The Outer Reaches of Life

The invisible world of microbes - capable of surviving in the most harsh and inhospitable conditions on earth - reveals the remarkable potential and resilience of life itself. John Postgate's fascinating exploration of these outer reaches of life shows how understanding microbes can provide new clues to the origin and evolution of terrestrial life, and offers glimpses of how life might have established itself elsewhere in the universe.

List of contents

1. Microbes and terrestrial life; 2. Some like it hot; 3. Cool, man, cool; 4. The big squeeze; 5. A salty tale; 6. Corrosive and slippery places; 7. Life without oxygen; 8. Living on minerals; 9. Exotic menus; 10. Of wraiths and ghosts; 11. The inertness of nitrogen; 12. Getting about; 13. Microsenses; 14. A private space; 15. Company; 16. Immortality and the Big Sleep; 17. Self-adjustment; 18. Life's outer reaches.

Summary

John Postgate's fascinating exploration of the invisible world of microbes provides new clues to the origin and evolution of terrestrial life, and reveals the remarkable resilience and potential of life itself.

Product details

• Authors: Postgate, John Postgate, John R. Postgate
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.01.2010
• EAN: 9780521558730
• ISBN: 978-0-521-55873-0
• No. of pages: 292
• Dimensions: 140 mm x 216 mm x 18 mm
• Weight: 415 g
• Series: Canto Original; Canto Original
• Subject: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Miscellaneous