The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life by Nick Lane

The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life is an insightful and thought-provoking book by esteemed biochemist Nick Lane. In it, Lane delves into the origins of complex life on Earth over 3.5 billion years ago and explores why it evolved in the first place. He argues that the answer likely lies in the secret of energy – how organisms were able to gather, store, use, and disseminate energy for various purposes.

Beginning with a discussion of the history of the development of energy theory from the ancient Greeks to the modern day, Lane then investigates energy-based variety, or 'Vres' – the concept that energy is the basis of all life processes. He suggests that organisms, from bacteria to human beings, are all governed by similar 'energy laws.' He shows how these energy laws are related to natural selection and how this relationship can help to explain some of the fundamental characteristics of life on Earth.

Continuing on, Lane explores the evolution of complexity, looking at why some organisms have evolved to be more complex than others. He posits that it has to do with organisms’ ability to effectively use the energy available to them. When organisms are presented with a sufficient amount of prepackaged energy, they can utilize it to contribute to their physical or metabolic processes. This gives them a competitive advantage, allowing them to survive and adapt to their environment better than other organisms.

Afterward, Lane examines the potential role of oxygen in the diversification of complex life forms. He argues that oxygen has allowed a variety of life forms to exist in different environments, allowing them to take advantage of energy from different sources and exploit the environment in a different way. This theory has been corroborated with multiple experiments, and studies have suggested that oxygen played an important role in the evolution of complex life.

In the concluding chapter, Lane posits that the key to understanding the origin of complex life lies in the ability of organisms to make more efficient use of energy. He argues that the differences between organisms – their metabolic rates, growth rates, resilience, and longevity – all stem from their particular energy strategies. He suggests that energy-based strategies are the basis for the exploration of new environments, the ability to evolve, and the emergence of complex life forms.

Overall, The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life is an engaging and informative exploration of the origins of life on Earth. Using logic, data, and careful reasoning, Lane makes a compelling case for the importance of energy in the development of complex life forms, and demonstrates why this is a crucial factor in our understanding of the universe. It is a must-read for anyone interested in biology, evolution, and the origins of complex life.