Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of EvolutionWinner of the 2010 Royal Society Prize for science booksPowerful new research methods are providing fresh and vivid insights into the makeup of life. Comparing gene sequences, examining the atomic structure of proteins and looking into the geochemistry of rocks have all helped to explain creation and evolution in more detail than ever before. Nick Lane uses the full extent of this new knowledge to describe the ten greatest inventions of life, based on their historical impact, role in living organisms today and relevance to current controversies. DNA, sex, sight and consciousnesses are just four examples.Lane also explains how these findings have come about, and the extent to which they can be relied upon. The result is a gripping and lucid account of the ingenuity of nature, and a book which is essential reading for anyone who has ever questioned the science behind the glories of everyday life. |
What people are saying - Write a review
User ratings
| 5 stars |
| ||
| 4 stars |
| ||
| 3 stars |
| ||
| 2 stars |
| ||
| 1 star |
|
LibraryThing Review
User Review - MarkBeronte - LibraryThingWhere 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 ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - Rozella - LibraryThingI am very impressed with this book. Nick Lane has taken what he calls "ten great inventions of evolution" and given some well argued narratives of how it all happened. Shows some of the interesting ... Read full review
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
actin aerobic capacity algae amino acids animals answer archaea atoms bacteria biochemistry biology birds black smokers blood brain carbon dioxide cent Chapter chromosomes cloning codons common ancestor complex consciousness Crick cyanobacteria cynodonts cytoskeleton death dinosaurs disease earth electrons encoded energy enzymes eukaryotic cells evolution evolutionary evolved exactly example feelings filaments fossil gene sequences genetic genome happens host cell hot-blooded human hydrogen sulphide hydrothermal vents idea jumping genes krebs cycle lens letters lifespan light living lizards mammals membrane metabolic rate million years ago mineral mitochondria molecular muscle mutations myosin naked retina nanometres natural selection neural neurons nucleus oceans once organic molecules origin oxygen parasites perhaps photosynthesis Photosystem plants population problem prokaryotes proteins reaction replication respiration retina rhodopsin ribosomal sexual shrimp similar simple single species structure There’s theropods tiny tion vertebrates
Bibliographic information
| Title | Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution |
| Author | Nick Lane |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Profile Books, 2010 |
| ISBN | 1861978189, 9781861978189 |
| Length | 344 pages |
| Subjects | › › Science / Life Sciences / Evolution |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |