Description: Why DNA? From DNA Sequence to Biological Complexity Describes how the physical chemistry of the DNA molecule links biological complexity, information flux and evolution to energy. Andrew Travers (Author) 9781107056398, Cambridge University Press Hardback, published 17 February 2022 222 pages 23.5 x 15.8 x 1.5 cm, 0.5 kg 'This is a welcome, fresh discussion of DNA as a complex biochemical resource beyond genetic functions. … Highly recommended.' D. L. Beach, Choice Information is central to the evolution of biological complexity, a physical system relying on a continuous supply of energy. Biology provides superb examples of the consequent Darwinian selection of mechanisms for efficient energy utilisation. Genetic information, underpinned by the Watson-Crick base-pairing rules is largely encoded by DNA, a molecule uniquely adapted to its roles in information storage and utilisation.This volume addresses two fundamental questions. Firstly, what properties of the molecule have enabled it to become the predominant genetic material in the biological world today and secondly, to what extent have the informational properties of the molecule contributed to the expansion of biological diversity and the stability of ecosystems. The author argues that bringing these two seemingly unrelated topics together enables Schrödinger's What is Life?, published before the structure of DNA was known, to be revisited and his ideas examined in the context of our current biological understanding. Acknowledgements Preface 1. The perennial question 2. The nature of information – information, complexity and entropy 3. DNA – the molecule 4. The evolution of biological complexity 5. Cooperating genomes 6. DNA, information and complexity 7. Origins 8. The complexity of societies 9. Why DNA – and not RNA? General reading and bibliography. Subject Areas: Molecular biology [PSD], Biochemistry [PSB], DNA & Genome [PSAK1], Genetics [non-medical PSAK], Evolution [PSAJ], Biophysics [PHVN], Physiology [MFG], Information theory [GPF]
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BIC Subject Area 1: Molecular biology [PSD]
BIC Subject Area 2: Biochemistry [PSB]
BIC Subject Area 3: DNA & Genome [PSAK1]
BIC Subject Area 4: Genetics [non-medical] [PSAK]
BIC Subject Area 5: Evolution [PSAJ]
BIC Subject Area 6: Biophysics [PHVN]
BIC Subject Area 7: Physiology [MFG]
BIC Subject Area 8: Information theory [GPF]
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Subject: Chemistry, Biology, Psychiatry, Physics
Publication Year: 2021
Number of Pages: 300 Pages
Publication Name: Why Dna?: from Dna Sequence to Biological Complexity
Language: English
Type: Textbook
Subject Area: Information Science
Author: Andrew Travers
Format: Hardcover
