Biology For Dummies (E-Book) von Rene Fester Kratz

Introduction 1

Part 1: Biology Basics 5

Chapter 1: Exploring the Living World 7

Chapter 2: How Life Is Studied 13

Chapter 3: The Chemistry of Life 29

Chapter 4: The Living Cell 49

Chapter 5: Acquiring Energy to Run the Motor 67

Part 2: Lets Talk about Sex, Baby: Cell Reproduction and Genetics 81

Chapter 6: Dividing to Conquer: Cell Division 83

Chapter 7: Making Mendel Proud: Understanding Genetics 103

Chapter 8: Reading the Book of Life: DNA and Proteins 119

Chapter 9: Engineering the Code: DNA Technology 135

Part 3: Its a Small, Interconnected World 155

Chapter 10: Exploring the Living World: Biodiversity and Classification 157

Chapter 11: Observing How Organisms Get Along 173

Chapter 12: Evolving Species in an Ever-Changing World 197

Part 4: Systems Galore! Animal Structure and Function 217

Chapter 13: Pondering the Principles of Physiology 219

Chapter 14: Moving and Shaking: Skeletal and Muscular Systems 227

Chapter 15: Going with the Flow: Respiratory and Circulatory Systems 239

Chapter 16: Checking Out the Plumbing: Animal Digestive and Excretory Systems 259

Chapter 17: Fighting Back: Human Defenses 277

Chapter 18: The Nervous and Endocrine Systems, Messengers Extraordinaire 295

Chapter 19: Reproduction 101: Making More Animals 313

Part 5: Its Not Easy Being Green: Plant Structure and Function 337

Chapter 20: Living the Life of a Plant 339

Chapter 21: Probing into Plant Physiology 351

Part 6: The Part of Tens 361

Chapter 22: Ten Great Biology Discoveries 363

Chapter 23: Ten Ways Biology Affects Your Life 369

Index 375

Have you ever wondered how the food you eat becomes the energy your body needs to keep going? The theory of evolution says that humans and chimps descended from a common ancestor, but does it tell us how and why? We humans are insatiably curious creatures who can't help wondering how things workstarting with our own bodies. Wouldn't it be great to have a single source of quick answers to all our questions about how living things work? Now there is.

From molecules to animals, cells to ecosystems,Biology For Dummies answers all your questions about how living things work. Written in plain English and packed with dozens of enlightening illustrations, this reference guide covers the most recent developments and discoveries in evolutionary, reproductive, and ecological biology. It's also complemented with lots of practical, up-to-date examples to bring the information to life.

• Discover how living things work
• Think like a biologist and use scientific methods
• Understand lifecycle processes

Whether you're enrolled in a biology class or just want to know more about this fascinating and ever-evolving field of study,Biology For Dummies will help you unlock the mysteries of how life works.

René Fester Kratz, PhD, teaches biology at Everett Community College. Dr. Kratz holds a PhD in Botany from the University of Washington. She works with other scientists and K–12 teachers to develop science curricula that align with national learning standards and the latest research on human learning.