Power, Sex, Suicide

Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life

By: Nick Lane

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Mitochondria are tiny structures located inside our cells that carry out the essential task of producing energy for the cell. They are found in all complex living things, and in that sense, they are fundamental for driving complex life on the planet. But there is much more to them than that.

Mitochondria have their own DNA, with their own small collection of genes, separate from those in the cell nucleus. It is thought that they were once bacteria living independent lives. Their enslavement within the larger cell was a turning point in the evolution of life, enabling the development of complex organisms and, closely related, the origin of two sexes. Unlike the DNA in the nucleus, mitochondrial DNA is passed down exclusively (or almost exclusively) via the female line. That's why it has been used by some researchers to trace human ancestry daughter-to-mother, to "Mitochondrial Eve".

Mitochondria give us important information about our evolutionary history. And that's not all. Mitochondrial genes mutate much faster than those in the nucleus because of the free radicals produced in their energy-generating role. This high mutation rate lies behind our ageing and certain congenital diseases. The latest research suggests that mitochondria play a key role in degenerative diseases such as cancer, through their involvement in precipitating cell suicide. Mitochondria, then, are pivotal in power, sex, and suicide.

In this fascinating and thought-provoking book, Nick Lane brings together the latest research findings in this exciting field to reveal how our growing understanding of mitochondria is shedding light on how complex life evolved, why sex arose (why don't we just bud?), and why we age and die. This understanding is of fundamental importance, both in understanding how we and all other complex life came to be, but also in order to be able to control our own illnesses, and delay our degeneration and death.

©2005 Nick Lane (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Full of startling insights into the nature and evolution of life as we know it." (The Economist)

Great Title …

You will need at least a basic knowledge of biology to really enjoy this book. It is worth the effort if you would like to acquire a different perspective on life and where human kind perhaps all multicellular earthlings may fit in the scheme of things.

best ever book in science that everyone shud read

loved it. one of the best books in molecular science, origin of life that explains so many secrets of life on this Earth.

An outstanding science book

This book is an eye opener. As an MD, and a pathologist I was of course familiar with mitochondria in their basic role as the cell's power houses. The relationships Lane describes between mitochondria and the aging process are an eye opener into a completely new field. This book is not a recapitulation of known facts for the general public, but a vigorous new thesis worthy of the most careful consideration and exploration.

One of the best books about origins of life

Aftet reading couple of books about evolutionary biology, I can easily say that this book is one of the best.

Nick Lane as usual

Mitochondria explain a lot, if you are interested in understanding the very basics of life read this book

Nick Lane Continues to ask the Vital Questions

If your looking to increase your understanding of what present science can tells us about the origins and nature of being alive - this book is an excellent place to begin and journeys a long way down the road.

Nick Lane does a wonderful job of bringing the reader along, on his search to understand cellular biology and complex eukaryotic life. He accomplishes this by providing the reader the pertinent history relative to our twisting path of understanding using the mitochondria's pivotal influence as our guide.

complet topic

enjoyed listening - but ned to hear again to comprehend. No doubt the topic is important

Wonderful book!

Love learning about mitochondria and the science being aging and dysfunction and the mechanisms that drive them :)

Powerful

As a non-science person there were parts that challenges my comprehension but the majority was fascinating and illuminating. I wonder where these insights will take us.

YES A Nick Lane Book!

Keep them coming please. I live in Canada and I can’t purchase Nick Lane’s other books like Life Ascending and Oxygen. I WANT THEM ALL!!