The Mathematics of LifeBiologists have long dismissed mathematics as being unable to meaningfully contribute to our understanding of living beings. Within the past ten years, however, mathematicians have proven that they hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of our world -- and ourselves. In The Mathematics of Life, Ian Stewart provides a fascinating overview of the vital but little-recognized role mathematics has played in pulling back the curtain on the hidden complexities of the natural world -- and how its contribution will be even more vital in the years ahead. In his characteristically clear and entertaining fashion, Stewart explains how mathematicians and biologists have come to work together on some of the most difficult scientific problems that the human race has ever tackled, including the nature and origin of life itself. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 13 | |
3 Long List of Life | 30 |
4 Florally Finding Fibonacci | 38 |
5 The Origin of Species | 56 |
6 In a Monastery Garden | 77 |
7 The Molecule of Life | 91 |
8 The Book of Life | 111 |
13 Spots and Stripes | 198 |
14 Lizard Games | 213 |
15 Networking Opportunities | 246 |
16 The Paradox of the Plankton | 258 |
17 What is Life? | 275 |
18 Is Anybody Out There? | 289 |
19 The Sixth Revolution | 317 |
Notes | 320 |
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Common terms and phrases
alien amino acids animals bacteria beaks behaviour biologists biology brain changes chemical chromosomes close colour complex copy cortex Darwin dimensions discovery DNA sequences dynamics Earth effect environment equations eukaryotes evolution evolutionary evolved example exist exoplanets extremophile Fibonacci Figure finches fossils Gala´pagos genes genetic genome geometry golden angle golden number habitable zone horizontal gene transfer human icosahedral icosahedron idea knot known large number layer living creatures look mathematical models mathematicians Mendel’s microscope microtubules million molecular molecule move natural selection nerve cells neurons observed organisms original pairs patterns Penrose tilings phyllotaxis physical plants population possible predict primordia problem prokaryotes proteins rabbits random realised replicate result scientific scientists shape shows signals similar simple slime mould space species spiral split strands strategy stripes structure super-Earth symmetry sympatric speciation taxonomists techniques theory tree turn types University virus viruses waves