Biology : Life on Earth

by Audesirk, Gerald; Audesirk, Teresa; Byers, Bruce E.

• ISBN13: 9780321598479
• ISBN10: 0321598474
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-01-13
• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings

Summary

Known for its thorough coverage of diversity, ecology, and environmental issues, this comprehensive book engages you with integrated, relevant case studies, and challenges you with thought-provoking questions throughout each chapter.

The fully revised Biology: Life on Earth, Ninth Edition, has the same friendly writing style appreciated by thousands of students, but with greater emphasis on engaging, real-world applications. New to this edition are “Case Study Continued” sections, which connect a chapter’s case study to relevant biological topics covered in the chapter, and “Have you ever wondered?” features that respond to commonly asked questions from students. Thoroughly revised illustrations and expanded critical thinking questions have been added to each chapter and are supplemented by the powerful new Mastering Biology™ program that helps you make effective use of your study time outside of the classroom.

For coverage of plant and animal anatomy & physiology, an alternate edition—Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology, Ninth Edition—is also available.

Key Topics: An Introduction to Life on Earth, Atoms, Molecules, and Life, Biological Molecules, Cell Structure and Function,

Cell Membrane Structure and Function, Energy Flow in the Life of a Cell, Capturing Solar Energy: Photosynthesis, Harvesting Energy: Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration, The Continuity of Life: Cellular Reproduction, Patterns of Inheritance, The Molecule of Heredity, Gene Expression and Regulation, Biotechnology, Principles of Evolution, How Populations Evolve, The Origin of Species, The History of Life, Systematics: Seeking Order Amidst Diversity, The Diversity of Prokaryotes and Viruses,The Diversity of Protists, The Diversity of Plants, The Diversity of Fungi, Animal Diversity I: Invertebrates, Animal Diversity II: Vertebrates,

Animal Behavior, Population Growth and Regulation, Community Interactions, How Do Ecosystems Work', Earth’s Diverse Ecosystems, Conserving Earth’s Biodiversity

Market Description: Intended for those interested in learning the basics of biology.

Author Biography

Terry and Gerry Audesirk grew up in New Jersey, where they met as undergraduates. After marrying in 1970, they moved to California, where Terry earned her doctorate in marine ecology at the University of Southern California and Gerry earned his doctorate in neurobiology at the California Institute of Technology. As postdoctoral fellows at the University of Washington’s marine laboratories, they worked together on the neural bases of behavior, using a marine mollusk as a model system. The Audesirks joined the faculty of the University of Colorado, Denver, in 1982, where they taught introductory biology and neurobiology, and researched mechanisms of heavy metal toxicity and the effects of estrogen on cultured neurons until their retirement in 2006.

Terry and Gerry share a deep appreciation of nature and of the outdoors. After retirement, they moved to a ranch near Steamboat Springs, where they enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. Long-time members of many conservation organizations, they do volunteer work with the Nature Conservatory. 

 

Bruce E. Byers , a midwesterner transplanted to the hills of western Massachusetts, is a professor in the biology department at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has been a member of the faculty at UMass (where he also completed his doctoral degree) since 1993. Bruce teaches courses in ornithology and evolution.

            A lifelong fascination with birds ultimately led Bruce to scientific exploration of avian biology. His current research focuses on the behavioral ecology of birds, especially on the function and evolution of the vocal signals that birds use to communicate. The pursuit of vocalizations often takes Bruce outdoors, where he can be found before dawn, tape recorder in hand, awaiting the first songs of a new day.

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Life on Earth 

I. THE LIFE OF A CELL

2. Atoms, Molecules, and Life  

3. Biological Molecules  

4. Cell Structure and Function  

5. Cell Membrane Structure and Function

6. Energy Flow in the Life of a Cell  

7. Capturing Solar Energy: Photosynthesis  

8. Harvesting Energy: Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration  

II. INHERITANCE

9. The Continuity of Life: Cellular Reproduction

10. Patterns of Inheritance 

11. The Molecule of Heredity 

12. Gene Expression and Regulation 

13. Biotechnology  

III. EVOLUTION

14. Principles of Evolution  

15. How Populations Evolve  

16. The Origin of Species  

17. The History of Life  

18. Systematics: Seeking Order Amidst Diversity  

19. The Diversity of Prokaryotes and Viruses

20. The Diversity of Protists

21. The Diversity of Plants  

22. The Diversity of Fungi  

23. Animal Diversity I: Invertebrates  

24. Animal Diversity II: Vertebrates  

IV. BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY

25. Animal Behavior  

26. Population Growth and Regulation  

27. Community Interactions  

28. How Do Ecosystems Work? 

29. Earth’s Diverse Ecosystems

30. Conserving Earth’s Biodiversity