When I was teaching general biology, it became apparent
to me that students were very interested in how
their bodies worked, how to keep them healthy, and how
they can occasionally malfunction. Students also found environmental
concepts intriguing. I decided it would be possible
to write a text and develop a course for nonmajors that
built on these interests while teaching biological concepts
and how scientists think and carry out research.
The application of biological principles to practical human
concerns is now widely accepted as a beneficial approach
to the study of biology. Students should leave college
with a firm grasp of how their bodies normally function and
how the human population can become more fully integrated
into the biosphere. We are frequently called upon to
make health and environmental decisions. Wise decisions
require adequate knowledge and can help ensure our continued
survival as individuals and as a species.
In this edition, as in previous editions, Human Biology introduces
students to the anatomy and physiology of the human
body. All systems of the body are represented, and each
system has its own chapter. The text also helps students understand
that humans are a part of the biosphere, and that
human activities can have environmental consequences.
Each chapter in Human Biology presents concepts clearly,
simply, and distinctly so that students will feel capable of
achieving an adult level of understanding. Detailed, highlevel
scientific data and terminology are not included because
I believe true knowledge consists of having a working
understanding of concepts rather than technical facility. This Edition
This ninth edition of Human Biology continues to stress relevancy
and student interest. Some of the highlights of the
ninth edition include: • System chapters in Part II have been reorganized.
Part II “Maintenance of the Human Body” has been
reorganized to better emphasize the importance of
the cardiovascular system to homeostasis and the
importance of blood to the cardiovascular system.
The first chapter in Part II is now entitled
“Cardiovascular System: Heart and Blood Vessels.”
This reorganization is consistent with the recognition
that blood and tissue fluid make up the internal
environment of humans. • New chapter added to Part VI “Human Genetics.”
Chapter 20 “Genetic Counseling” is new and serves
as the pinnacle of the student’s study of genetics,
because it covers all aspects of chromosomal and
genetic diseases and ends with a discussion of how
genomics may lead to better therapy for such
disorders. • Existing chapters in Part VI have been reorganized
and rewritten.
Chapter 17 “Cell Division and the Human Life
Cycle” offers a much improved discussion of mitosis
and meiosis (with new illustrations) and relates these
two types of cell division to the human life cycle.
Chapter 18 “Patterns of Inheritance” presents the
basic principles of particulate inheritance in a way
that leads to student understanding of both one-trait
and two-trait autosomal crosses. The chapter also
includes sex-linked inheritance. Chapter 19 “DNA
Biology and Technology” is a more in-depth, but
student-friendly, examination of DNA/RNA
structure and function. This material serves as a
necessary background to an appreciation of modernday
utilization of DNA technology. The discussion of
genomics and related fields helps students have a
current understanding of genetics in the 21st century. • Part VIII “Human Evolution and Ecology” has been
reorganized into three chapters.
Chapter 27 “Human Population, Planetary
Resources, and Conservation” combines Chapters 26
and 27 from the eighth edition and shows the
relationship between consumption of resources and
pollution, and their effects on biodiversity. • Homeostasis is emphasized through new
illustrations.
The Human Systems Work Together illustrations
have been newly designed and revised to more
efficiently highlight how body systems work together
to achieve homeostasis. Each illustration outlines the
functions of the various systems with brief, concise
statements, and the accompanying human figure
provides a visual of each system. On the facing page
of the illustration, a full page of text discusses
homeostasis in the context of that chapter, and
features a possible event in the student’s everyday
life.
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.
2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education