Biology For Dummies

About this book

The ultimate guide to understanding biology

Have you ever wondered how the food you eat becomes the energy your body needs to keep going? The theory of evolution says that humans and chimps descended from a common ancestor, but does it tell us how and why? We humans are insatiably curious creatures who can't help wondering how things work – starting with our own bodies. Wouldn't it be great to have a single source of quick answers to all our questions about how living things work? Now there is.

From molecules to animals, cells to ecosystems, Biology For Dummies answers all your questions about how living things work. Written in plain English and packed with dozens of enlightening illustrations, Biology For Dummies guide covers the most recent developments and discoveries in evolutionary, reproductive, and ecological biology. It's also complemented with lots of practical, up-to-date examples to bring the information to life.
- Discover how living things work
- Think like a biologist and use scientific methods
- Understand lifecycle processes

Whether you're enrolled in a biology class or just want to know more about this fascinating and ever-evolving field of study, Biology For Dummies will help you unlock the mysteries of how life works.

Contents

Introduction

Part I: Biology Basics
Chapter 1: Exploring the Living World
Chapter 2: How Life Is Studied
Chapter 3: The Chemistry of Life
Chapter 4: The Living Cell
Chapter 5: Acquiring Energy to Run the Motor

Part II: Cell Reproduction and Genetics: Let's Talk about Sex, Baby
Chapter 6: Dividing to Conquer: Cell Division
Chapter 7: Making Mendel Proud: Understanding Genetics
Chapter 8: Reading the Book of Life: DNA and Proteins
Chapter 9: Engineering the Code: DNA Technology

Part III: It's a Small, Interconnected World
Chapter 10: Biodiversity and Classifi cation
Chapter 11: Observing How Organisms Get Along
Chapter 12: Evolving Species in an Ever-Changing World

Part IV: Systems Galore! Animal Structure and Function
Chapter 13: Pondering the Principles of Physiology
Chapter 14: Moving and Shaking: Skeletal and Muscular Systems
Chapter 15: Going with the Flow: Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
Chapter 16: Checking Out the Plumbing: Animal Digestive and Excretory Systems
Chapter 17: Fighting Back: Human Defenses
Chapter 18: The Nervous and Endocrine Systems, Messengers Extraordinaire
Chapter 19: Reproduction 101: Making More Animals

Part V: It's Not Easy Being Green: Plant Structure and Function
Chapter 20: Living the Life of a Plant
Chapter 21: Probing into Plant Physiology

Part VI: The Part of Tens
Chapter 22: Ten Great Biology Discoveries
Chapter 23: Ten Ways Biology Affects Your Life

Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

René Fester Kratz, PhD, is a Biology Instructor at Everett Community College and a member of the North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership.