Power, Sex, Suicide

Author(s): Nick Lane

Science

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.


Product Information

General Fields

  • : 9780199205646
  • : Oxford University Press
  • : Oxford University Press
  • : 0.27
  • : November 2006
  • : 2 Centimeters X 12.9 Centimeters X 19.6 Centimeters
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Nick Lane
  • : Paperback
  • : English
  • : 571.6/57
  • : 368