Biology's overriding paradigm is one of interpreting life's spectacular diversity as having evolved from simple molecular beginnings. For decades, researchers havve been chipping away at the structura l secrets of biological molecules. They are showing how different kinds are put together, how they function, and what happens when they mutate. They are casting light on how life originated, what happened over the past 3.8 billion years, and what the future may hold for humans and other organisms, individually and collectively. This is profound stuff. Yet introductory textbooks-including preuious editions of this one-have not given students enough information to interpret for themselves the remarkable connection molecular change, evolution, and their own lives. We continue to rebuild this book in way that clarify the connection. When students "get" the big picture of life, they become confident enough to think critically about the past, present, and future on their own. This is one of biology's greatest gifts.
Unit 1 Principles of Cellular Life
Unit 2 Principles of Inheritance
Unit 3 Principles of Evolution
Unit 4 Evolution And Biodiversity
Unit 5 How Plants Work
Unit 6 How Animals Work
Unit 7 Principles of Ecology