Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life
Encyclopedia
Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life is a 2005
popular science
book by Nick Lane
of University College London
, which argues that mitochondria
are central to questions of the evolution of multicellularity, the evolution of sexual reproduction, and to the process of senescence
.
Amongst the theories advanced in the book, Lane endorses the hydrogen hypothesis
for the formation of the eukaryotic cell
, whereby mitochondria are the original defining characteristic of the structure. He argues that the event was an exceedingly improbable one and questions the likelihood of it having happened elsewhere in the Universe
. He also suggests that the necessity for genetic compatibility between mitochondrial and nuclear
DNA
lies behind the differentiation of biological genders, ensuring that only one sexual partner contributes mitochondrial DNA to offspring.
Steven Rose
in The Guardian
said that the book contains "one of the most interesting stories modern biology has to tell". It was shortlisted for the Royal Society
Science Book Prize in 2006.
2005 in literature
The year 2005 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*February 25 - Canada Reads selects Rockbound by Frank Parker Day as the novel to be read across the nation....
popular science
Popular science
Popular science, sometimes called literature of science, is interpretation of science intended for a general audience. While science journalism focuses on recent scientific developments, popular science is broad-ranging, often written by scientists as well as journalists, and is presented in many...
book by Nick Lane
Nick Lane
Nick Lane is a British biochemist. He holds the post of honorary reader and is the first Provost's Venture Research Fellow at University College London and was formerly strategic director at Adelphi MediCine, a medical multimedia company. He is the author of three popular science books and many...
of University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, which argues that mitochondria
Mitochondrion
In cell biology, a mitochondrion is a membrane-enclosed organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. These organelles range from 0.5 to 1.0 micrometers in diameter...
are central to questions of the evolution of multicellularity, the evolution of sexual reproduction, and to the process of senescence
Senescence
Senescence or biological aging is the change in the biology of an organism as it ages after its maturity. Such changes range from those affecting its cells and their function to those affecting the whole organism...
.
Amongst the theories advanced in the book, Lane endorses the hydrogen hypothesis
Hydrogen hypothesis
The hydrogen hypothesis is a model proposed by William F. Martin and Miklós Müller in 1998 that describes a possible way in which the mitochondrion arose as an endosymbiont within a prokaryote , giving rise to a symbiotic association of two cells from which the first eukaryotic cell could have...
for the formation of the eukaryotic cell
Eukaryote
A eukaryote is an organism whose cells contain complex structures enclosed within membranes. Eukaryotes may more formally be referred to as the taxon Eukarya or Eukaryota. The defining membrane-bound structure that sets eukaryotic cells apart from prokaryotic cells is the nucleus, or nuclear...
, whereby mitochondria are the original defining characteristic of the structure. He argues that the event was an exceedingly improbable one and questions the likelihood of it having happened elsewhere in the Universe
Universe
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
. He also suggests that the necessity for genetic compatibility between mitochondrial and nuclear
Cell nucleus
In cell biology, the nucleus is a membrane-enclosed organelle found in eukaryotic cells. It contains most of the cell's genetic material, organized as multiple long linear DNA molecules in complex with a large variety of proteins, such as histones, to form chromosomes. The genes within these...
DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
lies behind the differentiation of biological genders, ensuring that only one sexual partner contributes mitochondrial DNA to offspring.
Steven Rose
Steven Rose
Steven P. Rose is a Professor of Biology and Neurobiology at the Open University and University of London.-Life:...
in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
said that the book contains "one of the most interesting stories modern biology has to tell". It was shortlisted for the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
Science Book Prize in 2006.