
Origins of Life
Freeman Dyson(Author)
Cambridge University Press
2nd Edition
Published on 28. September 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
112 pages
978-0-521-62668-2 (ISBN)
Description
How did life on earth originate? Did replication or metabolism come first in the history of life? In this book, Freeman Dyson examines these questions and discusses the two main theories that try to explain how naturally occurring chemicals could organize themselves into living creatures. The majority view is that life began with replicating molecules, the precursors of modern genes. The minority belief is that random populations of molecules evolved metabolic activities before exact replication existed. Dyson analyzes both of these theories with reference to recent important discoveries by geologists and chemists. His main aim is to stimulate experiments that could help to decide which theory is correct. This second edition covers the enormous advances that have been made in biology and geology in the past and the impact they have had on our ideas about how life began. It is a clearly-written, fascinating book that will appeal to anyone interested in the origins of life.
Reviews / Votes
'This is first class update of the first editon.' Peter Mata, SpaceflightMore details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
4 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight
152 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-62668-2 (9780521626682)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Freeman Dyson
Origins of Life
E-Book
01/2005
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€17.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Freeman Dyson
Origins of Life
Book
01/1986
Cambridge University Press
€17.27
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Content
Preface; 1. Illustrious predecessors; 2. Experiments and theories; 3. A toy model; 4. Open questions; Bibliography; Author index.