Biology: Understanding Life

Description:

Designed for a one or two semester non-majors course in introductory biology taught at most two and four-year colleges. This course typically fulfills a general education requirement, and rather than emphasizing mastery of technical topics, it focuses on the understanding of biological ideas and concepts, how they relate to real life, and appreciating the scientific methods and thought processes. Given the authors' work in and dedication to science education, this text's writing style, pedagogy, and integrated support package are all based on classroom-tested teaching strategies and learning theory. The result is a learning program that enhances the effectiveness & efficiency of the teaching and learning experience in the introductory biology course like no other before it.

 

Table of Contents:

PART ONE: AN INTRODUCTION.

Chapter 1. Biology: Understanding Life.

Chapter 2. How Scientists Do Their Work.

PART TWO: CELLS AND HOW THEY TRANSFORM ENERGY.

Chapter 3. The Chemistry of Life.

Chapter 4. Biological Molecules.

Chapter 5. Cell Structure and Function.

Chapter 6. The Flow of Energy Within Organisms.

Chapter 7. Storing Energy from the Sun: Photosynthesis.

Chapter 8. Releasing Energy from Carbohydrates: Cellular Respiration.

PART THREE: GENETICS.

Chapter 9. DNA Structure and Replication.

Chapter 10. Gene Expression and Regulation.

Chapter 11. Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering.

Chapter 12. Cell Reproduction.

Chapter 13. Patterns of Inheritance.

Chapter 14. Human Genetics.

PART FOUR: PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION.

Chapter 15. The History and Development of Evolutionary Theory.

Chapter 16. Beyond Darwin: A Genetic Basis of Evolution.

Chapter 17. Speciation & Extinction: How Species Arise & Die Out.

Chapter 18. The Evolution of Life on Earth.

PART FIVE: BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY & ITS EVOLUTION.

Chapter 19. Viruses and Bacteria.

Chapter 20. Protists, Fungi, & Plants.

Chapter 21. Invertebrates.

Chapter 22. Chordates & Vertebrates.

PART SIX: PLANT ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY.

Chapter 23. Patterns of Reproduction in Plants.

Chapter 24. Patterns of Structure and Function in Plants.

Chapter 25. Control Systems in Plants.

PART SEVEN: ANIMAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY.

Chapter 26. Tissues.

Chapter 27. Digestion.

Chapter 28. Respiration.

Chapter 29. Circulation.

Chapter 30. Defense Against Disease.

Chapter 31. Excretion.

Chapter 32. Nervous System Communication.

Chapter 33. The Senses.

Chapter 34. Protection, Support, & Movement.

Chapter 35. Hormones.

Chapter 36. Sex, Reproduction, & Development.

PART EIGHT: INTERACTIONS AMONG ORGANISMS AND WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.

Chapter 37. Behavior.

Chapter 38. Population Ecology.

Chapter 39. Interactions Within Communities.

Chapter 40. Ecosystems.

Chapter 41. Biomes and Life Zones of the World.

Chapter 42. The Biosphere: Today and Tomorrow.

Appendix A: A Scientific Journal Article Examined.

Appendix B: Periodic Table of the Elements.

Appendix C: Units of Measurement.

Appendix D: Answers.

Glossary.

Credits.

Index.