Biology of Life Biochemistry, Physiology and Philosophy

About this book

Biology of Life: Biochemistry, Physiology and Philosophy provides foundational coverage of the field of biochemistry for a different angle to the traditional biochemistry text by focusing on human biochemistry and incorporating related elements of evolution to help further contextualize this dynamic space. This unique approach includes sections on early human development, what constitutes human life, and what makes it special.

Additional coverage on the differences between the biochemistry of prokaryotes and eukaryotes is also included. The center of life in prokaryotes is considered to be photosynthesis and sugar generation, while the center of life in eukaryotes is sugar use and oxidative phosphorylation. This unique reference will inform specialized biochemistry courses and researchers in their understanding of the role biochemistry has in human life.

Contents

    Introduction
    Section I. How Life Started
        Chapter 1. The Physics and Chemistry of Planet Earth
            The Expanding Universe
            Birth of the Solar System
            Birth of Planet Earth
            The Geology and Chemistry of Planet Earth
        Chapter 2. How Life Started
        Chapter 3. RNA, Ribozymes, and Early Life Forms
        Chapter 4. Amino Acids and Peptides, Essential Ingredients of Life
        Chapter 5. Biochemistry of Early Life
        Chapter 6. Evolutionary History of Planet Earth
            Oxygen Atmosphere
            Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
            Multicellular Organisms
        Chapter 7. What Is Life?
    Section II. DNA and RNA
        Chapter 8. The Evolution of DNA and the Genetic Code
            Evolution of DNA
            Evolution of the Genetic Code
        Chapter 9. DNA Biology: DNA Replication, Transcription, and Translation
            Replication
            Transcription
            mRNA Splicing
            Translation of mRNA
            Genes and Chromosomes
    Section III. Energetics
        Chapter 10. Adenosine Triphosphate Energetics
            Oxidative Phosphorylation
            Feeding Pathways to Oxidative Phosphorylation
            Use of Adenosine Triphosphate Energy
            Adenosine Triphosphate and the Heart
            Photosynthesis and the Generation of Oxygen and Adenosine triphosphate
            Cytoplasmic Membrane Electron Transport and Adenosine Triphosphate Synthesis in Bacteria
            Evolution of Energetics
            Energetics and Life
        Chapter 11. Adenosine Triphosphate Synthase
    Section IV. 4.5 Billion Years of Evolution
        Chapter 12. Evolution Timeline
        Chapter 13. Evolution of Chemical, Prokaryotic, and Eukaryotic Life
            Chemical Life
            Prokaryotic Life
            Eukaryote Evolution from Prokaryotes
            Eukaryotic Life
        Chapter 14. Animal Evolution, Small Brain and Advanced Brain
            Animal and Mammal Evolution
            Small Brain Animals
            Advanced Brain Animals
        Chapter 15. The Evolution of Humans
            The Human Brain
            Bipedalism
        Chapter 16. Human Development
            Language
            Human Pseudoevolution
    Section V. Human Development
        Chapter 17. Human Female Oogenesis
            Oogenesis
            Ovulation
            Luteogenesis
        Chapter 18. Human Male Spermatogenesis
            Mitotic Proliferation
            Meiotic Division
        Chapter 19. Sperm Activation, Fertilization, Morula, Blastocyst Formation, and Twinning
            Sperm Activation
            Spermatozoa Capacitation
            Spermatozoa Acrosome Reaction
            Ovum Propulsion
            Fertilization
            Morula and Blastocyst Formation
            Twinning
        Chapter 20. Multiple Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Molecules
            Five or Six Completely Independent hCG Molecules
        Chapter 21. Implantation and Pregnancy Failure
            Implantation
            Pregnancy Failure
        Chapter 22. Hemochorial Placentation
        Chapter 23. Human Life, Development of the Human Brain
        Chapter 24. Human Life
    Index

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Biography

Dr. Cole has served on the journal editorial board from 1994-2001 as the Editor of "Trophoblast Disease Update . He has written more than 100 articles on hCG structure, physiology and immunoassay and on clinical applications of hCG or hCG-related molecules. He has a 1.17 FWCI in the Medicine category of SciVal where he has published throughout the various disciplines and maintains an average of 12.6 citations per article from 2009-2014. He has experience with international, single, and institutional collaboration. Awards and recognition for Dr. Cole include the Institute for Anticancer Research, Biannual Prize for best research; American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Most Outstanding Research Contributor to Clinical Chemistry Prize; Gynecology Oncology, Outstanding Speaker Award; and International Society for Study of Trophoblastic Disease, Gold Medal for most outstanding research.