Mitochondria are tiny structures within all our cells, believed to have once evolved from bacteria living independent lives. Drawing on research, this book explores the fundamental role they play in some of the biggest themes in biology: evolution, the origin of the sexes, in growth, ageing, disease, and in death.

Mitochondria are tiny structures located inside our cells that carry out the essential task of producing energy for the cell. They are found in all complex living things, and in that sense, they are fundamental for driving complex life on the planet. But, there is much more to them than that. Mitochondria have their own DNA, with their own small collection of genes, separate from those in the cell nucleus. It is thought that they were once bacteria living independent lives. Their enslavement within the larger cell was a turning point in the evolution of life, enabling the development of complex organisms and, closely related, the origin of two sexes. Unlike the DNA in the nucleus, mitochondrial DNA is passed down exclusively (or almost exclusively) via the female line. That's why it has been used by some researchers to trace human ancestry daughter-to-mother, to 'Mitochondrial Eve'. Mitochondria give us important information about our evolutionary history. And, that's not all. Mitochondrial genes mutate much faster than those in the nucleus, because of the free radicals produced in their energy-generating role.;This high mutation rate lies behind our ageing and certain congenital diseases. The latest research suggests that mitochondria play a key role in degenerative diseases, such as cancer, through their involvement in precipitating cell suicide. Mitochondria, then, are pivotal in power, sex, and suicide. In this fascinating and thought-provoking book, Nick Lane brings together the latest research findings in this exciting field to show how our growing understanding of mitochondria is shedding light on how complex life evolved, why sex arose (why don't we just bud?), and why we age and die. This understanding is of fundamental importance, both in understanding how we and all other complex life came to be, but also in order to be able to control our own illnesses, and delay our degeneration and death. 'An extraordinary account of groundbreaking modern science... The book abounds with interesting and important ideas.' - Mark Ridley, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford.

• 1. Introduction: Mitochondria - clandestine rulers of the world
• 2. Hopeful monster - the origin of the eukaryotic cell
• 3. The vital force: Proton power and the origin of life
• 4. Insider deal: Why mitochondria are needed for the evolution of complexity
• 5. Power laws: Size and the ramp of ascending complexity
• 6. Power, sex, suicide: The troubled birth of the individual
• 7. Battle of the sexes: Human prehistory and the nature of gender
• 8. Clock of life: Why mitochondria kill us in the end

Challenging, but rewarding. Vanessa Thorpe, Observer Its the most interesting and significant addendum to Darwin's theory I think I've come across since Richard Dawkins explained how genes are the mechanism for evolution. Independent on Sunday, An enthralling account...The author has accomplished something quite breathtaking... Moreover, he brings the science alive...he is always accessible lively , thought provoking and informative. Every Biologist should read this book