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You
i 
You
A Natural History

William B. Irvine

i 

1
1
Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers
the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education
by publishing worldwide. Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University
Press in the UK and certain other countries.

Published in the United States of America by Oxford University Press

198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States of America.

© William B. Irvine 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in

a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the
prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted
by law, by license, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reproduction
rights organization. Inquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the
above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the
address above.

You must not circulate this work in any other form

and you must impose this same condition on any acquirer.

Library of Congress Cataloging-​in-​Publication Data

Names: Irvine, William Braxton, 1952– author.
Title: You : a natural history / William B. Irvine.
Description: New York, NY : Oxford University Press, 2018. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018012957 | ISBN 9780190869199
Subjects: LCSH: Human biology. | Human beings—Constitution.
Classification: LCC QP34.5 .I78 2018 | DDC 612—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018012957

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed by Sheridan Books, Inc., United States of America
 To Jamie,
For helping give the cellular me
a second chance at life,
and for so much more
i

Contents

Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: Your Multiple Identities xi

Part I | Your Deep Ancestry

1. Your People 3

2. You and I Are Related 14

3. You Have a Great Throwing Arm 23

4. Your Place on the Tree of Life 34

5. Your Sex Problem(s) 45

6. The Neanderthal in Your Family Tree 55

7. The Code(s) by Which You Live 68

8. Your (Alien?) Roots 75

Part II | The Cellular You

9. You Are Complex 87

10. Your Ancestors Were Boring 95

11. Your “Cellmates” 103

12. Your “Boarders” 113

vii
viii i Contents
Part III | The Atomic You
13. You Are What You Eat, Ate 123

14. Your Windblown Past 130

15. Your Cosmic Connection 139

16. Pulling Yourself Together 146

Part IV | Your Place in the Universe

17. You Are a Gene Machine 159

18. You Are (Merely) Part of Life 169

19. Your Many Afterlives 176

20. Why Are You Here? 185

Notes 193
Works Cited 209
Index 221
 Acknowledgments

The foundation for this book was laid when George W. Bush was president,
the research and writing were done during the Obama administration, and the final
revisions were made during the Trump administration. During this period, many people
and institutions played a role in making this book possible. I would like to take this op-
portunity to thank them.
I want to give particular thanks to Wright State University for the course reductions it
granted me in the 2015‒16 and 2016‒17 school years. The time I thereby gained was spent
writing and revising the words that follow.
I want to thank the many people who looked at and commented on book chapters,
including Kevin de Queiroz at the Smithsonian Institution and his biologist brother
Alan; Jayme Dyer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Matthew Gale in Yellow
Springs, Ohio; Erik Hill at Campbell University; Steven Karafit at the University of
Central Arkansas; Massimo Pigliucci at City University of New York; Robert Riordan
at Wright State University; and Sarah Roe at Southern Connecticut State University.
I would also like to thank William M. Irvine at the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst. In case you are wondering, yes he is a relative of the author—​as is every other
person on the planet—​but not a close relative.

ix
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xi Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the anonymous readers at Oxford University Press for their
helpful comments on my proposal and offer a special thanks to the anonymous reader
who read large parts of the book.
A special thanks goes to Jeremy Lewis, science editor at Oxford University Press.
And finally, I want to thank Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute for permission to
use their illustration of all the earth’s water drawn into one big drop (in Figure 16.3), and
to David M. Hillis, Derrick Zwickl, and Robin Gutell for permission to use their innova-
tive trees of life (in Figures 4.3 and 4.4).
 Introduction
Your Multiple Identities

