Biology

Sandra Alters is formerly a tenured professor of biology and education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a professor of biology at Salem State College (MA). After teaching for over 25 years and teaching non-majors introductory biology for 10 years, Sandy left academia to write full time. She has over 20 years experience in science textbook writing in particular and science writing in general. She and her husband Brian are the only Ph.D. science educators currently authoring a non-majors college biology textbook. This book and its related ancillaries reflect their strong focus on science education. Brian Alters, Sir William Dawson Scholar, holds appointments internationally at McGill University, Montreal, where he recently won the university's highest teaching award, and at Harvard University, Cambridge. Brian is founder and director of the Evolution Education Research Center, a joint involvement between professors of McGill and Harvard universities. He writes primarily about evolution education and teaching.

PART ONE: AN INTRODUCTION. Chapter 1. Biology: Understanding Life. Chapter 2. How Scientists Do Their Work. PART TWO: CELLS AND HOW THEY TRANSFORM ENERGY. Chapter 3. The Chemistry of Life. Chapter 4. Biological Molecules. Chapter 5. Cell Structure and Function. Chapter 6. The Flow of Energy Within Organisms. Chapter 7. Storing Energy from the Sun: Photosynthesis. Chapter 8. Releasing Energy from Carbohydrates: Cellular Respiration. PART THREE: GENETICS. Chapter 9. DNA Structure and Replication. Chapter 10. Gene Expression and Regulation. Chapter 11. Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering. Chapter 12. Cell Reproduction. Chapter 13. Patterns of Inheritance. Chapter 14. Human Genetics. PART FOUR: PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION. Chapter 15. The History and Development of Evolutionary Theory. Chapter 16. Beyond Darwin: A Genetic Basis of Evolution. Chapter 17. Speciation & Extinction: How Species Arise & Die Out. Chapter 18. The Evolution of Life on Earth. PART FIVE: BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY & ITS EVOLUTION. Chapter 19. Viruses and Bacteria. Chapter 20. Protists, Fungi, & Plants. Chapter 21. Invertebrates. Chapter 22. Chordates & Vertebrates. PART SIX: PLANT ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY. Chapter 23. Patterns of Reproduction in Plants. Chapter 24. Patterns of Structure and Function in Plants. Chapter 25. Control Systems in Plants. PART SEVEN: ANIMAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY. Chapter 26. Tissues. Chapter 27. Digestion. Chapter 28. Respiration. Chapter 29. Circulation. Chapter 30. Defense Against Disease. Chapter 31. Excretion. Chapter 32. Nervous System Communication. Chapter 33. The Senses. Chapter 34. Protection, Support, & Movement. Chapter 35. Hormones. Chapter 36. Sex, Reproduction, & Development. PART EIGHT: INTERACTIONS AMONG ORGANISMS AND WITH THE ENVIRONMENT. Chapter 37. Behavior. Chapter 38. Population Ecology. Chapter 39. Interactions Within Communities. Chapter 40. Ecosystems. Chapter 41. Biomes and Life Zones of the World. Chapter 42. The Biosphere: Today and Tomorrow. Appendix A: A Scientific Journal Article Examined. Appendix B: Periodic Table of the Elements. Appendix C: Units of Measurement. Appendix D: Answers. Glossary. Credits. Index.