A review by duesenklipper
Oxygen: The Molecule That Made the World by Nick Lane
5.0
A very well-written book. The author puts forth some very interesting ideas about how oxygen and oxidation underlie many biological functions and problems.
I'm not really qualified to really make a judgement call on whether he is right on all points, but I find the arguments both plausible and convincing. Especially since he manages to link it all to the history of life on Earth and the evolution of all domains of life. He also neatly kicks out a number of currently-dominant theories, such as the pre-Cambrian oxygen catastrophe. This is the part where I really cannot tell whether he is right or not. However, he makes a plausible argument and is careful to note where the currently available evidence in support of his argument is not yet sufficient.
In any case, a very interesting read for anyone interested in evolution, biochemistry or medicine. Medicine? Yes indeed. The author also examines the effects of oxygen (free radicals) on health, and whether currently fashionable antioxidant treatments are actually useful.
I'm not really qualified to really make a judgement call on whether he is right on all points, but I find the arguments both plausible and convincing. Especially since he manages to link it all to the history of life on Earth and the evolution of all domains of life. He also neatly kicks out a number of currently-dominant theories, such as the pre-Cambrian oxygen catastrophe. This is the part where I really cannot tell whether he is right or not. However, he makes a plausible argument and is careful to note where the currently available evidence in support of his argument is not yet sufficient.
In any case, a very interesting read for anyone interested in evolution, biochemistry or medicine. Medicine? Yes indeed. The author also examines the effects of oxygen (free radicals) on health, and whether currently fashionable antioxidant treatments are actually useful.