![]() ![]() This high mutation rate lies behind our aging and certain congenital diseases. Lane describes how mitochondria have their own DNA and that its genes mutate much faster than those in the nucleus. Readers learn that two billion years ago, mitochondria were probably bacteria living independent lives and that their capture within larger cells was a turning point in the evolution of life, enabling the development of complex organisms. These findings are of fundamental importance, both in understanding life on Earth, but also in controlling our own illnesses, and delaying our degeneration and death. ![]() In this fascinating and thought-provoking book, Nick Lane brings together the latest research in this exciting field to show how our growing insight into mitochondria has shed light on how complex life evolved, why sex arose (why don't we just bud?), and why we age and die. Without mitochondria, we would have no cell suicide, no sculpting of embryonic shape, no sexes, no menopause, no aging. Indeed, these tiny structures inside our cells are important beyond imagining. If it weren't for mitochondria, scientists argue, we'd all still be single-celled bacteria. ![]()
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