extend from molecular nutrition, nutritional sciences, and nutrition dietetics through to genetics, genomics, and anthropology. It presents a vital portrait of the absolutely fundamental role that nutrition has played and continues to play in shaping who and what human beings are, as well as where they evolved from, and where they may be headed as a species. Molecular Nutrition: Nutrition and the Evolution of Humankind: Blends coverage of the molecular mechanisms that underpin nutrient-gene interactions with evolutionary theory Takes a molecular biological approach to problem solving, and moves nutrition away from its dietetic and anthropological origins to the front lines of genomic research Covers key concepts in molecular biology; the -omics revolution and bioinformatics; recent human evolution; molecular mechanisms of gene-nutrient interactions; the importance of nutrients and genomics in disease; the evolution of micronutrient metabolism, protein structure, and human disease; nutrients and the human lifecycle; contemporary dietary patterns; leading-edge laboratory tools in nutrigenomics and human evolutionary studies Written by an internationally recognised expert in the field, Molecular Nutrition: Nutrition and the Evolution of Humankind is an invaluable text and reference book for a wide range of teachers, students, and researchers.

Author Biography

Mark Lucock, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Human Molecular Nutrition at the University of Newcastle School of Environmental and Life Sciences, New South Wales, Australia. Dr. Lucock is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of human nutrition, nutrition and genomics, and nutrition and evolution.

Table of Contents

Preface

Representative Farms From Around the World

The Philippine Farmer

The Ecuadorian Farmer

The United States Farmer

Conclusion - A Concise Comparison

Questions

Human Nutrition

Meals of Farmers

Introduction

Energy

Protein/Amino acids

Carbohydrates

Fats, Oils and Lipids

Fiber

Vitamins

Minerals

How the Body Uses Nutrients

Diets of the Three Farmers

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Grain Crops

Food Grains on Three Farms

World Maize & Sorghum Production

World Wheat and Barley Production

World Rice Production

World Soybean Production

Other Grains

Nutrient Content of Crops

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

World Vegetables

Vegetable Production in Each Farming System

Types of Vegetables and their uses

Importance of Vegetables in World Trade

History

Cultivation

Protection

Leafy vegetables

Immature Seeds as Vegetables

Melons Squash and Cucumber

Petiole and Stem Vegetables

Root Vegetables

Other Vegetables

Transport and Storage of Vegetables

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Root Crops

Root Crops on the Three Farms

Introduction

Root Crops

Botanical descriptions

Tubers

Cassava Modified Roots

Taro Corm

Other Common Root Crops

Genetically Modified Root Crops

Nutritional Values of Carbohydrate Rich Root Crops

Preparation and Consumption

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Fruits, Berries and Nuts

Fruit, Berry and Nut production on the Three Farms

Introduction

Tree Fruits

Tropical Fruits

Subtropical Fruits

Temperate Fruits

World Berry Production

Nuts

World Nut Production

Coconut

Other Uses of Fruit and Nut Trees

Peanuts

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Farm Animals and Fish

Animals on the Three Farms

Importance in World Agriculture

Animal Production Systems

World Chicken, Duck & Goose Production

World Cattle and Buffalo Production

World Sheep and Goat Production

World Swine Production

World Aquaculture

Other Farm Animals

Nutrition

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Climate and Food Production

Climate at the Three Farms

Climatic Zones of the Three Farms

Classification of World Climatic Zones

Crop Production and Climate

Precipitation Patterns and Cop Production

Day Length

Length of Growing Season

Growing Degree Days

Humidity

Adverse Weather Conditions

Climate Change and its Possible Effects on Food Production

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Soils and Water

Soil on Three Farms

Introduction

Available land

Soil Types

Soil Complexity

Soil Inorganic Components

Soil Organic Components

Soil Basic Fertility

Soil Erosion

Water on the Three Farms

Water and Soil

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Raw Materials of Agriculture

Three Farmers

What Raw Materials Do Farmers Use?

Sunlight

Oxygen and CO2

Rainfall

Roads

Land

Buildings

Equipment

Labor

Seed

Fertilizers' chemical or organic

Weed, insect & disease control

Electricity

Water-irrigation

Vaccines & Medicines

Credit

The Law of Diminishing Returns

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Increasing Food Supplies

Malthus: Scaremonger or Prophet?

Famines

Effects of famine relief

The Green Revolution

Factors Affecting Food Production

Agriculture for the Long Term

Dealing with Population Changes

Food Security

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Genetically Modified Crops & Animals

Three Farmers and Their Crops

What does Genetically Modified Mean?

A Brief History of Genetic Modification

Transgenic Crops

The Future of Transgenic Crops

Transgenic Animals

The Future of Transgenic Animals

Conclusions

Questions

References Cited

Glossary

Index

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