Known for its thorough coverage of diversity, ecology, and environmental issues, this comprehensive book engages non-majors students with integrated, relevant case studies, and challenges them 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 MasteringBiology^® program that helps students make effective use of their 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.

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Life on Earth  

I. LIFE OF THE 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. DNA: The Molecule of Heredity  

12. Gene Expression and Regulation  

13. Biotechnology
  

III. EVOLUTION AND DIVERSITY OF LIFE

14. Principles of Evolution  

15. How Organisms 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