Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution

by Nick Lane

Overview

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

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393338669
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	06/14/2010
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Nick Lane is professor of evolutionary biochemistry at University College London and an award-winning author of five books. He codirects UCL’s Centre for Life’s Origins and Evolution (CLOE) and lives in London. Bill Gates calls him “one of my favorite science writers.”

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 The Origin of Life 8

2 DNA 34

3 Photosynthesis 60

4 The Complex Cell 88

5 Sex 118

6 Movement 144

7 Sight 172

8 Hot Blood 205

9 Consciousness 232

10 Death 260

Epilogue 286

Notes 288

List of Illustrations 307

Acknowledgements 310

Bibliography 313

Index 327

Editorial Reviews

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

Nature Lib

"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

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

Nature

"Original and awe-inspiring... an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology."

New Scientist - Michael Le Page