Information Theory, Evolution, and the Origin of Life

Front Cover
Cambridge University Press, Apr 18, 2005 - Computers - 259 pages
Information Theory, Evolution and the Origin of Life presents a timely introduction to the use of information theory and coding theory in molecular biology. The genetical information system, because it is linear and digital, resembles the algorithmic language of computers. George Gamow pointed out that the application of Shannon's information theory breaks genetics and molecular biology out of the descriptive mode into the quantitative mode and Dr Yockey develops this theme, discussing how information theory and coding theory can be applied to molecular biology. He discusses how these tools for measuring the information in the sequences of the genome and the proteome are essential for our complete understanding of the nature and origin of life. The author writes for the computer competent reader who is interested in evolution and the origins of life.
 

Contents

The Central Dogma of molecular biology
20
Communication of information from the genome to
33
The information content or complexity
57
Evolution of the genetic code and its modern
93
Haeckels Urschleim and the role of the Central Dogma
114
Philosophical approaches to the origin of life
149
Randomness complexity the unknowable
164
Epilogue
182
Mathematical appendix
191
Glossary
213
Index
251
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page vii - It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things.

Bibliographic information