Evolution

This book introduces cutting-edge studies on the spectrum of sex. The sex spectrum can be understood as an interwoven mechanism sustaining graded phenotypes between the two sexes. The book overviews three elements that develop the sex spectrum: genetics, the endocrine system, and the environment. Part I discusses the genetic regulation during sex determination, which often results in a mixture of two sexes or sex reversal. The evolutionary aspects of the genetic determinants are also discussed. Part II presents the involvement of endocrine regulation in the sex spectrum, which covers a broad range of phenotypic events, including sexual behavior and metabolism. Interestingly, sex hormones can also act as sex determinants. Finally, Part III shows that intrinsic factors, such as sex-determining genes and sex hormones, are not the only factors in sex development. The environment surrounding organisms, such as symbiosis and metabolism, act on the sex as critical factors, generating the sex spectrum. Determination and development of the two sexes have been a topic of great interest and a long-standing issue in biology. The book updates the conventional view that biological sex is fixed after birth and sets new perspectives for understanding sex as a spectrum manifested in multiple phenomena. Each chapter contributed by leading experts explains the sex spectrum in various organisms and their underlying mechanisms from the latest ongoing studies. The book provides a valuable resource for not only experts in developmental biology, physiology, and medical science, but also non-scientists and anyone interested in the topic.

Epigenetic modifications comprise heritable gene expression changes that occur without alteration of the DNA sequence and 'co-act' with genetic factors to shape development processes and evolutionary trajectories. Multicellular organisms receive different types of environmental stimuli/stresses that trigger epigenetic modifications during development. These environmentally driven mechanisms represent an underlying cause of phenotypic diversity, especially in metazoans. This book aims to present some of the latest epigenetic insights into the development of metazoans (including humans) as an intersection between their ecology and evolution.

'Mind expanding - this book will change your view of the world forever' Matthew SyedA blueprint for a better future. Playing on the phrase "a theory of everything" in physics, Michael Muthukrishna offers a unified theory of human behavior, culture, and society - a theory of everyone. Drawing on the most recent research across the sciences, humanities, and the emerging field of cultural evolution, he paints a panoramic picture of who we are and exactly what makes human beings different from all other forms of life on the planet. Muthukrishna argues that it is our unique ability to create culture, a shared body of knowledge, skills, and experience passed on from generation to generation that has enabled our current dominance. But it is only by understanding and applying the laws of life - the need for energy, innovation, cooperation and evolution - that we can solve the practical and existential challenges we face as a species. A Theory of Everyone attempts to provide solutions for how to solve the most pressing problems of our collective future, such as polarization, inequality, the "great stagnation" in productivity, and the energy crisis. Casting a bold and ambitious net, this is a must-read for anyone interested in a better future for ourselves and generations to come.

Have you ever wanted to know how Homo sapiens became "human?"In the beginning, Homo sapiens was just one of the human species in the world. After centuries of coexistence, it was the only survivor. How did that happen?This captivating book on Homo sapiens uncovers the secrets of our species and what made us human. From their humble beginnings in the dawn of prehistory, Homo sapiens rose to become one of the most resilient species in the world.Unlike many other creatures, Homo sapiens lack the physical prowess of fierce predators. Yet, armed with an exceptional cognitive capacity, our species has defied the odds. How did we achieve that?This book uncovers the fascinating stories locked within our DNA, as well as our cultural legacy, tracing the history of our species since its very beginnings. Our cognitive capabilities and advanced communication skills have paved the way for our species' success. From harnessing the power of fire to mastering the art of metalworking, our ancestors were relentless inventors who tamed the wild and conquered new frontiers.Transporting readers back in time, this captivating exploration begins seven million years ago in Africa. Witness the remarkable moment when a group of primates started walking upright, setting in motion the extraordinary story of our species.In the book, you will discover these fascinating things about Homo sapiens:How walking upright made us humanWhat was the relationship between Homo sapiens and the NeanderthalsHow Homo sapiens became the last surviving human species on EarthAll about Homo sapiens migrations around the globe throughout prehistoryFascinating insights about prehistoric stone toolsHow our species developed language and human thoughtHow the invention of agriculture revolutionized the worldAnd much, much more!

