Durante la mayor parte de la Historia de la Vida en nuestro planeta, el paisaje viviente semejó una desolada y remota playa en la que la mirada no pudiera descubrir ni rastro de animales o plantas. Solamente algunas manchas de color en los lodazales o las charcas costeras, algún bulto informe sobre las playas o los pantanos, darían algún indicio de los poco llamativos habitantes que pululaban por aquellos mares ancestrales. La historia de estos primeros pasos es lo que pretende relatar este libro.

The monograph examines the evolution of microorganisms and the importance of symbiosis as a mechanism of evolution. Initial chapters discuss serial endosymbiosis theory, diversity, and cell evolution in perspective. The period from prebiotic times through the development of symbiosis is examined in chapters about the Earth before cells, evolution before oxygen, atmospheric oxygen from photosynthesis, and symbiogenesis. Symbiotic evolution is examined in chapters about nuclei, mitosis, and undulipodia; undulipodia from spirochetes; mitochondria; and plastids. The work is summarized with a look at consequences of these theories in the Phanerozoic era.

A collection of essays covering a variety of scientific topics including the nature of technology to the human body, evolution, and ecology.