Bookverdict.com

Gr 5–9—This title explores the world of genetic engineering, focusing specifically on generating spider silk proteins in such quantity/quality as to warrant commercial development. Why spider silk? The title tells it succinctly. Stronger than steel, it is also flexible and stretchable, and can be spun into surgical sutures and artificial ligaments and woven into bulletproof vests and military-style body armor, among a host of other things. Heos's lively text, full of somewhat demanding concepts, takes readers into "Spider-M...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Readers will enjoy learning fascinating facts about spider silk—and will be impressed by the amazing strength of this seemingly flimsy substance. Scientists’ strange and inventive attempts to create mass amounts of spider silk by creating mutant versions of other animals and plants provides a fun way to learn about DNA. In describing the creation of transgeni...Log In or Sign Up to Read More