Wow! eBook
What is Life?: How chemistry becomes biology
Author(s): Addy Pross (Author)
- Publisher: OUP Oxford
- Publication Date: 27 Sept. 2012
- Language: English
- Print length: 224 pages
- ISBN-10: 0199641013
- ISBN-13: 9780199641017
Book Description
Living things are hugely complex and have unique properties, such as self-maintenance and apparently purposeful behaviour which we do not see in inert matter. So how does chemistry give rise to biology? Did life begin with replicating molecules, and, if so, what could have led the first replicating molecules up such a path? Now, developments in the emerging field of ‘systems chemistry’ are unlocking the problem. Addy Pross shows how the different kind of stability that operates among replicating entities results in a tendency for certain chemical systems to become more complex and acquire the properties of life. Strikingly, he demonstrates that Darwinian evolution is the biological expression of a deeper and more fundamental chemical principle: the whole story from replicating molecules to complex life is one continuous coherent chemical process governed by a simple definable principle. The gulf between biology and the physical sciences is finally becoming bridged.
Editorial Reviews
Review
A thoughtful and readable manifesto Pross gets high marks for his effort to demystify genesis and put chemistry in its place. (
Franklin M. Harold, Microbe, Volume 8 Number 3)A lively, intellectually stimulating examination of profound scientific and philosophic questions. It provides an intriguing and possibly plausible way to think about life and its origins. It provides much food for constructive thought. (
Chemical and Engineering News)A fascinating and insightful read. It has utility and enjoyment value to readers from a wide variety of backgrounds. Definitely food for thought. (
Niles Lehman, Trends in Evolutionary Biology)By formulating a new stability kind in nature, Addy Pross has uncovered the chemical roots of Darwinian theory, thereby opening a novel route connecting biology to chemistry and physics. This book is more than worth readingit stirs the readers mind and paves the way toward the birth of further outstanding ideas. (
Ada Yonath, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry)[
What is Life?] is a stimulating and thought-provoking read, and provides a sound chemical framework for considering the various theories and strands of research directed towards understanding the ultimate question – what is life? (Chemistry World)Addy Pross’s growing sense of excitement is palpable in this lucid, thoughtful, and accessible exploration of the very foundations of that most exquisite and extraordinary property of matter, life. (
Peter Atkins)an engaging account (
The Biologist)
