The origin and nature of life on Earth : the emergence of the fourth geosphere / Eric Smith (Santa Fe Institute, George Mason University, Tokyo Institute of Technology), Harold J. Morowitz (George Mason University).
Includes bibliographical references (pages 611-659) and index.
Contents:
The planetary scope of biogenesis: the biosphere is the fourth geosphere -- The organization of life on Earth today -- The geochemical context and embedding of the biosphere -- The architecture and evolution of the metabolic substrate -- Higher-level structures and the recapitulation of metabolic order -- The emergence of a biosphere from geochemistry -- The phase transition paradigm for emergence -- Reconceptualizing the nature of the living state.
Summary:
"Uniting the conceptual foundations of the physical sciences and biology, this ground-breaking multi-disciplinary book explores the origin of life as a planetary process. Combining geology, geochemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, evolution and statistical physics to create an inclusive picture of the living state, the authors develop the argument that the emergence of life was a necessary cascade of non-equilibrium phase transitions that opened new channels for chemical energy flow on Earth"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.