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.
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
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.