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Astrobiology: A Brief Introduction
Astrobiology―the study of the intimate relationship between life and the cosmos―is a fast-growing field that touches on aspects of cosmology, astrophysics, and chemistry. In the first scholarly overview of this dynamic field, biochemists Kevin W. Plaxco and Michael Gross tell the story of life from the Big Bang to the present. Emphasizing the biochemical nature of astrobiology, Plaxco and Gross examine the origin of the chemical elements, the events behind the developments that made the Universe habitable, and the ongoing sustenance of life. They discuss the formation of the first galaxies and stars, the diverse chemistry of the primordial planet, the origins of metabolism, the evolution of complex organisms, and the feedback regulation of Earth's climate. They also explore life in extreme habitats, potential extraterrestrial habitats, and the search for extraterrestrial life. This broadly accessible introduction captures the excitement, controversy, and evolution of the dynamic young field of astrobiology. It shows clearly how scientists from different disciplines can combine their special knowledge to enhance our understanding of the Universe.
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 4, 2016
Plaxco is a strong introduction to astrobiology, an undergraduate level textbook that is on the 'science' side of 'popular science'. Defining life as "a self-replicating chemical system capable of evolving such that such that it's offspring might be better suited for survival", Plaxco and Gross launch into a history of life on Earth from the Big Bang, and the prospects for the future discovery of life.
As a chemist, Plaxco is biased towards chemistry as the most important part of the question about life. Starting from the fundamental constants of the universe, he argues that elemental abundance and the energy required for chemical reactions means that life will likely be carbon-based and require liquid water. From that, the chemistry gets rather complex. The Miller-Urey 'primordial sludge' experiments show that amino acids are spontaneously generated from pretty basic elements, but doesn't explain how they can link into self-reproducing chains. There was probably a primitive 'RNA world' which has been entirely erased by the exponentially more potent metabolisms and evolutionary capacities of modern bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. The sections on the evolution of metabolism and genetics are a slog of chemistry. The last bit, surveying the potential for life on Mars and gas giant moons is a good run down of contemporary science, although this field advances one probe at a time, and some observations may be substantially updated since then.
The over-all impression is that some kind of micro-biological life is probably quite common. Detecting it, particularly at stellar distances, is another matter entirely.
As a chemist, Plaxco is biased towards chemistry as the most important part of the question about life. Starting from the fundamental constants of the universe, he argues that elemental abundance and the energy required for chemical reactions means that life will likely be carbon-based and require liquid water. From that, the chemistry gets rather complex. The Miller-Urey 'primordial sludge' experiments show that amino acids are spontaneously generated from pretty basic elements, but doesn't explain how they can link into self-reproducing chains. There was probably a primitive 'RNA world' which has been entirely erased by the exponentially more potent metabolisms and evolutionary capacities of modern bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. The sections on the evolution of metabolism and genetics are a slog of chemistry. The last bit, surveying the potential for life on Mars and gas giant moons is a good run down of contemporary science, although this field advances one probe at a time, and some observations may be substantially updated since then.
The over-all impression is that some kind of micro-biological life is probably quite common. Detecting it, particularly at stellar distances, is another matter entirely.
Want to Read
May 3, 2011Professor Plaxco was a guest speaker in my Origins class today and he gave an absolutely compelling lecture on astrobiology. Sure it was, y'know, a little on the blue side to hear about the near-infinitesimal chances of finding other lifeforms in the universe, in addition to the nightmarish thought of self-replicating nanomachines that may/will someday destroy us and take over the planet. But it was still awesome.
November 11, 2017
This book contains a fair amount of information. However, I feel that the author held back on particular details of things, because it just seems to be missing something; that feeling is not from a lack of understanding on my behalf.
May 29, 2022
A dense book with technical detail, yet one of my favourites of all time
January 28, 2013
This book was one of many suggested readings for a course I am taking in Astrobiology through corserea.org.
I have found one thing about these suggested readings; they are loaded with information! Here is the problem with a multitude of information, trying to absorb it all! There is another problem with many of the suggested readings for courses; most are written to offer the reader the most information in within a few hundred pages. They are loaded with footnotes and additional suggested reading; a person could read themselves into oblivion just following the suggested readings! The other problem seems to be presentation. I have found that some books are much more difficult to digest than others; by this I mean most research books make the reader think of being in a lecture, the lectures given by those who have made this their life’s work are literally overloaded with information, leaving the audience dazed and confused; some are presented by persons who are doing this because this is their job and they just have to do it, leaving the audience nodding off and the assimilation of the presented material lost; finally, some are presented by people excited by their work and research and eager to share, leaving their audience invigorated and longing for more. This book falls into the third category.
This book was exciting in a way that is quite unusual for scientific material (that of course is my personal view), not only did I find myself absorbing the information concerning astrobiology, I found myself formulating questions that were subsequently answered. While astrobiology is concerned with life in space, it also deals with life on earth. (i.e. does life have to follow patterns known from examples on earth, with all the galaxies, how many planets exist within a habitable zone). This book left me excited about my decision to take this course….now, if only all authors could write with this ability my book list would be complete in no time!
