Loose-leaf Version for What Is Life? A Guide to Biology

Does the vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella cause autism?

What is the most common reason that DNA analyses overturn incorrect criminal convictions?

What genetically modified foods do most people in the United States consume (usually without knowing it)?

In his popular classes and bestselling textbooks, Jay Phelan uses questions like these as a way of introducing both the practical impact and awe-inspiring wonder of biological research. Phelan knows how to captivate nonmajors with stories of how scientists investigate life. He is also a master at using study of biology as a context for developing the critical thinking skills and scientific literacy students can draw on through college and beyond.

Phelan’s dynamic approach to teaching biology is the driving force behind What Is Life?—the most successful new non-majors biology textbook of the millennium. The rigorously updated new edition brings forward the features that made the book a classroom favorite (chapters anchored to intriguing questions about life, spectacular original illustrations, innovative learning tools) with a more focused and flexible presentation and enhanced art.

And more than ever, this edition is a seamless text/media source, with its dedicated version of LaunchPad, Macmillan’s breakthrough online course space which integrates an interactive e-Book, all student media, a wide range of assessment and course management features.

Part 1. The Facts of Life

1. Scientific thinking








2. The chemistry of biology








3. Molecules of life








4. A tour of the cell








5. Energy





Part 2. Genetics, Evolution, and Behavior







6. DNA and the expression of genes








7. Genomics and biotechnology








8. Chromosomes and cell division








9. Genes and inheritance





Part 3. Evolution and the Diversity of Life







10. Evolution and natural selection








11. Evolution and behavior








12. The origin and diversification of life on earth








13. Animal diversification








14. Plant and Fungi diversity








15. Evolution and diversity among the microbes





Part 4. Ecology and the Environment







16. Population ecology








17. Ecosystems, communities, and species interactions








18. Conservation biology

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.