Joseph Henry Press
500 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20001
The Joseph Henry Press, an imprint of the National Academies Press, was created with the goal of making books on science, technology, and health more widely available to professionals and the public. Joseph Henry was one of the founders of the National Academy of Sciences and a leader in early American science.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this volume are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Academy of Sciences or its affiliated institutions.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Whitfield, John, 1970-
In the beat of a heart : life, energy, and the unity of nature / John Whitfield.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-309-09681-2 (hardcover)
1. Life (Biology) 2. Vital force. 3. Nature. I. Title.
QH501.W48 2006
570—dc22
2006012277
Cover design by Michele de la Menardiere.
Cover credit: Mouse photo © GK Hart/Vikki Hart/Getty Images. Background image © Photo Researchers.
Copyright 2006 by John Whitfield. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America