Double Helix Exploration: Quantum Physics and Life: Quantum Physics and Life

Author: John Gribbin
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2001-07-01
Features: Darwin and Mendel had pioneered a completely new world, yet the mechanisms of heredity and evolution remained enigmatic for a long time. It was only when quantum physicists joined the fray that we truly began to understand how complex organic molecules were formed. John Gribbin fills the gaps in our understanding of this background, recounting the fierce (sometimes reckless) competition to determine the structure of DNA and decipher the final code. He argues that even today, the analysis of amino acids in the blood confirms the principles of Darwin's theory, revealing how astonishingly close humans are to gorillas and chimpanzees. Scientists now know the fundamental secrets of life: quantum effects lead to tiny genetic mutations, passed down by DNA, which trigger the survival struggles in plants and animals. The Double Helix Unveiled explains how these processes are interconnected, offering an idealized overview.