You are many things. You are, first and foremost, a person. You may or may not be a
parent, but you are necessarily someone’s son or daughter. If pressed for more detail, you
might go on to identify yourself as being, say, an accountant, a recreational bassoonist,
and a member of the middle class. You might add that you are a citizen of a certain
country and that you are of a certain ethnicity and race.
Ask a scientist what you are, though, and you will get a radically different descrip-
tion. An evolutionary biologist, for example, might see you primarily as a member of the
species Homo sapiens, whereas a microbiologist might tell you that what you are, essen-
tially, is a collection of cells. She might add that for you to remain healthy, you must share
your body with trillions of microbes. These single-​celled organisms live in your gut and
various other organs, and they inhabit every square millimeter of your skin. There are
so many of them that if we did a census of the cells in and on your body, we would find
that nine out of ten of them not only aren’t human, but they belong to a different do-
main of living things than your human cells do.1 And even stranger, it turns out that your
human cells have within them the descendants of ancient bacteria. These mitochondria,
as microbiologists call them, have their own distinct DNA, and without the power they
provide, you would not be the magnificent multicellular organism that you are.
A physicist will likely take issue with the microbiologist’s characterization of you. Yes,
you are a collection of cells, but this doesn’t get to the bottom of things, since those
cells are themselves collections of atoms. The atoms in question came into existence long

xi
Another Random Scribd Document
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 Biology - Instructor Guide
Second 2021 - Program

Prepared by: Professor Williams

Date: August 12, 2025

Summary 1: Study tips and learning strategies

Learning Objective 1: Best practices and recommendations
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Learning Objective 2: Literature review and discussion
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Learning Objective 3: Case studies and real-world applications
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Learning Objective 4: Study tips and learning strategies
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Learning Objective 5: Current trends and future directions
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 5: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
[Figure 6: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Important: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 7: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Current trends and future directions
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Note: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Key Concept: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
References 2: Ethical considerations and implications
Important: Literature review and discussion
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Key Concept: Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Historical development and evolution
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Note: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Fundamental concepts and principles
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 14: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Note: Literature review and discussion
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 15: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Definition: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Key Concept: Case studies and real-world applications
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Current trends and future directions
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 18: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Note: Research findings and conclusions
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Remember: Historical development and evolution
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Unit 3: Historical development and evolution
Note: Best practices and recommendations
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Experimental procedures and results
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Practice Problem 22: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Case studies and real-world applications
• Assessment criteria and rubrics
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Example 24: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 25: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Remember: Practical applications and examples
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 26: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Important: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 27: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Important: Practical applications and examples
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Example 28: Best practices and recommendations
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 29: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Practice Problem 29: Experimental procedures and results
• Interdisciplinary approaches
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Methodology 4: Ethical considerations and implications
Key Concept: Literature review and discussion
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 31: Case studies and real-world applications
• Study tips and learning strategies
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Practical applications and examples
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Definition: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Research findings and conclusions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Interdisciplinary approaches
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Study tips and learning strategies
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 36: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Key Concept: Comparative analysis and synthesis
• Assessment criteria and rubrics
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 37: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Note: Practical applications and examples
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Example 38: Literature review and discussion
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Best practices and recommendations
• Experimental procedures and results
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Test 5: Critical analysis and evaluation
Example 40: Study tips and learning strategies
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 41: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Remember: Key terms and definitions
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Key Concept: Best practices and recommendations
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Key Concept: Assessment criteria and rubrics
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Definition: Current trends and future directions
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Fundamental concepts and principles
• Case studies and real-world applications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 46: Experimental procedures and results
• Ethical considerations and implications
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 47: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Example 47: Practical applications and examples
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 48: Ethical considerations and implications
• Best practices and recommendations
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Remember: Current trends and future directions
• Learning outcomes and objectives
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
References 6: Current trends and future directions
Definition: Experimental procedures and results
• Historical development and evolution
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
Important: Study tips and learning strategies
• Key terms and definitions
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
[Figure 52: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Example 52: Theoretical framework and methodology
• Problem-solving strategies and techniques
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Definition: Learning outcomes and objectives
• Literature review and discussion
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
[Figure 54: Diagram/Chart/Graph]
Note: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Theoretical framework and methodology
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Practice Problem 55: Problem-solving strategies and techniques
• Critical analysis and evaluation
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
Formula: [Mathematical expression or equation]
Important: Current trends and future directions
• Comparative analysis and synthesis
- Sub-point: Additional details and explanations
- Example: Practical application scenario
- Note: Important consideration
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