The field of planetary biology and chemical evolution draws together experts in astronomy, paleobiology, biochemistry, and space science who work together to understand the evolution of living systems.
This field has made exciting discoveries that shed light on how organic compounds came together to form self-replicating molecules—the origin of life.
This volume updates that progress and offers recommendations on research programs—including an ambitious effort centered on Mars—to advance the field over the next 10 to 15 years.
The book presents a wide range of data and research results on these and other issues:
This volume will become required reading for anyone involved in the search for life's beginnings—including exobiologists, geoscientists, planetary scientists, and U.S. space and science policymakers.
National Research Council. 1990. The Search for Life's Origins: Progress and Future Directions in Planetary Biology and Chemical Evolution. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/1541.
Chapters | skim | |
---|---|---|
Front Matter | i-xii | |
Executive Summary | 1-15 | |
1. Overview | 16-20 | |
2. The Cosmic History of the Biogenic Elements and Compounds | 21-55 | |
3. Early Planetary Environments: Implications for Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Life | 56-77 | |
4. The Origin of Life | 78-90 | |
5. The Evolution of Cellular and Multicellular Life | 91-104 | |
6. Search for Life Outside the Solar System | 105-122 | |
7. Major Research Recommendations | 123-129 | |
8. Space Science Program and Policy Issues | 130-132 | |
References | 133-134 | |
Glossary | 135-138 | |
Appendix | 139-140 | |
Index | 141-148 |
The Chapter Skim search tool presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter. You may select key terms to highlight them within pages of each chapter.
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