I have found one thing about these suggested readings; they are loaded with information! Here is the problem with a multitude of information, trying to absorb it all! There is another problem with many of the suggested readings for courses; most are written to offer the reader the most information in within a few hundred pages. They are loaded with footnotes and additional suggested reading; a person could read themselves into oblivion just following the suggested readings! The other problem seems to be presentation. I have found that some books are much more difficult to digest than others; by this I mean most research books make the reader think of being in a lecture, the lectures given by those who have made this their life’s work are literally overloaded with information, leaving the audience dazed and confused; some are presented by persons who are doing this because this is their job and they just have to do it, leaving the audience nodding off and the assimilation of the presented material lost; finally, some are presented by people excited by their work and research and eager to share, leaving their audience invigorated and longing for more. This book falls into the third category.
This book was exciting in a way that is quite unusual for scientific material (that of course is my personal view), not only did I find myself absorbing the information concerning astrobiology, I found myself formulating questions that were subsequently answered. While astrobiology is concerned with life in space, it also deals with life on earth. (i.e. does life have to follow patterns known from examples on earth, with all the galaxies, how many planets exist within a habitable zone). This book left me excited about my decision to take this course….now, if only all authors could write with this ability my book list would be complete in no time!
Read
December 3, 2018This was heavy going in places. My chemistry stopped at the age of 15, and I was never any good at it anyway. However, the authors recognise that the organic and biological chemistry that underpins much of life is indeed complex, and they make it as simple as possible for the reader like me.
The astrophysics and the atomic physics were easier for me to get on with (but of course, that's just me - it may be that other people have different specialties).
Overall, though, the authors provide a comprehensive look at the field, in a depth which went way beyond the Coursera MOOC that I took recently, and it's a book which will repay reading again to extract out of it all that I missed or skipped past the first time.
Be warned, though - this is not easy reading. Don't buy this if you're looking for a glib look at UFOs or alien abductions or anything - these are not the subjects of the book. But if you are looking at possible explanations of how the universe began, how planets are formed, what conditions are necessary for life to start, and some of the possible mechanisms by which it may have begun, as well as some philosophical considerations, then this is a good place to begin.
The astrophysics and the atomic physics were easier for me to get on with (but of course, that's just me - it may be that other people have different specialties).
Overall, though, the authors provide a comprehensive look at the field, in a depth which went way beyond the Coursera MOOC that I took recently, and it's a book which will repay reading again to extract out of it all that I missed or skipped past the first time.
Be warned, though - this is not easy reading. Don't buy this if you're looking for a glib look at UFOs or alien abductions or anything - these are not the subjects of the book. But if you are looking at possible explanations of how the universe began, how planets are formed, what conditions are necessary for life to start, and some of the possible mechanisms by which it may have begun, as well as some philosophical considerations, then this is a good place to begin.
December 27, 2014
This is the Textbook that I chose for my Molecules of Astrobiology topics course that I will be teaching in Spring of 2015. I chose this book because I felt that it would be accessible to most Biology and Chemistry students. Since my course will be more of a Molecular Biology/Biochemistry course, this book offers an introduction to the field that does not require a degree in Astronomy or Physics. While I wouldn't suggest it to the casual reader, it would be a goodread for the armchair-scientist.
March 8, 2013
This was suggested reading for an Astrobiology course I recently had. I found this text very easy to follow with my class work and found additional information that wasn't covered from the course.
I liked the simplicity of this text and it generated some interest in the area of extremophiles. I look forward to learning more about them, esp. for an upcoming course on exoplanets.
I liked the simplicity of this text and it generated some interest in the area of extremophiles. I look forward to learning more about them, esp. for an upcoming course on exoplanets.
June 10, 2015
Very chemistry heavy. Interesting, but not light reading. I recommend it for those who are interested in the chemistry of life, possible scientific explanation of the origin of life, biological geology, early paleontology, comparative planetary science. Not for everyone, but I know more for having read it.
December 20, 2013
Fascinating read spanning physics, astrophysics, chemistry, micro-biology, climates, geology, biology and evolution.
The best examination of the components of the Drake equation I've ever read.
A bit heavy on the scientific details for readers without a scientific background.
The best examination of the components of the Drake equation I've ever read.
A bit heavy on the scientific details for readers without a scientific background.
October 5, 2009
I read this book long ago for astrobiology class I had with my teacher who is the Kevin Plaxco that authored it. It is a cool book about our origins and DNA/RNA as they came about.
February 10, 2013
My brain is now filled with SCIENCE.
Also, I have learnt that being a scientist improves your chances of a long life. And that there can be no more than 1,000 cows on Mars.
Also, I have learnt that being a scientist improves your chances of a long life. And that there can be no more than 1,000 cows on Mars.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews