Each chapter of this innovative text is structured around a compelling and integrated story that engages students in learning biology and applying concepts to their everyday lives.
For one-semester courses in Introductory Biology, for non-major biology students.
Biology: Science for Life strives to achieve scientific literacy by having the story drive the science. Each chapter is structured around an interesting and timely story, which then drives the discussion of the science. In telling a story, one that draws upon students' life experiences, the text motivates students to become active participants in the learning process and to read the chapter as a way of understanding the complete story. The book also helps to demystify the process of science by illustrating how the scientific method has been applied to many of the issues raised in the book. By helping students see the logic of the scientific method, the authors show students how scientific theories can be applied to diverse social and scientific questions in today's world.
¡°Because science, told as a story, can intrigue and inform the non-scientific minds among us, it has the potential to bridge the two cultures into which civilization is split—the sciences and the humanities. For educators, stories are an exciting way to draw young minds into the scientific culture.¡± E.O. Wilson
1. Can Science Cure the Common Cold? Introduction to the Scientific Method.
Unit One: Chemistry and Cells.
2. Are We Alone in the Universe? Water, Biochemistry, and Cells.
3. The Only Diet You Will Ever Need. Nutrients, Enzymes and Metabolism, and Transport Across Membranes.
4. Is the Earth Warming? The Greenhouse Effect, Cellular Respiration, and Photosynthesis.
Unit Two Genetics.
5. Cancer. DNA Synthesis, Mitosis, and Meiosis.
6. Are You Only as Smart as Your Genes? Mendelian and Quantitative Genetics.
7. DNA Detective. Extensions of Mendelism, Sex Linkage, Pedigree Analysis, and DNA Fingerprinting.
8. Genetic Engineering. Transcription, Translation, and Genetically Modified Organisms.
Unit Three: Evolution.
9. Where Did We Come From? The Evidence for Evolution.
10. An Evolving Enemy. Natural Selection.
11. Who Am I? Species and Races.
12. Prospecting for Biological Gold. Biodiversity and Classification.
Unit Four: Ecology.
13. Is the Human Population Too Large? Population Ecology.
14. Is Earth Experiencing a Biodiversity Crisis? Community Ecology, Ecosystem Ecology, and Conservation Biology.
15. Where Do You Live? Climate and Biomes.
Unit Five: Animal Structure and Function.
16. Organ Donation. Tissues, Organs, and Organ Systems.
17. Clearing the Air. Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Excretory Systems.
18. Will Mad Cow Disease Become an Epidemic? Immune System, Bacteria, Viruses, and Other Pathogens.
19. Sex Differences and Athleticism. Endocrine, Skeletal, and Muscular Systems.
20. Is There Something in the Water? Reproductive and Developmental Biology.
21. Attention Deficit Disorder. Brain Structure and Function.
Unit Six: Plant Biology.
22. Feeding the World. Plant Structure and Growth.
23. Growing a Green Thumb. Plant Physiology.