Overview

This book emphasizes the interfaces between the seemingly diverse fields of biochemistry and cosmochemistry. This link provides the basis for understanding of how life began on Earth and whether this process is universal. This area of study helps us to understand the long-asked questions of whether there is life beyond Earth, and whether our planet is one example of how life could originate and evolve on other worlds. Biochemistry demonstrates how life has originated and evolved into complex life forms ranging from small microbial forms such as bacteria to the upright walking creatures we call humans. Cosmochemistry explores whether the origin of life, and its evolution into complex life forms, is possible in other worlds. The focus is on amino acids which play an essential role in biochemistry on Earth and also are present elsewhere in our solar system. The book explores these issues through personal anecdotes from the author's long and varied scientific career.

Full Product Details

9781527573406

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Jeffrey L. Bada is Emeritus Distinguished Research Professor of Marine Chemistry at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. Professor Bada's research deals with the chemistry of amino acids, the synthesis and stability of organic compounds on the primitive Earth and other solar system bodies and the detection of possible remnants of ancient life on Mars both by in situ analyses on the planet, and from the study of Martian meteorites. Dr Bada has been Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PI on several NASA and National Science Foundation grants for studies on the origin of life and the development of in situ instrumentation for use in the search for organic compounds on planetary bodies, especially Mars. Professor Bada has published one book, The Spark of Life: Darwin and the Primordial Soup (2001), and over 300 journal articles, and has supervised the PhD thesis research of 20 graduate students and numerous postdoctoral students.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available