Mirror Image Asymmetry

An overview of the importance and consequences of asymmetry from molecules to the macroscopic world As scientists have become more capable of probing the structure of three-dimensional objects at the molecular level, the need to understand the concept and the consequences of mirror-image asymmetry—chirality—has increased enormously. Written at an introductory level, Mirror-Image Asymmetry provides an overview of the importance and effects of asymmetry from the atomic and molecular world of physics and chemistry to the organisms and structures that we see and use in our everyday life. The reader will develop a broad appreciation of three-dimensional asymmetry from the microscopic molecular world to the macroscopic world of handedness, automobile driving, windmills, sports, and similar phenomena. The book features: An introduction to basic definitions and the nomenclature of asymmetric and dissymmetric molecules Up-to-date examples of the importance and consequences of asymmetry in modern drug applications, current theories of the origin of asymmetry in nature, and examples of molecular asymmetry in smell, taste, and insect communication Many illustrations, chemical structures, and photographs that enable the reader to connect the actual asymmetrical structures to the different phenomena that depend on structural asymmetry In the 150 years since Louis Pasteur discovered asymmetry in molecular structures, scientists have made great progress in understanding how interactions between chiral molecules influence biochemical processes. This knowledge is leading to very sophisticated asymmetric synthetic techniques that have greatly benefitted many research groups especially those in the pharmaceutical industry. This guide to the role of molecular and macroscopic chirality will inspire students and scientists in chemistry, biology, physics, and drug discovery.

Until half a century ago, it was assumed that the forces of nature were symmetric and that they did not distinguish between right and left, between image and mirror image. The discovery of the violation of parity in 1956 was more than a sensation, for some it was a shock. It implied that the universe displays handedness, or chirality, and that it is fundamentally asymmetric. Remarkably, a most striking asymmetry is encountered in the realm of biology. Living organisms contain proteins built almost exclusively from L-amino acids, and nucleic acids derived from D-sugars only. Yet a mirror-image biochemistry, based on D-amino acids and L-sugars is, from a purely chemical standpoint, entirely conceivable. Where, then, does this extraordinary natural selectivity come from? Is it directly, or indirectly, connected to the universal violation of parity? This book is meant as a brief review of the various manifestations of handedness, or chirality, in the universe. It does not attempt to present a solution to basic questions which perhaps will never be unambiguously and conclusively answered. Rather, it is an excursion through nature, to observe and recognize how the chirality manifests itself at different structural levels. The excursion starts in the chemistry and physics laboratory. Then a journey into outer space and back in time is undertaken. After a return to our planet Earth, the focus is on the development of living organisms. The text should be accessible to anyone having the equivalent of a first-year university instruction in physics and chemistry. It is also hoped that a layperson with a more modest scientific formation may gain a general impression of the basic asymmetry in nature and of the fundamental significance of chirality. Mathematical expressions, wherever they occur, may then be overlooked. Some more difficult sections may be skipped. A Glossary preceding the Subject Index should be helpful.

1. Arenes and Aromaticity : Benzene and its Derivatives 2. Arenes and Aromaticity : Aromatic Electrophilic Substitution 3. Arenes and Aromaticity : Orientation in Benzene Ring 4. Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds-I [Concepts of Isomerism & Types of Isomerism] 4. Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds-II [Geometrical and Conformational Isomerism] 5. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes 6. Alkyl Halides 7. Dienes and Alkynes 8. Structure and Bonding 9. Dienes & Alkynes 10. Alkenes & Cycloalkenes 11. Types of Reagents 12. Aryl Halides

Plants exhibit forms of asymmetry analogous to "handedness" in bilaterally symmetrical animals. This book explores the evolutionary significance and development of asymmetry. Examples of genetic control include the direction of tendril or stem coiling of many climbing plants; the so-called spiral phyllotaxy and floral taxy; and contorted petal arrangement is another kind of left- right symmetry in plants; the direction of contortion is fixed in some but not in other plants. The book will underscore tha all phenomena related to handedness start during embryogenesis itself, with the occurrence of embryo rotation. Key selling features: First consolidated book on Plant Handedness Relates handedness, asymmetry and chirality to the evolution of different organizational levels in plant biology Emphasizes handedness as a vital governing force in plant functional evolution Provides a new perspective, hitherto ignored, into plant developemtn and evolution Describes how an age-old phenomenon can give scope for investigation from a very modern interdisciplinary approach

