Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology

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

• ISBN13: 9780131005068
• ISBN10: 0131005065
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings

Summary

The number of biology-related issues in our society is growing constantly. This book helps readers digest a wealth of scientific information with relevant references and examples.Includes new Links to Life featureends each chapter on a relevant note with short, informally written segments on familiar topics, such as "Health Food." Contains Earth Watch, Health Watch, and Scientific Inquiry Essays that introduce readers to the exploration of key environmental and health-related issues. Features a striking illustration program with consistent, strategic use of color, revised multi-part figures, and updated labels and captions.A fascinating reference for anyone interested in learning more about biological issues in our world.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Life on Earth

The Life of a Cell

Atoms, Molecules, and Life

Biological Molecules

Cell Membrane Structure and Function

Cell Structure and Function

Energy Flow in the Life of a Cell

Capturing Solar Energy: Photosynthesis

Harvesting Energy: Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration

Inheritance

DNA: The Molecule of Heredity

Gene Expression and Regulation

The Continuity of Life: Cellular Reproduction

Patterns of Inheritance

Biotechnology

Evolution and Diversity of Life

Principles of Evolution

How Organisms Evolve

The Origin of Species

The History of Life

Systematics: Seeking Order Amidst Diversity

The Diversity of Viruses, Prokaryotes, and Protists

The Diversity of Fungi

The Diversity of Plants

Animal Diversity I: Invertebrates

Animal Diversity II: Vertebrates

Plant Anatomy and Physiology

Plant Anatomy and Nutrient Transport

Plant Reproduction and Development

Plant Responses to the Environment

Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Homeostasis and the Organization of the Animal Body

Circulation

Respiration

Nutrition and Digestion

The Urinary System

Defenses Against Disease

Chemical Control of the Animal Body: The Endocrine System

The Nervous System and the Senses

Action and Support: The Muscles and Skeleton

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Behavior and Ecology

Animal Behavior

Population Growth and Regulation

Community Interactions

How do Ecosystems Work?

Earth's Diverse Ecosystems

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Animal behavior, cloning, seed germination, stem cell research, biodiversity, population growth, artificial kidneys, global warming, pollination strategies, sequencing genomes--the staggering number of important and fascinating biological topics continues to grow. In fact, one can make a compelling argument that "biology" is no longer a single discipline. In the midst of this wealth of information, how does an instructor of an introductory course choose what to cover, and at what level to cover it? What basic concepts and principles form the foundation of biology? What topics are the most compelling to students? Which types of biological knowledge will best prepare them to make informed choices relating to their own lives and to the greater world that their personal choices impact? In talking to educators faced with these tough decisions, a single overriding consensus emerged: "We need to help our students become scientifically literate." Scientific literacy endows a student with the mental tools to cope with expanding knowledge. It requires a foundation of basic factual knowledge--a mental framework into which new information can be integrated. But it also encompasses the ability to grasp and evaluate information from the news and popular press. A scientifically literate individual does not think in isolated "soundbites," but recognizes the interrelatedness of concepts and the need to bring information from many areas to bear on an issue. A scientifically literate individual also needs to be able to use today's amazing resources, most significantly the Internet, to find accurate information; he or she must be able to distinguish true scientific information from pseudoscience. Biology: Life on EarthEffectively Manages a Wealth of Scientific Information Our seventh edition ofBiology: Life on Earth--which is more than a textbook, but rather a complete package of teaching aids for the instructor and learning aids for students--has been revised with three specific goals: To help instructors manage the presentation of biological information with the goal of producing scientifically literate students To help each student to acquire information according to his or her own learning style To help students relate this information to their own lives so as to understand its importance and relevance Biology: Life on Earth ... Is Organized Clearly and Uniformly Throughout each chapter, students will find aids that help them navigate through the information. "At a Glance" at the start of each chapter brings together the chapter's major subheadings and now includes the titles of Essays as well. Instructors can easily assign--and students can easily locate--key topics within the chapter. Major sections are introduced as questions to which the student will find answers in the section, while minor subheadings are presented as summary statements that reflect content. A crucial outgrowth of this organizational scheme is that it imparts an understanding of biology as a hierarchy of interrelated concepts, rather than a set of isolated, independent subjects. The "Summary of Key Concepts" pulls together important concepts using the major subheadings as an organizing feature. Both "At a Glance" and the "Summary of Key Concepts" use the heading-based numbering system featured within the chapters themselves, allowing instructors and students to move efficiently among the different components within a chapter. Information is integrated and easily managed within the total package. Media Activity tabs within each chapter direct the student to OneKey, which contains relevant activities, animations, and practice tests; the Media Activity numbers in the book correspond with OneKey for easy navigation. Detailed descriptions of each Media Activity are found at the end of each chapter