Biological Science Exploring the Science of Life

Biological Science: Exploring the Science of Life responds to the key needs of lecturers and their students by placing a clear central narrative, carefully-structured active learning, and confidence with quantitative concepts and scientific enquiry central to its approach. Its straightforward narrative, reinforced by key concept overview videos for every chapter, communicate key ideas clearly: the right information is provided at the right time, and at the right depth.

Its pause and think features, self-check quizzes, and graded end of chapter questions, augmented by flashcards of key terms, directly support active learning. The combination of narrative text and learning features promote a rich, active learning experience: read, watch, and do. Its combination of Quantitative Toolkits, Scientific Process panels, and the Life and its Exploration chapters provide more insight and support than any other general biology text; they prepare students to engage with this quantitative and experimental discipline with confidence, and set them on a path for success throughout their future studies.

With coverage that spans the full scale of biological science - from molecule to ecosystem - and with an approach that fully supports flexible, self-paced learning, Biological Science: Exploring the Science of Life will set you on a path towards a deeper understanding of the key concepts in biology, and a greater appreciation of biology as a dynamic experimental science.

Jon Scott, Emeritus Professor of Bioscience Education, University of Leicester,Gus Cameron, Reader in Biomedical Science Education, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol,Anne Goodenough, Professor in Applied Ecology, University of Gloucestershire,Dawn Hawkins, Reader, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University,Jenny Koenig, Assistant Professor in Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham,Martin Luck, Emeritus Professor of Physiological Education, University of Nottingham,Despo Papachristodoulou, Reader of Medical Education, King's College London,Alison Snape, Reader in Bioscience Education, King's College London,Kay Yeoman, Professor of Science Communication, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia,Mark Goodwin, Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester

Life and its Exploration: Foundational Principles
Topic 1: Scientific enquiry
Topic 2: The emergence of life on Earth
Topic 3: Defining Life
Topic 4: Evolutionary processes
Topic 5: The diversity, organisation, and classification of life
Quantitative Toolkits
Quantitative Toolkit 1: Understanding data
Quantitative Toolkit 2: Size and scale
Quantitative Toolkit 3: Describing data
Quantitative Toolkit 4: Ratio and proportion
Quantitative Toolkit 5: Understanding samples
Quantitative Toolkit 6: Designing experiments
Quantitative Toolkit 7: Assessing patterns
Quantitative Toolkit 8: Formulae and equations
Quantitative Toolkit 9: Rates of change
Module 1 LIFE AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL
1. Building blocks: molecules and macromolecules
2. Energy: powering biochemical processes
3. Information: genes and genomes
4. Mendelian genetics
5. Reading the genome: gene expression and protein synthesis
6. Proteins and proteomes
7. Metabolism: energy capture and release from food
8. Molecular tools and techniques
Module 2 LIFE AT THE CELLULAR LEVEL
9. Characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
10. Cell division in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
11. Microbial diversity
12. The growth, measurement, and visualisation of cells
13. Microbes in life: harnessing their power
14. Microbes as agents of infectious disease
15. Viruses
Module 3 THE HUMAN ORGANISM: TISSUES, ORGANISMS, AND SYSTEMS
16. Physiology overview
17. Communication and control 1: introducing the nervous and endocrine systems
18. Communication and control 2: sensory systems
19. Communication and control 3: controlling organ systems
20. Muscle and movement
21. Cardiovascular system
22. Respiratory system
23. Exercise physiology
24. Renal system
25. Digestive system
26. Reproductive system
27. Immune system
Module 4 ORGANISMS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT
28. The structure of living organisms
29. Body plans
30. Interaction with the external environment
31. Movement, locomotion, and migration
32. Defence against predation and invasion
33. Reproduction and development
Module 5 ORGANISMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
34. Fundamental concepts: ecology, evolution, species, and speciation
35. Genes: evolutionary change in alleles, genotypes, and phenotypes
36. Populations: quantifying demographics and modelling change
37. Communities: species interactions and biodiversity metrics
38. Ecosystems: abiotic interactions and environmental processes
39. Challenges: key threats to ecosystems
40. Solutions: managing, conserving, and restoring ecosystems