This book uses modern biological knowledge to tackle the question of
what distinguishes living organisms from the non-living world. The
authors first draw on recent advances in cell and molecular biology to
develop an account of the living state that applies to all organisms
(and only to organisms). This account is then used to explore questions
about evolution, the origin of life, and the possibility of
extraterrestrial life. The authors also consider human evolution,
intelligence, and the extent to which our species can be regarded as
biologically unique. About Life makes modern cell biology comprehensible
to the non-specialist. Non-technical language is used throughout and all
scientific terms are clearly explained when they are introduced. The
novel approach taken by this book to issues in biology will interest
both the general reader as well as students and specialists in the
field.