XVUl CONTENTS 



Chapter VIII 

 THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRST ORGANISMS 



The evolution of the initial systems ... ... ... 347 



The principle of selection ... ... ... ... 349 



Processes of self-renewal of the systems ... ... ... 354 



The origin of the capacity of the systems for self-preserva- 

 tion and growth ... ... ... ... ... 356 



The origin of the highly dynamic state of the systems ... 358 



The origin of systems capable of reproducing themselves 359 



The evolution of metabolism: the origin of enzymes ... 363 



The origin of the co-ordinated networks of reactions: the 



origin of the first organisms ... ... ... 374 



Chapter IX 



THE FURTHER EVOLUTION OF 

 THE FIRST ORGANISMS 



The concept of comparative biochemistry 



The first living things — heterotrophs and anaerobes 



Different forms of energy metabolism ... 



Photochemical reactions 



The formation of free oxygen 



Chemosynthesis 



Photosynthesis 



The origin of respiration 



Conclusion ... 

 Index 



397 

 399 

 419 

 438 

 448 



450 



455 

 464 



487 

 491 



