With a proven and effective tradition of engaging readers with real-world applications, high-interest case studies, and inquiry-based pedagogy, Biology: Life on Earth fosters discovery and scientific understanding that students can use throughout their lives. Engaging Case Studies throughout each chapter and thoughtful pedagogy help students develop critical thinking and scientific literacy skills.

The 12th Edition offers the most comprehensive coverage at the most affordable price for the non-majors biology student. This loose-leaf edition maintains its conversational, question-and-answer presentation style that has made it a best-seller. The new edition expands its focus on the process of science with new Doing Science boxes throughout the text that walk students through the scientific process, and interactive Doing Science coaching activities in Mastering Biology. The text also provides Think Deeper questions that give instructors guidance for starting classroom discussions that promote critical thinking.

For non-majors/mixed biology courses.

Pearson eText is a simple-to-use, mobile-optimized, personalized reading experience. It lets students highlight, take notes, and review key vocabulary all in one place, even when offline. Seamlessly integrated videos and other rich media engage students and give them access to the help they need, when they need it. Educators can easily schedule readings and share their own notes with students so they see the connection between their eText and what they learn in class – motivating them to keep reading, and keep learning. And, reading analytics offer insight into how students use the eText, helping educators tailor their instruction.

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TERRY AND GERRY AUDESIRK grew up in New Jersey, where they met as undergraduates, Gerry at Rutgers University and Terry at Bucknell University. After marrying in 1970, they moved to California, where Terry earned her doctorate in marine ecology at the University of Southern California and Gerry earned his doctorate in neurobiology at the California Institute of Technology. As postdoctoral students at the University of Washington’s marine laboratories, they worked together on the neural bases of behavior, using a marine mollusk as a model system.

They are now emeritus professors of biology at the University of Colorado Denver, where they taught introductory biology and neurobiology from 1982 through 2006. In their research, funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health, they investigated the mechanisms by which neurons are harmed by low levels of environmental pollutants and protected by estrogen.

Terry and Gerry are long-time members of many conservation organizations and share a deep appreciation of nature and of the outdoors. They enjoy hiking in the Rockies, walking and horseback riding near their home outside Steamboat Springs, and singing in the community chorus. Keeping up with the amazing and endless stream of new discoveries in biology provides them with a continuing source of fascination and stimulation. They are delighted that their daughter Heather has become a teacher and is inspiring a new generation of students with her love of chemistry.

BRUCE E. BYERS is a Midwesterner transplanted to the hills of western Massachusetts, where he is a professor in the biology department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has been a member of the faculty at UMass (where he also completed his doctoral degree) since 1993. Bruce teaches courses in evolution, ornithology, and animal behavior, and does research on the function and evolution of bird vocalizations.

Biology Life on Earth, 12th Edition includes Chapters 1-31

Biology Life on Earth with Physiology, 12th Edition includes Chapters 1-46

1 An Introduction to Life on Earth

UNIT 1

The Life of the Cell

2 Atoms, Molecules, and Life

3 Biological Molecules

4 Cell Structure and Function

5 Cell Membrane Structure and Function

6 Energy Flow in the Life of a Cell

7 Capturing Solar Energy: Photosynthesis

8 Harvesting Energy: Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration

UNIT 2

Inheritance

9 Cellular Reproduction

10 Meiosis: The Basis of Sexual Reproduction

11 Patterns of Inheritance

12 DNA: The Molecule of Heredity

13 Gene Expression and Regulation

14 Biotechnology

UNIT 3

Evolution and Diversity of Life

15 Principles of Evolution

16 How Populations Evolve

17 The Origin of Species

18 The History of Life

19 Systematics: Seeking Order Amid Diversity

20 The Diversity of Prokaryotes and Viruses

21 The Diversity of Protists

22 The Diversity of Plants

23 The Diversity of Fungi

24 Animal Diversity I: Invertebrates

25 Animal Diversity II: Vertebrates

UNIT 4

Behavior and Ecology

26 Animal Behavior

27 Population Growth and Regulation

28 Community Interactions

29 Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling in Ecosystems

30 Earth’s Diverse Ecosystems

31 Conserving Earth’s Biodiversity

UNIT 5

Animal Anatomy and Physiology

32 Homeostasis and the Organization of the Animal Body

33 Circulation

34 Respiration

35 Nutrition and Digestion

36 The Urinary System

37 Defenses Against Disease

38 Chemical Control of the Animal Body: The Endocrine System

39 The Nervous System

40 The Senses

41 Action and Support: The Muscles and Skeleton

42 Animal Reproduction

43 Animal Development

UNIT 6

Plant Anatomy and Physiology

44 Plant Anatomy and Nutrient Transport

45 Plant Reproduction and Development

46 Plant Responses to the Environment