Chapter 7 - Let's Get Physical

The analogies in the beginning of the chapter were really easy to understand (such as "bullies who break down cooperative societies"). The introduction made it clear that all cells need to work together in order to reach harmony within the body. The analogy with 4.5 billion years squeezed into 12 months was easy to identify with as well.

I liked learning about what our body is actually made of, and how it is held together. I guess I never really thought of it as a "glue," but it really makes sense. The experiment with the sponge was very interesting; I never would have thought the sponge would come back together after it had been separated.

Shubin also explains that bodies form and become bigger in order to survive natural selection. This is true because predators are usually the larger species and have the power and speed to take down their smaller prey. This gave a reason for microbes to "build bodies."

~Megan Hsiao