Control systems
The pyramidal cells of the cerebral cortex are among the largest cells in the brain, but are still invisible to the naked eye. Under the microscope they show an orderly arrangement, which is probably a reflection of their function in the processing of information.
Reproduction
Crystals of the sex hormone estrogen photographed with polarized light. Estrogen is primarily involved in female fertility, but small amounts are also secreted by the male, for it is the balance between the male and female hormones which determines sexuality.
The senses
The eye in highly magnified cross section, is the organ of sight. Each eye receives slightly different supplementary images which, when combined by the brain, produce a three-dimensional perception of the world around us.
Energy for the machine
Food materials, the source of body energy, can only be used if they are absorbed into the bloodstream. This mainly occurs through the walls of the small intestine. To aid this uptake, the intestinal wall, magnified about one hundred and fifty times, is highly folded to create a greater area for absorption.
The brain
Possibly the cells in the body most sensitive to oxygen deprivation, brain cells cannot survive for more than a few minutes without freshly oxygenated blood. Twice life-size, is a resin cast of the blood vessels that supply the brain with vital nutrients.
Evolution of man
Ridge patterns on a human thumb, seen here magnified more than one hundred and fifty times, are a universal attribute of mankind, but at the same time testify to the uniqueness of the individual, for no two people bear patterns that are exactly the same.
Framework of the body
The rigid elements of the body’s framework are the bones, which are composed of cylindrical units. In the illustration the bone has been cut across, photographed in polarized light and magnified more than two hundred and fifty times, so that the active bone-forming cells are seen as dark, circular areas.
Defenses of the body
The bacteria Bacillus proteus, shown here ten thousand times life-size, infects the human urinary tract and is among the many microorganisms which attack our bodies.
The intellect
The acquisition of symbolic language has been a major factor in man’s development of rational thought. The extent of subtle phonetic combinations, as shown by the voiceprint, ensures a wide variety of words to communicate a vast range of ideas.
[ All content © 1976 by Mitchell Beazley Publishers, London ]
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I have been out of town helping family with medical needs but still had hoped to get this blog post up last week. Too many demands and too many plates to keep spinning prevented that unfortunately. While away I did stumble across some great science imagery such as you see above, more to share down the road. Above are elegant, minimal chapter title spreads from the book ‘Atlas of the Human Body’; the original content from 1976 was published under the name ‘Atlas of the Body and Mind’. My 1980 copy was printed under the revised name.
–Amy
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