Ancient Microbes, Extreme Environments, and the Origin of Life /
General Material Designation
[Book]
First Statement of Responsibility
edited by Paul Blum.
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.
Amsterdam :
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Academic Press,
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2001.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
1 online resource (xii, 382 pages :
Other Physical Details
illustrations).
SERIES
Series Title
Advances in applied microbiology ;
Volume Designation
v. 50
INTERNAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES/INDEXES NOTE
Text of Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Although they comprise one of the three fundamental branches of life, it was only the last decade that Archaea were formally recognized as a group alongside Eukaryotes and Bacteria. Bacteria-like in that they are single celled organisms that lack a nucleus and intracellular organelles, the Arachaea also share a large gene set typical of eukaryotes, for making and repairing DNA, RNA and protien. More surprisingly, they only inhabit environments typical of the extremes of early earth--hot springs, thermal ocean vents, saline lake, or oxygen deficient sediments. A breakpoint on the common evolutionary path, it is evident that the Archaea diverged early in the history of life, establishing thier importance in evolutionary sciences. Archaea: Ancient Microbes, Extreme Environments, and the Origin of Life tells this evolving story, furthering our understanding of the microbe commonalities, and providing for evolutionary justification in the use of archaea as mechanistic model systems. Key Features: Provides a unique and current summary of common subcellular mechanisms in archaea and eukaryotes. Emphasizes the use of genomics to provide a biological context for understanding archaea. Contrasts evolutionary studies on the fossil record with those on molecular phylogeny. Includes extensive tables, graphs, images, drawings and other illustrations. Simplifies the interdisciplinary challenge necessary to understand the significance of archaea.