One plus one equals one
Subtitle: symbiosis and the evolution of complex life
By: John Archibald
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2014
Language: eng
Number of pages: 205
ISBN-13: 9780199660599
Subjects: Evolution (Biology); Symbiosis; Molecular biology
Description: It is natural to look at biotechnology in the 21st century with a mix of wonder and fear. But biotechnology is not as 'unnatural' as one might think. All living organisms use the same molecular processes to replicate their genetic material and the same basic code to 'read' their genes. The similarities can be seen in their DNA. Here, John Archibald shows how evolution has been 'plugging-and-playing' with the subcellular components of life from the very beginning and continues to do so today. For evidence, we need look no further than the inner workings of our own cells. Molecular biology has allowed us to gaze back more than three billion years, revealing the microbial mergers and acquisitions that underpin the development of complex life. One Plus One Equals One tells the story of how we have come to this realization and its implications.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.