Life Ascending The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution

by Lane, Nick

• ISBN13: 9780393338669
• ISBN10: 0393338665
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-14
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Summary

“Original and awe-inspiring . . . an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology.”—New Scientist

Excellent and imaginative and, similar to life itself, the book is full of surprises. —Nature

Lane lays out processes of dizzying complexity in smooth, nimble prose. —Kirkus Reviews

The emergence of life itself remains obscure. But as Lane shows with clarity and vigor, fascinating studies on the subject abound. —The New York Times

If Charles Darwin sprang from his grave, I would give him this fine book to bring him up to speed. —Matt Ridley, author of The Red Queen

Where does DNA come from? What is consciousness? How did the eye evolve? Drawing on a treasure trove of new scientific knowledge, Nick Lane expertly reconstructs evolution’s history by describing its ten greatest inventions—from sex and warmth to death—resulting in a stunning account of nature’s ingenuity.

Author Biography

Nick Lane is a biochemist and honorary reader at University College London. His previous book was named an Economist book of the year and was short-listed for the Aventis Science Book Prize. He lives in London.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
The Origin of Life	p. 8
DNA	p. 34
Photosynthesis	p. 60
The Complex Cell	p. 88
Sex	p. 118
Movement	p. 144
Sight	p. 172
Hot Blood	p. 205
Consciousness	p. 232
Death	p. 260
Epilogue	p. 286
Notes	p. 288
List of Illustrations	p. 307
Acknowledgements	p. 310
Bibliography	p. 313
Index	p. 327
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