What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology w/ Prep-U Access Card

by Phelan, Jay

• ISBN13: 9781429246668
• ISBN10: 1429246669
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Display
• Copyright: 2010-04-19
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman

Summary

Written by an accomplished teacher, practicing biologist, and internationally best-selling author, What Is Life? A Guide to Biology was developed to engage students who may never take another biology course—future business owners, lawyers, teachers, poets, etc.

Drawing on his extensive classroom experience, Jay Phelan focuses on clearly articulating key concepts and eliminating unnecessary detail and topics—without introducing inaccuracies from simplification. What Is Life? prepares students to talk confidently and knowledgeably about science with their friends, to be intelligent consumers of scientific information, and to make responsible decisions about scientific issues.

Now, What Is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology includes chapters on plant and animal physiology.

Table of Contents

1. Scientific Thinking: Your best pathway to understanding the world
2. Chemistry: The nature of matter
3. Cells: The smallest part of you
4. Energy: The sun to you in just two steps
5. DNA and Biotechnology: What is the code and how is it harnessed?
6. Chromosomes and Cell Division: The chemicals of continuity
7. Mendelian Inheritance: How are traits inherited?
8. Evolution and Natural Selection: Darwin’s dangerous idea
9. Evolution and Animal Behavior: Communication, cooperation, and conflict in the animal world
10. The History of Life: Understanding biodiversity
11. Animal Diversification: Where did all the animals come from?
12. Plant and Fungi Diversification: Where did all the plants and fungi come from?
13. Evolution and Diversity among the Microbes: Bacteria and arachaea--life unseen
14. Population Ecology: Patterns of population growth
15. Communities and Ecosystems: Organisms and their environment
16. Conservation and Biodiversity: Human influences on the environment

17. Plant Structure and Nutrient Transport: How they function and why we need them
18. Growth and Reproduction in Plants: Problem-solving with flowers and wood
19. Plants and Environments: Regulating and defending while rooted in the ground
20. Unifying Concepts in Physiology
21. Circulation and Respiration: Transporting fuel, food and gases in, out and around the body
22. Nutrition and Digestion: At rest and at play: optimizing human physiological functioning
23. Neurons and Neurotransmitters: Actions, reactions, feelings and addictions: meet your brain
24. Hormones: Mood, emotions, growth and more: hormones as master regulators
25. Reproduction and Development: From two parents to one baby to one adult
26. Immunity and Health: How the body defends and maintains itself