Double Helix Exploration: Quantum Physics and Life

Author: John Gribbin
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2001-07-01
Features: Darwin and Mendel opened up a brand new world, yet the mechanisms of heredity and evolution remained mysteries 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 in the background of this story, recounting the fierce (and 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 just how astonishingly close we are to gorillas and chimpanzees. Scientists now understand the fundamental secrets of life: quantum effects lead to tiny genetic mutations, passed on by DNA, which trigger the struggle for survival in plants and animals. The Double Helix Explained explains how these processes are interconnected, providing an idealized overview.