THE ORIGINS OF LIFE AND THE UNIVERSE

Lurquin, a professor of genetics at Washington State University, surveys the creation of life from the Big Bang through the development of simple amino acids and proteins, the appearance of RNA and DNA and, finally, the development of single-cell organisms. The creation of basic life forms is more than enough to keep him busy, so he doesn't pursue advanced natural selection or the evolution of humans. He explains in simple layperson's terms how early forms of genetic material could replicate and assume more complicated forms, and how early single-cell creatures assimilated other single-cell organisms (the origin of the mitochondria in our own cells) and developed more complex metabolisms. In his last chapter, Lurquin speculates on what may happen in the far distant future as the sun expands, then shrinks and eventually blinks out, and black holes swallow up all the galaxies in the universe. He treats competing theories of the origin of simple amino acids and proteins with an even hand and respectfully refutes some of the objections of neo-creationists to the "accidental" creation of life and evolution. Lurquin skillfully weaves together topics in cosmology, genetics and biology. Although dedicated science buffs probably won't find much that's new, novices and especially high school students looking for a well-rounded intro will find the book thought provoking. 53 illus. (May)