Читать книгу Astrobiology - Charles S. Cockell - Страница 72

In Chapter 3, we saw how different bonding types allow for the association of atoms, ions, and molecules. Life assembles these units, a bit like a construction kit, into macromolecules (large molecules), which themselves form the architecture of all cells from which life is assembled.

In this chapter, we focus on the construction of living things from the atomic scale to this larger molecular scale. We explore some of the characteristics of the major groups of molecules that make up living things. We also identify and discuss common themes and principles that emerge about the construction of living things.