The History of the Atoms that Make Up Our Bodies Written by Dan Levitt, translated by Deok-hwan Lee, published by Magpie, 23,000 wins
Our bodies contain 1 billion as many atoms as a grain of sand in the desert. There are approximately 60 types of atoms (elements) that make up the body. For example, a 70 kg person’s body contains enough carbon to make 10 kg of charcoal, enough salt to fill a bottle of table salt, enough chlorine to disinfect several home swimming pools, and carbon enough to make nails 7 cm long a certain amount of iron.
The new book, ‘The History of the Atoms That Make Up Our Bodies’, is a story about the universe, life, and people published on the journey of atoms by the author, who made a name for himself in science and has making science documentaries for National. Geography and Discovery for over 25 years.
Atoms are the basic particles that make up matter, and elements refer to the basic parts of matter. 118 types of elements have been discovered so far, and there are another 132 types in the periodic table. Beginning with the Big Bang (cosmic explosion), the book covers how the elements that make up our bodies were created, the origin of life’s molecules and cells, and even the functions of life such as metabolism and immune reactions that occur in the body.
All matter in the universe was born on the same day. Due to the huge density and temperature of the Big Bang, hydrogen, helium, lithium, and beryllium were created, and as the atoms traveling around space rotated due to gravity, the sun was born (a star ) and the planets around it. The Earth was born 4.5 billion years ago. The Earth has a moon and an inner core, which has undergone many changes due to constant collisions with asteroids.
The Earth’s environment became stable 3.8 billion years ago. Water gathered to form a large ocean and an atmosphere was formed. Since then, life began to appear, and now more than 1,000 species live on Earth.
The author explains that plants in particular have changed many parts of the Earth. This is because plants convert the sun’s energy into carbohydrates through photosynthesis, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing it as oxygen. Simultaneous photosynthesis of cyanobacteria increased the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere, leading to a true ice age. Eukaryotic cells appeared on Earth 2.1 billion years ago, after the Ice Age ended. It is believed that humans appeared 5 million years ago.
Since then, life science has proven that DNA, made up of different atoms, gives instructions to cells and sustains the activity of life. Inside cells, ATP synthase, which produces energy, and the sodium-potassium pump, which transmits nerve signals, work continuously.
The author said, “We are only a temporary collection of elements that formed the Big Bang and the stars. The fact that all life came from microorganisms means that there is a deep biological connection us with every other living thing on Earth. Retracing the journey of the atom, “It’s a new way of seeing the world,” he emphasized.
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