For the 11th edition of BIOLOGY: UNITY AND DIVERSITY OF LIFE, Cecie Starr and Ralph Taggart made it their goal to "solve" some of the toughest Introductory Biology course challenges. We introduce a new issues-oriented approach with engages students in current, motivating biological topics; a built-in cross-referencing system for key topics; and, most importantly, time-saving media resources for instructors. Show students how biology matters & Opening each chapter with engaging essays on hot issues and related online voting, the text highlights the connections between biology and real-life. Online exercises promote critical thinking about issues students will face as consumers, parents and citizens. Link concepts from chapter to chapter - Students often have a difficult time with this, so the authors created a "linking" tool. A list at the start of each chapter reminds students of related topics that were explained earlier. Within chapters, a key icon identifies cross-references to relevant sections in earlier chapters. As students work through the text, they see how topics build upon one another. Monitoring students' progress with ease - BiologyNow™ offers diagnostic quizzes with automatically graded results that flow directly into your instructor gradebook (iLrn, WebCT or BlackBoard). And, to assess students' progress instantly with in-class quizzes and polls, you can use JoinIn™ on TurningPoint« content and software. Easier lecture prep - The new PowerLecture tool integrates all chapter assets - art, photos, animations, videos, links to InfoTrac articles, web links and everything else you need into each chapter's lecture slides. This "buffet" of media resources-arranged by chapter section is at your fingertips. Just cut and paste what you want into your lecture file.

The 11th edition of this undergraduate text seeks to make students aware of the connection between molecular change, evolution, and students' own lives. To achieve this goal, the text features essays on current controversial issues, links to concepts within and between chapters, two-page concept spreads, and problem solving examples and experiments that encourage students to think critically. Other changes include reorganized and rewritten material on areas such as energy flow and stem cell research. Author information is not given.
Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The 11th edition of this undergraduate text seeks to make students aware of the connection between molecular change, evolution, and students' own lives. To achieve this goal, the text features essays on current controversial issues, links to concepts within and between chapters, two-page concept spreads, and problem solving examples and experiments that encourage students to think critically. Other changes include reorganized and rewritten material on areas such as energy flow and stem cell research. Author information is not given. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

For the past two decades, Cecie Starr has been known as one of the best-selling biology textbook authors. Her texts, appreciated for their clarity in both the written word and the visual representation of biological concepts, include multiple editions of BIOLOGY: THE UNITY AND DIVERSITY OF LIFE, BIOLOGY: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS, and BIOLOGY TODAY AND TOMORROW. Her original dream was to become an architect. Instead of building houses, she now builds, with care and attention to detail, incredible texts based on this philosophy: "I invite students into a chapter through an intriguing story. Once inside, they get the great windows that biologists construct on the world of life. Biology is not just another house. It is a conceptual mansion. I hope to do it justice."Ralph Taggert Former Chair of Biological Sciences at Michigan State University, Ralph Taggert is now the chair of Geological Sciences. Known for his outstanding research in Paleobotany, he taught the general biology course for over 20 years.

INTRODUCTION. 1. Invitation to Biology. Unit I: PRINCIPLES OF CELLULAR LIFE. 2. Life's Chemical Basis. 3. Molecules of Life. 4. Cell Structure and Function. 5. A Closer Look at Cell Membranes. 6. Ground Rules of Metabolism. 7. Where It Starts—Photosynthesis. 8. How Cells Release Chemical Energy. Unit II: PRINCIPLES OF INHERITANCE. 9. How Cells Reproduce. 10. Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction. 11. Observing Patterns in Inherited Traits. 12. Chromosomes and Human Inheritance. 13. DNA Structure and Function. 14. From DNA to Protein. 15. Controls Over Genes. 16. Studying and Manipulating Genomes. Unit III: PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION. 17. Evidence of Evolution. 18. Microevolutionary Processes. 19. Evolutionary Patterns, Rates, and Trends. 20. Life's Origin and Early Evolution. Unit IV: EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY. 21. Prokaryotes and Viruses. 22. "Protists"—The Simplest Eukaryotes. 23. Plant Evolution. 24. Fungi. 25. Animal Evolution—The Invertebrates. 26. Animal Evolution—The Vertebrates. 27. Biodiversity in Perspective. PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 28. Plants and Animals—Common Challenges. Unit V: HOW PLANTS WORK. 29. Plant Tissues. 30. Plant Nutrition and Transport. 31. Plant Reproduction. Unit VI: ANIMAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION. 33 Animal Tissues and Organ Systems. 34. Neural Control. 35. Sensory Perception. 36. Endocrine Control. 37. Structural Support and Movement. 38. Circulation. 39. Immunity. 40. Respiration. 41. Digestion and Human Nutrition. 42. The Internal Environment. 43. Principles of Animal Reproduction and Development. 44. Human Reproduction and Development. Unit VII: PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY. 45. Population Ecology. 46. Community Structure and Biodiversity. 47. Ecosystems. 48. The Biosphere. 49. Behavioral Ecology.