Principles of evolution : from the Planck epoch to complex multicellular life / Hildegard Meyer-Ortmanns, Stefan Thurner, editors.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Meyer-Ortmanns, Hildegard.

Thurner, Stefan.

Series:

Frontiers collection.

The frontiers collection

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Evolution (Biology).

Natural history.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (383 p.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2011.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag, c2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

With contributions from a team of leading experts, this volume provides a comprehensive survey of recent achievements in our scientific understanding of evolution. The questions it asks concern the beginnings of the universe, the origin of life and the chances of its arising at all, the role of contingency, and the search for universal features in the plethora of evolutionary phenomena. Rather than oversimplified or premature answers, the chapters provide a clear picture of how these essential problems are being tackled, enabling the reader to understand current thinking and open questions. The tools employed stem from a range of disciplines including mathematics, physics, biochemistry and cell biology. Self-organization as an overarching concept is demonstrated in the most diverse areas: from galaxy formation in the universe to spindle and aster formation in the cell. Chemical master equations, population dynamics, and evolutionary game theory are presented as suitable frameworks for understanding the universal mechanisms and organizational principles observed in a wide range of living units, ranging from cells to societies. This book will provide engaging reading and food for thought for all those seeking a deeper understanding of the science of evolution.

Contents:

Introduction

Part I Principles of Evolution

Physical Principles of Evolution

The Interplay of Replication, Variation and Selection in the Dynamics of Evolving Populations

A Simple General Model of Evolutionary Dynamics

Can we Recognize an Innovation? Perspective from an Evolving Network Model

Part II From Random to Complex Structures: The Concept of Self-Organization for Galaxies, Asters and Spindles

How Stochastic Dynamics far from Equilibrium can Create Nonrandom Patterns

Structure Formation in the Universe

The Need for Quantum Cosmology

Self-Organization in Cells

Part III Protocells in Silico and In Vitro

Approach of Complex-Systems Biology to Reproduction and Evolution

Wet Artificial Life: The Construction of Artificial Living Systems

Towards a Minimal System for Cell Division

Part IV From Cells to Societies

Bacterial Games

Darwin and the Evolution of Human Cooperation

Similarities Between Biological and Social Networks in their Structural Organization

From Swarms to Societies: Origins of Social Organization

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

3-642-18137-6

OCLC:

728100176