| Description |
1 online resource (867 pages) |
| Contents |
Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Preface; Editor; Contributors; SECTION I: Astrobiology: Definition, Scope, and Education; Chapter 1.1 Astrobiology: Definition, Scope, and a Brief Overview; Chapter 1.2 Astrobiology Goals: NASA Strategy and European Roadmap; Chapter 1.3 Online, Classroom and Wilderness Teaching Environments: Reaching Astrobiology Learners of All Ages Around the World; Chapter 1.4 Astrobiology as a Medium of Science Education; Chapter 1.5 Astrobiology-as-Origins-Story: Education and Inspiration across Cultures |
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SECTION II: Definition and Nature Of LifeChapter 2.1 Defining Life: Multiple Perspectives; Chapter 2.2 A Generalized and Universalized Definition of Life Applicable to Extraterrestrial Environments; Chapter 2.3 Synthetic Cells and Minimal Life; Chapter 2.4 Communication as the Main Characteristic of Life; SECTION III: Origin of Life: History, Philosophical Aspects, and Major Developments; Chapter 3.1 Philosophical Aspects of the Origin-of-Life Problem: Neither by Chance Nor by Design; Chapter 3.2 Charles Darwin and the Plurality of Worlds: Are We Alone? |
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Chapter 3.3 An Early History from Buffon to OparinSECTION IV: Chemical Origins of Life: Chemicals in the Universe and Their Delivery on the Early Earth; Geology and Atmosphere on the Early Earth; Chapter 4.1 Interstellar Molecules and Their Prebiotic Potential; Chapter 4.2 Formation and Delivery of Complex Organic Molecules to the Solar System and Early Earth; Chapter 4.3 Organic Molecules in Meteorites and Their Astrobiological Significance; Chapter 4.4 Ancient Life and Plate Tectonics; Chapter 4.5 Atmosphere on Early Earth and Its Evolution as It Impacted Life |
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SECTION V: Chemical Origin of Life: Prebiotic ChemistryChapter 5.1 Prebiotic Chemistry That Led to Life; Chapter 5.2 Prebiotic Chemical Pathways to RNA and the Importance of Its Compartmentation; Chapter 5.3 The Hydrothermal Impact Crater Lakes: The Crucibles of Life's Origin; Chapter 5.4 Prebiotic Chemistry in Hydrothermal Vent Systems; Chapter 5.5 Prebiotic Reactions in Water, "On Water," in Superheated Water, Solventless, and in the Solid State; Chapter 5.6 The Origin and Amplification of Chirality Leading to Biological Homochirality |
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Chapter 5.7 Phosphorus in Prebiotic Chemistry-An Update and a Note on PlausibilityChapter 5.8 Phosphorylation on the Early Earth: The Role of Phosphorus in Biochemistry and Its Bioavailability; Chapter 5.9 Silicon and Life; SECTION VI: RNA and RNA World: Complexity of Life's Origins; Chapter 6.1 Transitions: RNA and Ribozymes in the Development of Life; Chapter 6.2 Three Ways to Make an RNA Sequence: Steps from Chemistry to the RNA World; Chapter 6.3 Coevolution of RNA and Peptides; Chapter 6.4 Role of Cations in RNA Folding and Function |
| Summary |
Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life on Earth. This exciting and significant field of research also investigates the potential existence and search for extra-terrestrial life in the Solar System and beyond. This is the first handbook in this burgeoning and interdisciplinary field. Edited by Vera Kolb, a highly respected astrobiologist, this comprehensive resource captures the history and current state of the field. Rich in information and easy to use, it assumes basic knowledge and provides answers to questions from practitioners and specialists in the field, as well as providing key references for further study. Features: Fills an important gap in the market, providinga comprehensive overview of the field Edited by an authority in the subject, with chapters written by experts in the many diverse areas that comprise astrobiology Contains in-depth and broad coverage of an exciting field that will only grow in importance in the decades ahead |
| Notes |
Chapter 6.5 The Origin of Life as an Evolutionary Process: Representative Case Studies |
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Print version record |
| Subject |
Exobiology -- Handbooks, manuals, etc
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Exobiology.
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SCIENCE -- Earth Sciences -- Geology.
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SCIENCE -- Life Sciences -- Biology -- Molecular Biology.
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Astrochemistry.
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Extraterrestrial life.
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Life in the universe.
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Life on Earth.
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Prebiotic chemistry.
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SETI.
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Exobiology
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| Genre/Form |
Handbooks and manuals
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| ISBN |
9781351661119 |
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1351661116 |
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