Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1111425698 ISBN 13: 9781111425692

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 2012

Renowned for its writing style and trendsetting art, BIOLOGY: THE UNITY AND DIVERSITY OF LIFE provides real-world applications and helps you think critically about them. The new edition offers a new Learning Roadmap in each chapter to help you gain a full understanding. You will be able to focus on key concepts, make connections to other concepts, and see where the material is leading. Helpful learning tools like the section-ending "Take-Home Messages" and the on-page running glossary ensure that you will grasp key points. Carefully balancing accessibility and the level of detail, the authors enable you to go beyond rote memorization and prepare you to make important decisions in life that require an understanding of biology and the process of science.

About the Author:

For decades, Cecie Starr has been known as one of the best-selling biology textbook authors. Her texts, appreciated for their clarity in both the written word and the visual representation of biological concepts, include multiple editions of BIOLOGY: THE UNITY AND DIVERSITY OF LIFE, BIOLOGY: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS, and BIOLOGY TODAY AND TOMORROW. Her original dream was to become an architect. Instead of building houses, she now builds, with care and attention to detail, incredible texts based on this philosophy: "I invite students into a chapter through an intriguing story. Once inside, they get the great windows that biologists construct on the world of life. Biology is not just another house. It is a conceptual mansion. I hope to do it justice."

Ralph Taggart, Former Chair of Biological Sciences at Michigan State University, Ralph Taggert is now the chair of Geological Sciences. Professor Taggart, known for his outstanding research in Paleobotany, has taught the general biology course for over 20 years.

Christine Evers has been providing tools for biology education for more than 20 years. Before becoming a textbook author, she provided content for Genentech's Access Excellence website and developed digital course materials for a variety of publishers. She received her undergraduate education at SUNY Stony Brook and did graduate work at Yale University.

Review:

1. Introduction to Biology. UNIT I: PRINCIPLES OF CELLULAR LIFE. 2. Chemical Basis of Life. 3. Molecules. 4. Cell Structure and Function. 5. Metabolism. 6. Photosynthesis. 7. Cells Release Energy. UNIT II: PRINCIPLES OF INHERITANCE. 8. DNA Structure and Function. 9. DNA to Protein. 10. Control Over Genes. 11. Cells Reproduce. 12. Meiosis. 13. Patterns of Inherited Traits. 14. Human Inheritance. 15. Genomes. UNIT III: PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION. 16. Evidence of Evolution. 17. Processes of Evolution. 18. Information About Species. 19. Early Evolution. UNIT IV: EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY. 20. Viruses and Prokaryotes. 21. Protists. 22. Plants. 23. Fungi. 24. Invertebrates. 25. Chordates. 26. Human Evolution. 27. Plant Tissues. UNIT V: HOW PLANTS WORK. 28. Plant Nutrition. 29. Plant Reproduction. 30. Plant Development. UNIT VI: HOW ANIMALS WORK. 31. Animal Organ Systems. 32. Neural Control. 33. Sensory System. 34. Endocrine System. 35. Support and Movement. 36. Circulation. 37. Immune System. 38. Respiration. 39. Nutrition and Digestion. 40. Internal Environment. 41. Reproductive Systems. 42. Development. 43. Behavior. UNIT VII: PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY. 44. Ecology. 45. Biodiversity. 46. Ecosystems. 47. Biosphere. 48. Human Impact on the Bioshphere. APPENDICES. A1. Classification System. A2. How to Read a Journal Article. A3. Answers to Self-Quizzes and Genetics Problems. A4. Periodic Table of Elements. A5. Closer Look at Some Major Metabolic Pathways. A6. A Plain English Map of the Human Chromosomes. A7. Restless Earth-Life's Changing Geological Stage. A8. Units of Measure. GLOSSARY.