Discover Biology

Thoroughly revised and updated, Discover Biology, Second Edition, presents the essential concepts of modern biology in a text designed specifically for nonmajors. The authors emphasize a level of detail appropriate for nonmajors, freeing instructors to focus on the scientific issues-HIV, global climate change, DNA fingerprinting, genetic engineering, cancer-that students read about in the paper, vote on in elections, and face in their daily lives. With two new chapters, refined pedagogy and art programs, and a powerful ancillary package, Discover Biology, Second Edition, is the best choice for the nonmajors introductory course.

Kenneth F. Schaffner compares the practice of biological and medical research and shows how traditional topics in philosophy of science—such as the nature of theories and of explanation—can illuminate the life sciences. While Schaffner pays some attention to the conceptual questions of evolutionary biology, his chief focus is on the examples that immunology, human genetics, neuroscience, and internal medicine provide for examinations of the way scientists develop, examine, test, and apply theories. Although traditional philosophy of science has regarded scientific discovery—the questions of creativity in science—as a subject for psychological rather than philosophical study, Schaffner argues that recent work in cognitive science and artificial intelligence enables researchers to rationally analyze the nature of discovery. As a philosopher of science who holds an M.D., he has examined biomedical work from the inside and uses detailed examples from the entire range of the life sciences to support the semantic approach to scientific theories, addressing whether there are "laws" in the life sciences as there are in the physical sciences. Schaffner's novel use of philosophical tools to deal with scientific research in all of its complexity provides a distinctive angle on basic questions of scientific evaluation and explanation.

Ideal for nonmajors, Discover Biology is renowned for its inviting presentation and accessible coverage of biology fundamentals. This introduction develops scientific literacy with clear, lively prose, compelling real-world applications, and unique features that help students understand the relevance of biology in their lives. The Third Edition has been carefully revised for clarity and ease of use, with helpful new pedagogy, an expansion of the text's vibrant art program, and a new chapter organization. The Third Edition also features unique, fully integrated multimedia resources for students and instructors. This flexible text is available in formats to suit every classroom. The Full Edition includes seven units, while the Core Topics Edition omits the chapters on animal and plant physiology. Custom print versions of the Core Topics Edition are available for instructors who wish to teach selected chapters from the animal and plant physiology units. In addition, a customizable eBook allows students to order either the full text or individual chapters.

Learn about the most important discoveries and theories of this science in The Biology Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Biology in this overview guide to the subject, great for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Biology Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Biology, with: - More than 95 ideas and events key to the development of biology and the life sciences - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Biology Book is a captivating introduction to understanding the living world and explaining how its organisms work and interact – whether microbes, mushrooms, or mammals. Here you’ll discover key areas of the life sciences, including ecology, zoology, and biotechnology, through exciting text and bold graphics. Your Biology Questions, Simply Explained This book will outline big biological ideas, like the mysteries of DNA and genetic inheritance; and how we learned to develop vaccines that control diseases. If you thought it was difficult to learn about the living world, The Biology Book presents key information in an easy to follow layout. Here you’ll learn about cloning, neuroscience, human evolution, and gene editing, and be introduced to the scientists who shaped these subjects, such as Carl Linnaeus, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, Charles Darwin, and Gregor Mendel. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Biology Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

Written by a noted historian of science, this in-depth account traces how Watson and Crick achieved one of science's most dramatic feats: their 1953 discovery of the molecular structure of DNA.