Power, Sex, Suicide
"Today, mitochondria are central to research into human prehistory, genetic diseases, cell suicide, fertility, ageing, bioenergetics, sex, and the eukaryotic cell. Piecing together puzzles from the forefront of research, this book paints a sweeping canvas that will thrill all who are interested in biology, while also contributing to evolutionary thinking and debate. This is a book full of insights into the nature and evolution of life, and should be read by anyone who wants to know why we're here."--Jacket.
Stats for nerds
18recommend
45mentions
23people
2010–2026years
80% recommend20% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- I think the Nick Lane books are quite good - especially:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power,_Sex,_Suicide
which, IIRC, discussed the notion of an semi-autonomous population of mitochondria in long lived tissues (like muscle) which could be curated over ones lifetime by high intensity exercise stress. Future mitochondria in these long-lived tissues would then not be descended from the poorer performing members who were weeded out through apoptosis.
- They were, originally. Over the eons, they have lost many of their original genes. Source: Nick Lanes fantastic books, specially Power, Sex, Suicide
- I’m surprised by this statement.
Here is a quote from Nick Lane’s great text: Power, Sex, Suicide (p 153):
> The early Earth, as envisaged by [Michael J] Russell, is a giant electrochemical cell, which depends in the power of the sun to oxidize the oceans. UV rays split water and oxidize iron. Hydrogen, released from the water, is so light that it is not retained by gravity, and evaporates into space. The oceans become gradually oxidized relative to the more reduced conditions of the mantle.”
Lanes cites this paper “On the origins of cells: A hypothesis for the evolutionary transition from abiotic to nucleated cells”, 2003, by Martin and Russell
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12594918/
Am I missing something? This text forces me to assume that solar UV splitting water is the cause of the O2 atmospheric flooding.
- Endothermy vs ectothermy is much more about aerobic vs anaerobic metabolism.
Endotherms can sustain high levels of physical activity for hours and days. An ectotherm is lucky to go one minute.
Nick Lane’s fabulous book:
“Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life” is the right place to start.
- If this is exciting to you, I’d recommend “Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life” by Nick Lane [0].
It’s a fascinating and captivating (albeit dense) exploration into the concept that mitochondria were central to the success of eukaryotic life. I read it in a book club during my PhD.
[0] https://nick-lane.net/books/power-sex-suicide-mitochondria-m...
- You would likely enjoy the book "Power, Sex, Suicide - Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life" by nick Hall, one of the most insightful books I've read in a while. It is all about the evolutionary history of mitochondria and our complex cells and how it affects our and other animals' lives. I learned something new on every page. Dense but very well written and clear to follow.
