Bob Koure
1 min readNov 23, 2021

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>>How do we go from one cell to many different types of organs, tissues, cells?

This has been one of my fascinations with biology for the last couple of decades. It's quite entwined with evolution (in the sense that most, possibly all evolutionary changes are rooted in the developmental process). To dip your toe into that, I'd suggest Sean Carrol's "Endless forms Most Beautiful". Written in 2006, which, in new-science years is a lifetime ago - but it holds up. For a look at the cellular mechanics of how those developmental changes wash across an embryo, I'd suggest Nessa Carey's "Epigenetics Revolution" - and if you search for her on youtube there'll be some of her lectures (start with the one where she illustrates methylation and histones using marshmallows, licorice and toothpicks). Since that book, she's written "Junk DNA", which I also recommend.

There are pdf/epub versions of "endless forms" floating around on the intertubes, but, if you can, get the hard back version from your library. The illustrations are that good.

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Bob Koure
Bob Koure

Written by Bob Koure

Retired software architect, statistical analyst, hotel mgr, bike racer, distance swimmer. Photographer. Amateur historian. Avid reader. Home cook. Never-FBer

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