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Inquiry into Life
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Student Edition
Instructor Edition
Inquiry into Life, 10/e

Sylvia S. Mader

ISBN: 0072399651
Copyright year: 2003

Preface



Inquiry into Life is written for the introductory-level student who would like to develop a working knowledge of biology. While the text covers the whole field of general biology, it emphasizes the application of this knowledge to human concerns. Along with this approach, concepts and principles are stressed, rather than detailed, high-level scientific data and terminology. Each chapter presents the topic clearly, simply, and distinctly so that the student can achieve a thorough understanding of basic biology. As with previous editions, the central themes of Inquiry into Life are understanding the workings of the human body and how humans fit into the world of living things.

Pedagogical Features

Educational theory tells us that students are most interested in knowledge of immediate practical concern. This text is consistent with and remains true to this approach. The running text and the readings stress applications to everyday life. Such topics as eating disorders, allergies, stem cell research, cloning of animals, and xenotransplantation are integral to the chapter.

As before, the chapter outline numbers the major sections of the chapter. New to this edition, instead of listing statements, students are asked questions according to the chapter outline. The questions are designed to stimulate inquisitive thinking and develop better study skills. The general nature of these questions will encourage students to concentrate on concepts and how concepts relate to one another.

This numbering system in the chapter outline is continued throughout the chapter and is repeated in the summary so that instructors can assign just certain portions of the chapter, if they like. The text is paged so that major sections begin at the top of a page and illustrations are on the same or facing page as its reference.

Each chapter begins with a vignette, a short story that applies chapter material to a real-life situation. To increase student interest, I have moved the opening vignette to the chapter opening page where it is accompanied by a photograph.

The summary at the end of the chapter also assists students in learning the concepts discussed in the chapter. New to this edition, "Testing Yourself" has been expanded to include fifteen to twenty objective style questions. "Studying the Concepts," which are essay-type questions, and "Thinking Scientifically," which are critical thinking questions, have been moved to the Online Learning Center. The last page of each chapter instructs student how best to use the Online Learning Center for that chapter.

Boxed Readings

Inquiry into Life has four types of readings. "Health Focus" readings review procedures and technology that can contribute to our well-being. "Science Focus" readings describe how experimentation and observations have contributed to our knowledge about the living world. "Ecology Focus" readings show how the concepts of the chapter can be applied to ecological concerns. "Bioethical Focus" readings describe a modern situation that calls for a value judgment on the part of the reader. Students are challenged to develop a point of view by answering a series of questions that pertain to the issue.

The text contains many new Focus readings. Students will be delighted to consider "Do Animals Have Emotions?" They will be fascinated to know that the Human Genome Project will result in "New Cures on the Horizon," and intrigued by "The United States Population," a reading based on the 2000 census. New bioethical issues include the use of "Stem Cells" to treat our ills, and whether we should allow "Cloning of Humans." At adopters' requests, the bioethical focus readings now bear a title, which will facilitate their use for classroom discussions.

Revised Chapters

Inquiry into Life remains forever new and vital because it is revised from the first to the last page of every edition. These changes may be of special interest:

  • The introductory chapter, "The Study of Life" was rewritten to strengthen the presentation of the characteristics of life, the organization of the biosphere, and the scientific process. Feedback from many adopters allowed me to vastly improve the scientific process section so that it is useful to everyone.
  • In Part I, Cell Biology, Chapter 5 opens with a more lucid discussion of the cell cycle and its relevance to cancer. In Chapter 7, "Cellular Metabolism," the first illustration became an icon for the revised illustrations in the chapter.
  • In Part II, Plant Biology, all three chapters were rewritten. Icons are now strategically placed in Chapter 8, "Photosynthesis." Instructors will be especially pleased with the rewrite of Chapter 9, Plant Organization, which is more thorough than before. Chapter 10, now entitled "Plant Reproduction, Growth, and Development" was reorganized, and the plant hormone discussion was improved.
  • In Parts III and IV, the systems chapters were fine-tuned and the illustrations were improved to better present the concepts. Students should have no difficulty in following the text, understanding the concepts, and applying them to their everyday lives.
  • In Part V, Continuance of the Species, the genetics chapters received special attention. The new illustrations in this part will make it easier for students to study Punnett squares. New to this edition, all chromosome mutations now have an accompanying illustration.
  • In Part VI, Evolution and Diversity, the three-domain system of classification has replaced the five-kingdom system. The classification tables throughout these chapters have been revised to better assist students in learning the major groups of organisms. The evolution of humans was revised to reflect the latest findings.
  • In Part VII, Behavior and Ecology, a new chapter called "Ecosystems and Human Interferences" introduces the basics of ecology and shows how human activities have altered biogeochemical cycles to our own detriment. Another new chapter entitled "Conservation of Biodiversity" closes the text. We all need to be aware that other living things are valuable to the human species and to recognize that our activities threaten their very existence. In preserving other species, we are ultimately preserving our own species.
Online Learning Center

Students can utilize many technological resources in order to understand the content of this textbook. In addition to end of chapter questions and the printed study guide, the Online Learning Center at .www.mhhe.com/maderinquiry10 contains readings, quizzes, animations, and other activities to help students master the concepts.

Each chapter in this new edition ends with an e-Learning Connection page. This page organizes the relevant online study material by major sections, helping to create a stronger association between available study activities and text material. Because this design is mimicked on the Online Learning Center, the student can now easily find the appropriate learning experience.

New to this edition, the Careers pages from the previous edition, the "Studying the Concepts" questions and the "Thinking Scientifically" questions have been moved to the Online Learning Center. Also, Further Readings now are a part of the Online Learning Center.

New to This Edition

  • Online study aids are organized according to the major sections of the chapter on the e-Learning Connection page found at the end of each chapter. In this way, students can easily determine the available resources that help explain difficult concepts. The same design is utilized at the Online Learning Center, and this allows students to quickly find an activity of interest.
  • The chapter opening page has been revised. The chapter outline now contains questions listed according to the major sections, instead of statements. The questions are designed to start students thinking about and learning the concepts. The opening vignette now appears on this page and is accompanied by a photograph.
  • Although all chapters were revised, some changes are of particular interest. Illustrations in Part I and II have new icons to assist student learning. Also, the plant chapters have been completely revised and are now more thorough. The genetics chapters have been rewritten and are supported by new art. Two new chapters--"Ecosystems and Human Interferences" and "Conservation of Biodiversity"--strengthen the ecology section of the text.
  • The classification system of the text has been modernized. The three-domain system of classification based on molecular biology replaces the five-kingdom system of classification based on structure and adaptations to the environment.
  • The revised illustration program adds vitality to the art and enhances the appeal of the text. Many new micrographs provide realism. "Visual Focus" illustrations give a pictorial overview of key topics. Color coding is used for both molecular structures and for human tissues and organs.
  • Relevancy of the text is increased with the inclusion or expanded treatment of topics such as eating disorders, allergies, stem cell research, hepatitis infections, xenotransplantation, human cloning, the human genome project, and gene therapy to treat cancer.

To obtain an instructor login for this Online Learning Center, ask your local sales representative. If you're an instructor thinking about adopting this textbook, request a free copy for review.