Inspired by recommendations from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) vision and Change Report. Principles of Biology is reflective of the shift taking place in the majors biology course from large and detail rich to short and conceptual, with a focus on new, cutting-edge science. A succinct and inviting text focused on central concepts, Principles of Biology helps students connect fundamental principles while challenging them to develop and hone critical thinking skills. Five new chapters introduce cutting-edge topics that will benefit students who continue their study of biology in future courses.
1 An Introduction to Biology
Unit 1 Chemistry
2 The Chemical Basis of Life I: Atoms, Molecules, and Water
3 The Chemical Basis of Life II: Organic Molecules
Unit 2 Cell
4 The Evolutionary Origin of Cells and their General Features
5 Membranes: The Interface between Cells and Their Environment
6 How Cells Utilize Energy
7 How Cells Capture Energy via Photosynthesis
8 How Cells Communicate with Each Other and with the Environment
Unit 3 Genetics
9 The Information of Life: Structures of DNA, RNA, and Chromosomes, and DNA Replication
10 The Expression of Genetic Information via Genes I: Transcription and Translation
11 The Expression of Genetic Information via Genes II: Non-coding RNAs
12 The Control of Genetic information via Gene Regulation
13 Altering the Genetic Material: Mutation, DNA Repair, and Cancer
14 How Eukaryotic Cells Sort and Transmit their Chromosomes: Mitosis and Meiosis
15 Transmission of Genetic Information from Parents to Offspring I: Patterns that Follow Mendel's Laws
16 Transmission of Genetic Information from Parents to Offspring II: Epigenetics, Linkage, and Extranuclear Inheritance
17 The Simpler Genetic Systems of Viruses and Bacteria
18 Genetic Technologies: How Biologists Study Genes and Genomes
Unit 4 Evolution
19 Evolution of Life I: How Populations Change from Generation to Generation
20 Origin of Species and Macroevolution
21 Evolution of Life II: The Emergence of New Species
22 The History of Life on Earth and Human Evolution
Unit 5 Diversity
23 Diversity of Microbial Life: Bacteria, Archaea, Protists,and Fungi
24 Microbiomes: Microbial Systems On and Around Us
25 Plant Evolution: How Plant Diversification Changed Planet Earth
26 Invertebrates: The Vast Array of Animal Life without a Backbone
27 Vertebrates: Fishes, Reptiles and Mammals
28 Flowering Plants: Plant Behavior
Unit 6 Plants
28 An Introduction to Flowering Plant Form and Function
29 How Flowering Plants Sense and Interact with their Environments
30 How Flowering Plants Obtain and Transport Nutrients
31 How Flowering Plants Reproduce and Develop
Unit 7 Animals
32 General Features of Animal Bodies, and Homeostasis as a Defining Principle of Animal Biology
33 Neuroscience I: The Structure, Function, and Evolution of Nervous Systems
34 Neuroscience II: How Sensory Systems Allow Animals to Interact with the Environment
35 How Muscles and Skeletons are Adaptations for Movement, Support, and Protection
36 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems: Transporting Solutes and Exchanging Gases
37 Digestive Systems and Excretory Systems: Maintenance of Nutrient, Energy, Ion and Water Balance
38 How Endocrine Systems Influence the Activities of all Other Organ Systems
39 The Production of Offspring: Reproduction and Development
40 Immune Systems: How Animals Defend Against Pathogens and Other Dangers
41 Integrated Responses of Animal Organ Systems to a Challenge to Homeostasis
Unit 8 Ecology
42 Behavioral Ecology: the Struggle to Find Food, Mates and to Pass on Genes
43 Population Growth and Species Interactions
44 Communities and Ecosystems: Ecological Organization at Larger Scales
45 Biomes: Worldwide Patterns across Global Scales
46 Biodiversity and Conservation
47 The Age of Humans: Impacts on Natural Systems
Rob Brooker (Ph.D., Yale University) received his B.A. in biology at Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, in 1978. At Harvard, he studied lactose permease, the product of the lacY gene of the lac operon. He continues working on transporters at the University of Minnesota, where he is a Professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development and has an active research laboratory. At the University of Minnesota, Dr. Brooker teaches undergraduate courses in biology, genetics, and cell biology. In addition to many other publications, he has written two undergraduate genetics texts published by McGraw-Hill: Genetics: Analysis & Principles, and Concepts of Genetics.
Eric P. Widmaier IS Professor of Biology at Boston University.
Linda E. Graham is Professor of Botany and Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Peter D. Stiling is Professor of Biology at the University of South Florida, Tampa.