Biology of Life: Biochemistry, Physiology and Philosophy

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.

Contextualizes the field of biochemistry and its role in human lifeIncludes dedicated sections on human reproduction and human brain developmentProvides extensive coverage on biochemical energetics, oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis, and carbon monoxide-acetate pathways

Section I. How Life Started

Chapter 1. The Physics 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

Chapter 7. What Is Life?

Section II. DNA and RNA

Chapter 8. The Evolution of DNA and the Genetic Code

Chapter 9. DNA Biology: DNA Replication, Transcription, and Translation

Section III. Energetics

Chapter 10. Adenosine Triphosphate Energetics

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

Chapter 14. Animal Evolution, Small Brain and Advanced Brain

Chapter 15. The Evolution of Humans

Chapter 16. Human Development

Section V. Human Development

Chapter 17. Human Female Oogenesis

Chapter 18. Human Male Spermatogenesis

Chapter 19. Sperm Activation, Fertilization, Morula, Blastocyst Formation, and Twinning

Chapter 20. Multiple Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Molecules

Chapter 21. Implantation and Pregnancy Failure

Chapter 22. Hemochorial Placentation

Chapter 23. Human Life, Development of the Human Brain

Chapter 24. Human Life