1. Do you
see bacteria as a bad thing or a good thing? Did Angier’s
splurge about bacteria and how it is everywhere freak you out?
(I’m thinking about germaphobes and I wonder how they feel
about bacteria.)
2. “The cell is surely the great invention in
the history of life on this planet” (pg 186) Have you ever
thought of a cell as being invented? Who invented it? Mother
Nature?
3. Have you ever heard of someone saying that
an egg is one cell!? What a discovery!
4. On page 196, the author comments on the presence of genes
and genetic modification in organic foods. Would the general
public be less concerned about GMOs if they had a better
understanding of genes and DNA?
5. If scientists are able to discover a away to tweak our
genetic frameworks, what might be the implications? Should
it be pursued?
6. It is stated that one of characteristics of life is its
ability to change its properties so to adapt in its
environment better. It is also seen that humans have been
able to modify these characteristics so, how far can we
modify life to our benefits? What does the future behold for
us or how far are we able to stretch the future to behold.
7. "Each bacterium is a living being," (186). Is it
hard imagine/understand such small pieces of nature as
living?
8. Almost no organisms would be able to function
properly without the presence of bacteria. Why is it that
no one really cares about or appreciates the necessity of
bacteria in their day-to-day lives? Is there a point where
things get too small for us to care?