Biology: Concepts and Applications

by Cecie Starr, Lisa Starr, Christine A. Evers

Should there be warning labels on fast foods? Should SUV drivers pay extra taxes? Should employers be allowed to require drug testing of prospective employees? This introductory biology text helps you master biology while encouraging you to think about critical issues. The issues-oriented approach enlivens the subject matter and helps you grasp concepts by making connections between biology and real-life concerns. Here's how it works: An "Impacts, Issues" case study opens each chapter, focusing on a biology-related societal issue. You also view a short film that expands on the issue. Then each chapter's "How Would You Vote?" question, inspired by the case study, asks you to consider biology-related news, explore the facts behind the issue, apply your knowledge of biology, and cast a vote on the Web. You can also see state and nationwide voting tallies. This book has been widely praised for clear and engaging writing, art with step-by-step callouts, and terrific support from student media that all work together to help you "get" biology.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biology, Science, Reference, Textbooks, School, Education

799 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

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."

Reviews

[Serena Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is required reading for the first two semesters of the general arts and sciences course I am currently taking as preparation for a BA Science degree at university level. It is an excellent text at beginners/medium level and explains the basic concepts of modern biology in 44 chapters. The National Geographic pictures and multiple graphs add a visual element to the text, and the application examples at the end of each chapter give a very useful link to reality and current concerns in biology. I also loved the chapter summaries and self-test exercises because they were a quick way to test my understanding and excellent preparation for the tests and finals.

Recommended for anyone interested in biology who wants more than the very basics and is looking for a text that makes scientific ideas come alive.

[Matthew Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool National Geographic pics, touching on several areas across the spectrum of fields in biology.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using for Bio class this semester (Fall 2008 & Fall 2007)

[Sanjay]

i am in tansion about zoology