Cover for The Chemistry of Evolution

The Chemistry of Evolution

The Development of our Ecosystem

Book2006

Authors:

R.J.P. Williams and J.J.R. Fraústo da Silva

The Chemistry of Evolution

The Development of our Ecosystem

Book2006

 

Cover for The Chemistry of Evolution

Authors:

R.J.P. Williams and J.J.R. Fraústo da Silva

About the book

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Book description

Conventionally, evolution has always been described in terms of species. The Chemistry of Evolution takes a novel, not to say revolutionary, approach and examines the evolution of ... read full description

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  2. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 1 - The Evolution of Earth—The Geochemical Partner of the Global Ecosystem (5 Billion Years of History)

    Pages 1-34

  3. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 2 - Basic Chemistry of the Ecosystem

    Pages 35-76

  4. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 3 - Energy, Order and Disorder, and Organised Systems

    Pages 77-124

  5. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 4 - Outline of Biological Chemical Principles: Components, Pathways and Controls

    Pages 125-192

  6. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 5 - First Steps in Evolution of Prokaryotes: Anaerobic Chemotypes Four to Three Billion Years Ago

    Pages 193-238

  7. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 6 - The Evolution of Protoaerobic and Aerobic Prokaryote Chemotypes (Three to Two Billion Years Ago)

    Pages 239-276

  8. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 7 - Unicellular Eukaryotes Chemotypes (About One and a Half Billion Years Ago?)

    Pages 277-314

  9. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 8 - Multi-Cellular Eukaryote Chemotypes (From One Billion Years Ago)

    Pages 315-363

  10. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 9 - The Evolution of Chemotypes with Nerves and a Brain (0.5 Billion Years Ago to Today)

    Pages 365-392

  11. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 10 - Evolution due to Mankind: A Completely Novel Chemotype (Less than One Hundred Thousand Years Ago)

    Pages 393-414

  12. Book chapterNo access

    Chapter 11 - Conclusion: The Inevitable Factors in Evolution

    Pages 415-463

  13. Book chapterNo access

    Index

    Pages 465-481

About the book

Description

Conventionally, evolution has always been described in terms of species. The Chemistry of Evolution takes a novel, not to say revolutionary, approach and examines the evolution of chemicals and the use and degradation of energy, coupled to the environment, as the drive behind it. The authors address the major changes of life from bacteria to man in a systematic and unavoidable sequence, reclassifying organisms as chemotypes. Written by the authors of the bestseller The Biological Chemistry of the Elements - The Inorganic Chemistry of Life (Oxford University Press, 1991), the clarity and precision of The Chemistry of Evolution plainly demonstrate that life is totally interactive with the environment. This exciting theory makes this work an essential addition to the academic and public library.

Conventionally, evolution has always been described in terms of species. The Chemistry of Evolution takes a novel, not to say revolutionary, approach and examines the evolution of chemicals and the use and degradation of energy, coupled to the environment, as the drive behind it. The authors address the major changes of life from bacteria to man in a systematic and unavoidable sequence, reclassifying organisms as chemotypes. Written by the authors of the bestseller The Biological Chemistry of the Elements - The Inorganic Chemistry of Life (Oxford University Press, 1991), the clarity and precision of The Chemistry of Evolution plainly demonstrate that life is totally interactive with the environment. This exciting theory makes this work an essential addition to the academic and public library.

Key Features

* Provides a novel analysis of evolution in chemical terms* Stresses Systems Biology * Examines the connection between life and the environment, starting with the ‘big bang' theory* Reorientates the chemistry of life by emphasising the need to analyse the functions of 20 chemical elements in all organisms

* Provides a novel analysis of evolution in chemical terms* Stresses Systems Biology * Examines the connection between life and the environment, starting with the ‘big bang' theory* Reorientates the chemistry of life by emphasising the need to analyse the functions of 20 chemical elements in all organisms

Details

ISBN

978-0-444-52115-6

Language

English

Published

2006

Copyright

Copyright © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Imprint

Elsevier Science

Authors

R.J.P. Williams

Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QR, UK

J.J.R. Fraústo da Silva

Instituto Superior Técnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal