Author Description

The authors, a biologist and a professional writer, have chosen evolution and ecology, subjects of general interest, to follow the introductory chapter. Only after the broad scope of biology has been established in the first four chapters do we turn to the biochemical level and begin to describe microstructure of living systems. For those who choose not to approach a survey of biology as we have, the chapters are internally structured so that the order in which they are studied need not follow the order of the book. Of particular interest to non-science students will be the chapters on human sexual biology and disease and aging. These subjects are dealt with in greater detail than in most other texts of this kind. Chapter objectives and summaries offer learning aids to the student. There is an Appendix which includes a glossary and metric tables. A separate study guide is available to assist the student in mastering the course material.