Synopsis
“One of the deepest, most illuminating books about the history of life to have been published in recent years.” ―The Economist
The Earth teems with life: in its oceans, forests, skies and cities. Yet there’s a black hole at the heart of biology. We do not know why complex life is the way it is, or, for that matter, how life first began. In The Vital Question, award-winning author and biochemist Nick Lane radically reframes evolutionary history, putting forward a solution to conundrums that have puzzled generations of scientists.
For two and a half billion years, from the very origins of life, single-celled organisms such as bacteria evolved without changing their basic form. Then, on just one occasion in four billion years, they made the jump to complexity. All complex life, from mushrooms to man, shares puzzling features, such as sex, which are unknown in bacteria. How and why did this radical transformation happen?
The answer, Lane argues, lies in energy: all life on Earth lives off a voltage with the strength of a lightning bolt. Building on the pillars of evolutionary theory, Lane’s hypothesis draws on cutting-edge research into the link between energy and cell biology, in order to deliver a compelling account of evolution from the very origins of life to the emergence of multicellular organisms, while offering deep insights into our own lives and deaths.
Both rigorous and enchanting, The Vital Question provides a solution to life’s vital question: why are we as we are, and indeed, why are we here at all?
37 illlustrations"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Nick Lane is professor of evolutionary biochemistry at University College London and an award-winning author of five books. He codirects UCL’s Centre for Life’s Origins and Evolution (CLOE) and lives in London. Bill Gates calls him “one of my favorite science writers.”
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins...
Seller Image
Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: Books for Life, LAUREL, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: very_good. Book is in very good condition. Clean with little to no signs of wear or markings highlights. Seller Inventory # LFM.8R0E
Stock Image
Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0393352978I3N00
Stock Image
Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0393352978I5N00
Stock Image
Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0393352978I5N00
Stock Image
The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: Open Books, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Ex-library book with usual stamps and stickers. Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books. Seller Inventory # mon0000844016
Seller Image
Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: Shakespeare Book House, Rockford, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: very_good. The book is clean and shows minor shelf ware, Seller Inventory # EBBV.0393352978.VG
Stock Image
The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_460825885
Seller Image
Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: Big River Books, Powder Springs, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: good. This book is in good condition. The cover has minor creases or bends. The binding is tight and pages are intact. Some pages may have writing or highlighting. Seller Inventory # BRV.0393352978.G
Stock Image
The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_470408213
Stock Image
The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_468600020