Understanding Biology ISE

Kenneth A. Mason received his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Washington, worked at UC Berkeley, then pursued his PhD in Genetics at UC Davis. He has taught Gentics, Microbial Genetics, Microbiology, Advanced Molecular Genetics, Introductory Biology, and a Genetics Laboratory that he designed.

A concise and engaging biology text for biology majors, Understanding Biology 4e partnered with Connect emphasizes fundamentals concepts to help students better understand biology and focus on developing scientific skills. This approach utilizes the Vision and Change guidelines of Core Concepts and Core Skills while helping students begin the process of becoming a scientist.

Part I The Molecular Basis of Life1--The Science of Biology2--The Nature of Moleculars and the Properties of Water3--The Chemical Building Blocks of LifePart II The Biology of the Cell4--Cell Structure5--Membranes6--Energy and Metabolism7--How Cells Harvest Energy8--Photosynthesis9--Cell Communication10--How Cells DividePart III Genetic and Molecular Biology11--Sexual Reproduction and Meiosis12--Patterns of Inheritance13--The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance14--DNA: The Genetic Material15--Genes and How They Work16--Control of Gene Expression17--Biotechnology18--GenomicsPart IV Evolution19--Genes Within Populations20--The Evidence for Evolution21--The Origin of SpeciesPart V The Diversity of Life22--Systematics and Phylogeny23--Prokaryotes and Viruses24--Protists25--Fungi26--Plants27--Animal Diversity28--VertebratesPart VI Plant Form and Function29--Plant Form30--Flowering Plant Reproduction31--The Living PlantPart VII Animal Form and Function32--The Animal Biology and How It Moves33--The Nervous System34--Fueling the Body's Metabolism35--Maintaining Homeostasis36--Reproduction and DevelopmentPart VIII Ecology and Behavior37--Behavioral Biology38--Ecology of Individuals and Populations39--Community Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics40--The Living World