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Book Cover
E-book
Author Travers, A. A. (Andrew Arthur), author.

Title Why DNA? : from DNA sequence to biological complexity / Andrew Travers
Published Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2021
©2021

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Description 1 online resource (xi, 211 pages) : illustrations (some color)
Contents The perennial question -- The nature of information : information, complexity and entropy -- DNA, the molecule -- The evolution of biological complexity -- Cooperating genomes -- DNA, information and complexity -- Origins -- The complexity of societies -- Why DNA -- and not RNA?
Summary "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"-- Provided by publisher
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on May 14, 2022)
Subject Schrödinger, Erwin, 1887-1961. What is life?
Schrödinger, Erwin, 1887-1961. What is life?
DNA.
Evolution (Biology)
Biodiversity.
Life -- Origin.
DNA
Biological Evolution
Biodiversity
Biophysical Phenomena -- genetics
Origin of Life
evolution.
Biodiversity
DNA
Evolution (Biology)
Form Electronic book
LC no. 2020055278
ISBN 9781107297241
1107297249