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Maynard-Smith, J. & Szathmáry, E. (1995) "The
major transitions in evolution", W.H. Freeman, Oxford
During evolution there have been several major changes in the way genetic
information is organised and transmitted from one generation to the next.
These transitions include the origin of life itself, the first eukaryotic
cells, reproduction by sexual means, the appearance of multicellular plants
and animals, the emergence of cooperation and of animal societies, and the
unique language ability of humans.
Back blurb
1. Introduction
2. What is life?
3. Chemical evolution
4. The evolution of templates
5. The chicken and egg problem
6. The origin of translation and the genetic code
7. The origin of proto-cells
8. The origin of eukaryotes
9. The origin of sex and the nature of species
10. Intragenomic conflict
11. Symbiosis
12. Development in simple organisms
13. Gene regulation and cell heredity
14. The development of spatial patterns
15. Development and evolution
16. The origins of societies
17. The origin of language
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Created 27/9/98
Last modified 4/2/00