Looking beyond the boundaries of various disciplines, the author demonstrates that symmetry is a fascinating phenomenon which provides endless stimulation and challenges. He explains that it is possible to readapt art to the sciences, and vice versa, by means of an evolutionary concept of symmetry. Many pictorial examples are included to enable the reader to fully understand the issues discussed. Based on the artistic evidence that the author has collected, he proposes that the new ars evolutoria can function as an example for the sciences. The book is divided into three distinct parts, each one focusing on a special issue. In Part I, the phenomenon of symmetry, including its discovery and meaning is reviewed. The author looks closely at how Vitruvius, Polyclitus, Democritus, Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Augustine, Alberti, Leonardo da Vinci and Durer viewed symmetry. This is followed by an explanation on how the concept of symmetry developed. The author further discusses symmetry as it appears in art and science, as well as in the modern age. Later, he expounds the view of symmetry as an evolutionary concept which can lead to a new unity of science. In Part II, he covers the points of contact between the form-developing process in nature and art. He deals with biological questions, in particular evolution. The collection of new and precise data on perception and knowledge with regard to the postulated reality of symmetry leads to further development of the evolutionary theory of symmetry in Part III. The author traces the enormous treasure of observations made in nature and culture back to a few underlying structural principles. He demonstrates symmetry as a far-reaching, leading, structuring, causal element of evolution, as the idea lying behind nature and culture. Numerous controllable reproducible double-mirror experiments on a new stereoscopic vision verify a symmetrization theory of perception. Contents:On the Concept and Significance of Symmetry:The Discovery of SymmetryOn the Term Symmetry from the Antiquity to the RenaissanceThe Development of an Exact Concept of Symmetry through Scientific ProgressOn Symmetry and Asymmetry as Evolutionary Factors in Nature. The Development of an Evolutionary Concept of SymmetryEvolutionary Symmetrizations in Two and Three Dimensions. On the Syntax and Semantics of SymmetrismOn the Problem of Organic Form Development:Can an Artist Approach the World and Its Content Only in a Metaphorical Way?Evolution: Fairy Tale, Theory or Fact? Can We Experience Evolution Directly?Evolutionism/Ars Evolutoria — The Theory of Light/Colour and Form, Morphogenesis, Morpho-Mutability and Morpho-Evolution as Causal Form Theory: On the Question Whether There can be a Pre-Object, Pre-Morph “Life Process of Form” in Nature and ArtPreliminary Proof for the Principle of Symmetrization as a Form of Movement in Space and TimeCauses and Processes of Morphological Evolution. Essential Facts and InterpretationsThe Architects Symmetrization and Asymmetrization as the Bases for the Perception of Objects and Order as well as Insight-Behaviour and Cultural EvolutionReanimation of Modernism Using Integrating Neo-RenaissanceEvolutionary Symmetry Theory and Universal Evolution Theory Readership: General, biologists and artists. keywords:Evolutionary Symmetry Theory;Asymmetrization/Symmetrization Principle;Formvariation/Mutation;Ars Evolutoria;Science Art;Double-Mirror-Experiments;Cultural Evolution;Neo-Evolutionism;Theory of Protoform;Bifurcation Morphology (Evolutionary Geometry) “Thus it is a great merit to have unrolled the phenomena of symmetries in their full breadth to a monumental work; whether in quanta, atoms, and crystals, or in corporeal forms, senses, and brains, or in the forms of all the artifacts that have originated from human activity. Only then will we become aware of our potentialities: the concert of relations that joins the inorganic and the organic, our sensibilities, our thoughts, and our deeds; that which reciprocally unites nature and culture in the human psyche.” From the Foreword by Professor Rupert Riedl “This book is readable even for those, who have not made detailed studies in the phenomena of symmetry, asymmetry … It must be kept in reach to the desk of any researcher of the evolution and any specialist — regardless of his/her discipline — of symmetry phenomena.” Symmetry: Culture and Science

Dr. Kopans' best-selling text and reference on breast imaging is now in its thoroughly revised, updated Third Edition. The author combines a complete, superbly illustrated atlas of imaging findings with a comprehensive text that covers all imaging modalities and addresses all aspects of breast imaging--including breast anatomy, histology, physiology, pathology, breast cancer staging, and preoperative localization of occult lesions. This edition includes state-of-the-art information on a new modality, breast tomosynthesis, as well as on digital mammography, MRI, ultrasound, and percutaneous breast biopsy. The book contains more than 1,500 images obtained with the latest technology, including many new mammograms and scans using other imaging modalities. FEATURES: - Information on anatomy, histology, physiology, pathology, breast cancer staging, and preoperative localization of occult lesions - Discusses breast disease from a wider viewpoint than just how to perform and interpret mammography NEW TO THIS EDITION: - Digital mammography - Major revisions in the MRI, ultrasound, and interventional sections - Updated figures included in this edition - Updated information on MR, US, and percutaneous breast biopsy

This textbook is where you, the student, have an introduction to organic chemistry. Regular time spent in learning these concepts will make your work here both easier and more fun.

Originally published: Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.