Biology: Understanding Life, 1st Edition

by Sandra Alters; Brian Alters (McGill University)

• ISBN13: 9780471433651
• ISBN10: 0471433659
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-02-01
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Sandra Alters is formerly a tenured professor of biology and education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a professor of biology at Salem State College (MA). After teaching for over 25 years and teaching non-majors introductory biology for 10 years, Sandy left academia to write full time. She has over 20 years experience in science textbook writing in particular and science writing in general. She and her husband Brian are the only Ph.D. science educators currently authoring a non-majors college biology textbook. This book and its related ancillaries reflect their strong focus on science education.

 Brian Alters, Sir William Dawson Scholar, holds appointments internationally at McGill University, Montreal, where he recently won the university’s highest teaching award, and at Harvard University, Cambridge. Brian is founder and director of the Evolution Education Research Center, a joint involvement between professors of McGill and Harvard universities. He writes primarily about evolution education and teaching.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: AN INTRODUCTION

1. Biology: Understanding Life

2. How Scientists Do Their Work

PART TWO: CELLS AND HOW THEY TRANSFORM ENERGY

3. The Chemistry of Life

4. Biological Molecules

5. Cell Structure and Function

6. The Flow of Energy Within Organisms

7. Storing Energy from the Sun: Photosynthesis

8. Releasing Energy from Carbohydrates: Cellular Respiration

PART THREE: GENETICS

9. DNA Structure and Replication

10. Gene Expression and Regulation

11. Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering

12. Cell Reproduction

13. Patterns of Inheritance

14. Human Genetics

PART FOUR: PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION

15. The History and Development of Evolutionary Theory

16. Beyond Darwin: A Genetic Basis of Evolution

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

18. The Evolution of Life on Earth

PART FIVE: BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY & ITS EVOLUTION

19. Viruses and Bacteria

20. Protists, Fungi, & Plants

21. Invertebrates

22. Chordates & Vertebrates

PART SIX: PLANT ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

23. Patterns of Reproduction in Plants

24. Patterns of Structure and Function in Plants

25. Control Systems in Plants

PART SEVEN: ANIMAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

26. Tissues

27. Digestion

28. Respiration

29. Circulation

30. Defense Against Disease

31. Excretion

32. Nervous System Communication

33. The Senses

34. Protection, Support, & Movement

35. Hormones

36. Sex, Reproduction, & Development

PART EIGHT: INTERACTIONS AMONG ORGANISMS AND WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

37. Behavior

38. Population Ecology

39. Interactions Within Communities

40. Ecosystems

41. Biomes and Life Zones of the World

42. The Biosphere: Today and Tomorrow