Biological innovations that built the world : a four billion year journey through life and earth history The book is a detailed account of major biological events that contributed to create the present world and our species with emphasis on cause effect interrelationships and environmental impact. Its main goal is to guide the reader toward an understanding of the continuity of life across diversity and of its large scale interactions with the planet. Combining scientific soundness with a constant effort for clarity the book begins with a cloud of dust in a corner of the Galaxy and covering an immense lapse of time terminates with an organism that ponders about the texture of the Universe. Comprehensive updated references added to each chapter will help the reader wishing to expand any of the topics. A glossary explains less common technical terms Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The Origins Chapter 3. The Birth of Life Chapter 4. Moving to the Light: The Evolution of Photosynthesis Chapter 5. The Great Oxygenation. Chapter 6. Eukaryotes Chapter 7. Sexual Reproduction Chapter 8. Multicellularity Chapter 9. The Chloroplast and Photosynthetic Eukaryotes Chapter 10. The Animals Chapter 11. Land Plants Chapter 12. The Emergence of Humanity Chapter 13. Synopsis Chapter 14. Glossary Chapter 15. Analytic Index