What is Life?: How Chemistry Becomes BiologySeventy years ago, Erwin Schrödinger posed a profound question: 'What is life, and how did it emerge from non-life?' This problem has puzzled biologists and physical scientists ever since. 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? 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 molecules results in a tendency for 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, well-defined chemical concept: the whole story from replicating molecules to complex life is one continuous process governed by an underlying physical principle. The gulf between biology and the physical sciences is finally becoming bridged. This new edition includes an Epilogue describing developments in the concepts of fundamental forms of stability discussed in the book, and their profound implications. Oxford Landmark Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think. |
Contents
1 | |
2 The Quest for a Theory of Life | 32 |
3 Understanding Understanding | 43 |
4 Stability and Instability | 58 |
5 The Knotty Origin of Life Problem | 82 |
6 Biologys Crisis of Identity | 111 |
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Common terms and phrases
able actually already answer appear approach attempts bacteria basis become beginnings billion biological building blocks cell chapter character characteristics chemical chemical reactions chemical systems chemistry complex complexification components concept consider continually course definition despite detail direction discussed drive dynamic earlier earth effectively emergence energy entity evolution evolutionary example existence explain fact fitness force forms function fundamental governed highly historical human inanimate individual initial insights issue kind kinetic lead less life’s living systems living things material matter means mechanism molecular molecule nature operates organized origin particular pattern physical population possible prebiotic principle problem properties protein question reaction reason recent remains replicating systems result rule scientific Second Law selection sense sequence simple single species stability step structure teleonomic theory thermodynamic thinking tion transformed understand universe