Life and Death, Heredity and Evolution in Unicellular Organisms (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

How do single cells mate, change, and pass on traits through the tiniest lives?

This book surveys the curious world of unicellular organisms, showing how mating, heredity, aging, and variation unfold at the level of the cell nucleus. Through classic experiments and careful observation, it invites readers to rethink what sex means in the micro realm.

Jennings guides you through the mechanisms of conjugation and nucleus exchange in organisms like Paramecium and Chilodon, and explores competing ideas about whether sex is driven by simple positions or by deeper physiological differences. The text uses clear diagrams and historical context to connect each observation to the bigger questions about life, reproduction, and evolution in single cells.

• How two cells come together and exchange genetic material through nuclear halves.
• Competing viewpoints on what creates sex—external differences versus intrinsic cellular differences.
• Examples from protozoa that illuminate the movement and reunion of nuclei during mating.
• Foundational concepts like micronuclei, macronuclei, and the idea of rejuvenescence through union.

Ideal for readers curious about the origins of heredity and the biology of life at its smallest scale.

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