Impossible Monsters is the captivating story of the discovery of the dinosaurs and how it upended our understanding of the origins of the world.'An astonishing book about an extraordinary subject' PETER FRANKOPAN'As thrilling as it is sweeping' TOM HOLLAND'This book dazzles in its originality . . . a triumph' SATHNAM SANGHERAIn 1811, a twelve-year-old girl uncovered some strange-looking bones in Britain's southern shoreline. They belonged to no known creature and were buried beneath a hundred feet of rock. Over the next two decades, as several more of these 'impossible monsters' emerged from the soil, the leading scientists of the day were forced to confront a profoundly disturbing possibility: the Bible, as a historical account of the Earth's origins, was wildly wrong.This is the dramatic story of the crisis that engulfed science and religion when we discovered the dinosaurs. It takes us into the lives and minds of the extraordinary men and women who made these heretical discoveries, those who resisted them, as well as the pioneering thinkers, Darwin most famous among them, who took great risks to construct a new account of the earth's and mankind's origins.Impossible Monsters is the riveting story of a group of people who not only thought impossible things but showed them to be true. In the process they overturned the literal reading of the Bible, liberated science from the authority of religion and ushered in the secular age.'Truly marvellous ... an intellectual thriller' RICHARD HOLMES'A stunning work ... of surprises and revelations' STEVE BRUSATTE

This book describes the developmental process of the brain of the medaka fish. It aims to understand the brain structure of vertebrates, including humans, by taking the brain of the medaka fish as an example and showing its actual developmental process. From developmental and evolutionary viewpoints, the understanding of the brain proceeds from simple to complex structures. Fish retain the basic form of vertebrates, and their brain morphology is relatively simple. Therefore, the fish brain is useful in understanding the brain structure. This book is unique for describing the entire process of the brain development in a specific fish. In addition, the book introduces the readers to a new concept of "e;Hourglass of Brain Morphogenesis"e;, concerning the general rule of brain morphogenesis in vertebrates. The authors propose that the brain morphology is highly conserved at the middle developmental stage but diverges more extensively at earlier and later stages. The new concept challenges the accepted theory that has been widely shared for about 200 years since K. von Baer (1828, 1837) and K. von Kupffer (1906) who proposed that three primary brain vesicles at earlier developmental stages develop into five secondary brain vesicles at later developmental stages in all vertebrates. The book provides a basic understanding of the vertebrate brain and is useful for all readers who wish to understand the complex structure of the brain. 

By early morning 30 June 1860, a large crowd began to congregate in front of Oxford University's brand-new Museum of Natural History. The occasion was the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science and the subject of discussion was Charles Darwin's new treatise: fact or fiction? Darwin had introduced a cogent explanation of the origin of species-how they adapted, even transmogrified, through natural selection. At stake was the very foundation of modern biology, not to mention the future of the church.In Origin Story, medical historian Howard Markel recounts the two-year period (1858-1860) of Darwin's writing of On the Origin of Species through its spectacular success and controversy. Simultaneously, Markel delves into the mysterious health symptoms Darwin developed, presenting the first accurate diagnosis of a case that has long fascinated medical historians. The result is a colourful portrait of the man, his friends and enemies and his seminal work, which resonates to this day.

Conscious sensations ground our sense of self, but is it only humans who feel this way? Do other animals? Will future machines? Nicholas Humphrey tells the story of his quest to understand the evolutionary history of consciousness and explains the startling answers he has come to.

Darwin decía que las especies cambian para sobrevivir: viene un terremoto, se produce una inundación y sólo viven los que pueden correr más rápido o los que saben nadar. De acuerdo, pero ¿qué nos dice esta teoría sobre los cambios que no conducen a una mayor probabilidad de supervivencia o reproducción? Muy poco. ¿Por qué los dientes molares del hombre han disminuido de tamaño a lo largo de los siglos, al igual que los dedos de los pies? Desde luego, no para sobrevivir y reproducirse mejor. Veremos a lo largo de esta obra varios ejemplos que la teoría de Darwin no puede explicar y posibles razonamientos alternativos, respaldadas por experimentos científicos validados y aceptados por la comunidad científica. ¿Se equivocó Darwin? ¡Desde luego que no! Pero, como todas las obras de la ciencia, requiere revisiones y mejoras

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Intelligent Design goes well beyond the evolution debate. This book explores the science of this vast subject from the universe to life as well as going down to cells and DNA. It argues that the origin of first life, complexities of a cell, unparallel information system in DNA and many perfect systems seen in all life can only come from intelligence. It also draws evidence from lesser explored topics such as the brain- the most complex in the universe, power of the zygote, superior animal features, phylogenetics, microbiome, development of sexes in new species, physiology and fine-tuning of over 200 parameters in the universe, solar system, the earth as well as in the environment needed for life. It dissects fallacies and limitations of Darwinism falling well short of the biological complexities of all life, while agreeing with microevolution, which is a drop in the ocean of macroevolution. It concludes the impossible task of producing 8.7 million species with just two mechanisms of Darwinian theory namely random mutations and natural selection. Evidenced by purpose and fine-tuning at every level of complexity, this book gives proof of Intelligent Design based on undisputable mathematical probabilities.