The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of EvolutionW. W. Norton & Company, 2006 - 301 páginas DNA is the genetic material that defines us as individuals. Over the last two decades, it has emerged as a powerful tool for solving crimes and determining guilt and innocence. But, very recently, an important new aspect of DNA has been revealed--it contains a detailed record of evolution. That is, DNA is a living chronicle of how the marvelous creatures that inhabit our planet have adapted to its many environments, from the freezing waters of the Antarctic to the lush canopy of the rain forest. In the pages of this highly readable narrative, Sean Carroll guides the general reader on a tour of the massive DNA record of three billion years of evolution to see how the fittest are made. And what a eye-opening tour it is--one featuring immortal genes, fossil genes, and genes that bear the scars of past battles with horrible diseases. This book clinches the case for evolution, beyond any reasonable doubt. |
Contenido
Introduction The Bloodless Fish of Bouvet Island | 19 |
The Everyday Math of Evolution Chance Selection and Time | 41 |
Immortal Genes Running in Place for Eons | 69 |
Making the New from the Old | 91 |
Fossil Genes Broken Pieces of Yesterdays Life | 117 |
Deja Vu How and Why Evolution Repeats Itself | 139 |
Our Flesh and Blood Arms Races the Human Race and Natural Selection | 165 |
The Making and Evolution of Complexity | 189 |
Seeing and Believing | 215 |
The Palm Trees of Wyoming | 249 |
Sources and Further Reading | 269 |
Acknowledgments | 285 |
| 287 | |
Otras ediciones - Ver todas
The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution Sean B. Carroll Vista previa limitada - 2007 |
The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution Sean B. Carroll Vista previa limitada - 2007 |
Términos y frases comunes
Academy of Sciences adaptation amino acids animals Antarctic antifreeze Archaea bacteria biologists biology birds blue body changes chapter chiropractors coelacanth colobus color vision common ancestor complex Darwin described disease DNA record DNA sequences dolphins duplication encoded enzyme eukaryotes evidence evolution evolutionary evolved example eyes figure fish fittest fossil fossil genes full color vision function galactose genetic genomes Gleevec hemoglobin howler monkey human icefish immortal genes important individuals intelligent design Leanne Olds light Lysenko malaria mammals MC1R MC1R gene mice million molecules mouse mutations myoglobin National Academy natural selection newt occurred ocean Old World organisms Origin of Species percent Photograph photoreceptors pigeons pigment populations protein sequence receptor reef resistance revealed rhodopsin ribonuclease scientific sickle cell similar Soviet stickleback SWS opsin gene theory tion tool-kit trait tree trichromatic trichromatic vision triplet ultraviolet vaccination variation vertebrates violet wavelengths whales yeast