Live Long and Evolve : : What Star Trek Can Teach Us about Evolution, Genetics, and Life on Other Worlds / / Mohamed A. F. Noor.

An engaging journey into the biological principles underpinning a beloved science-fiction franchiseIn Star Trek, crew members travel to unusual planets, meet diverse beings, and encounter unique civilizations. Throughout these remarkable space adventures, does Star Trek reflect biology and evolution...

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Superior document:Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Princeton University Press Complete eBook-Package 2018
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Place / Publishing House:Princeton, NJ : : Princeton University Press, , [2018]
©2018
Year of Publication:2018
Language:English
Online Access:
Physical Description:1 online resource (208 p.)
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Other title:Frontmatter --
CONTENTS --
Preface --
Acknowledgments --
Abbreviations for Star Trek Series --
Chapter 1. "To Seek Out New Life . . ." --
Chapter 2. Charting the Relationships of Species --
Chapter 3. DNA: Evolution's Captain --
Chapter 4. Change over Time: Drivers of Evolution --
Chapter 5. Sex, Reproduction, and the Making of New Species --
Chapter 6. Science versus Science Fiction --
Appendix: Mining Gems and Coal --
Notes --
Suggested Associated Scientific Reading --
Star Trek Episode Index --
Subject Index
Summary:An engaging journey into the biological principles underpinning a beloved science-fiction franchiseIn Star Trek, crew members travel to unusual planets, meet diverse beings, and encounter unique civilizations. Throughout these remarkable space adventures, does Star Trek reflect biology and evolution as we know it? What can the science in the science fiction of Star Trek teach us? In Live Long and Evolve, biologist and die-hard Trekkie Mohamed Noor takes readers on a fun, fact-filled scientific journey.Noor offers Trekkies, science-fiction fans, and anyone curious about how life works a cosmic gateway into introductory biology, including the definitions and origins of life, DNA, reproduction, and evolutionary processes, such as natural selection and genetic drift. For instance, he shows how the rapid change in a population of nanite robots follows basic principles of natural selection that apply to species on Earth. He explains how certain creatures depicted in the series are bisexual, not asexual, and what evolutionary advantage that difference provides. And he considers factors that affect successful interspecies mating and delves into what keeps species distinct. Noor discusses the importance of research and how Star Trek has influenced scientists to engage in cutting-edge work.Giving readers irresistible and entertaining insights, Live Long and Evolve looks at some of the powerful science behind one of the most popular and longest-running science-fiction series.
Format:Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
ISBN:9780691184111
9783110606591
DOI:10.1515/9780691184111?locatt=mode:legacy
Access:restricted access
Hierarchical level:Monograph
Statement of Responsibility: Mohamed A. F. Noor.