Table of Contents
1 Cover
4 1 Astrobiology 1.1 Introductory Remarks 1.2 The Major Questions of Astrobiology and the Content of the Textbook 1.3 Some Other Features of the Textbook 1.4 A Brief History of Astrobiology 1.5 Conclusions Bibliography
5 2 What Is Life? 2.1 The Concept of “Life” 2.2 What Is Life? The Historical Perspective 2.3 Spontaneous Generation 2.4 More Modern Concepts 2.5 Schrödinger and Life 2.6 Life as a Dissipative Process 2.7 Life: Just a Human Definition? 2.8 Does It Matter Anyway? 2.9 Conclusions Bibliography
6 3 Matter and Life 3.1 Matter and Life 3.2 Life Is Made of “Ordinary” Matter 3.3 The Atomic Nucleus 3.4 Electrons, Atoms, and Ions 3.5 Types of Bonding in Matter 3.6 Ionic Bonding 3.7 Covalent Bonding 3.8 Metallic Bonding 3.9 Van der Waals Interactions 3.10 Hydrogen Bonding 3.11 An Astrobiological Perspective 3.12 The Equation of State Describes the Relationship Between Different Types of Matter 3.13 Other States of Matter 3.14 The Interaction Between Matter and Light 3.15 Conclusions Bibliography
7 4 The Molecular Structure of Life 4.1 Building Life 4.2 The Essential Elements: CHNOPS 4.3 Carbon Is Versatile 4.4 The Chains of Life 4.5 Proteins 4.6 Chirality 4.7 Carbohydrates (Sugars) 4.8 Lipids 4.9 The Nucleic Acids 4.10 The Solvent of Life 4.11 Alternative Chemistries 4.12 The Structure of Life and Habitability 4.13 Conclusions Bibliography
8 5 The Cellular Structure of Life 5.1 From Molecules to Cells 5.2 Types of Cells 5.3 Shapes of Cells 5.4 The Structure of Cells 5.5 The Structure of Cellular Membranes 5.6 The Information Storage System of Life 5.7 Eukaryotic Cells 5.8 The Reproduction of Cells 5.9 Why Did Sexual Reproduction Evolve? 5.10 The Growth of Populations of Cells 5.11 Moving and Communicating 5.12 Viruses 5.13 Prions 5.14 Conclusions Bibliography
9 6 Energy for Life 6.1 Energy and Astrobiology 6.2 Life and Energy 6.3 The Central Role of Adenosine Triphosphate 6.4 Chemiosmosis and Energy Acquisition