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Crichton's other major excursion into cutting-edge science involves the trendy field of complexity theory, as translated by the author's mathematician caricature, Ian Malcolm. Building on chaos theory, the big thing of the 1980s, complexity theory argues that groups of randomly operating independent units--amino acids floating in primordial seas, humans acting in their own interests, populations of animals--can spontaneously and without outside direction organize themselves into complex systems--self-reproducing DNA molecules, functioning economies, social groups...
...genes pack such power? The DNA in all genes carries instructions for assembling proteins out of chemical building blocks called amino acids. What sets the proteins made by Hox genes apart is the biochemical motif known as a homeobox, a stylized string of 60 amino acids that enables Hox proteins to stick to DNA like strips of molecular Velcro and, in the process, activate still other genes. Hundreds of genes belong to the extended homeobox family, but those that are also homoeotic -- associated with changes in body parts -- are the most important. Though they are few in number...
...wide net to determine who might have participated. In recent weeks, the grand jury has subpoenaed possible evidence of collusion from agribusiness behemoths Cargill, CPC International and A.E. Staley. The products in question: high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener found in everything from Coca-Cola to cake; lysine, an amino acid used in feeding poultry and hogs; and citric acid, which adds tartness to jams and jellies, among many other uses. Some experts speculated that investigators are focusing on the possibility that ADM set predatory--meaning artificially low--prices on lysine, which Whitacre's BioProducts Division produces. That might help...
...genes. It is called the "white" gene because, among many effects, it influences eye color, and a particular mutation in the gene causes a fly's normally red eyes to be white. The gene's specific job is to produce a protein that enables cells to utilize an essential amino acid called tryptophan. If fruit flies are unable to process tryptophan properly, then they cannot manufacture red eye pigment...
Fruits, vegetables, fish and low-fat dairy products contain high levels of the amino acid methionine, which is important in preventing colon cancer, and folic acid, which is used by the body to make methionine...