Biology, 11th Edition

"Inquiring About" boxes explore issues relevant to students' lives, providing a forum for discussing topics of current interest in more detail. Hundreds of examples throughout the book demonstrate the connections between the laboratory and real life.

The text's successful learning system guides students through every chapter and provides them with the learning strategies needed to integrate and demonstrate mastery of biology concepts. Learning objectives begin each section and Checkpoint questions enable students to assess their level of understanding of the material at the end of the section.

A variety of question types support student learning. "Test Your Understanding" end-of-chapter questions are organized according to Bloom's taxonomy so that students can evaluate their understanding of the material. "Know and Comprehend" multiple-choice questions reinforce important terms and concepts. "Apply and Analyze" questions challenge students to integrate their knowledge. Higher-level "Evaluate and Synthesize" questions encourage students to apply the concepts just learned to new situations or make connections among important concepts.

Several types of questions tied to Key Point, Key Experiment, Checkpoint and Test Your Understanding features carry special designations to help students think like scientists and apply their knowledge. These Predict; Connect; Visualize; Evolution Link; Interpret Data; and Science, Technology and Society questions emphasize that learning is enhanced by many diverse approaches.

The genetics and DNA technology chapters present discussions of the CRISPR gene editing system and CRISPR-mediated gene drive. Coverage of the mechanisms behind CRISPR-mediated gene drive as well as its potential biological and social consequences. These chapters also include expanded discussion of epigenetic control of gene regulation. The DNA technology chapter is updated to illustrate the importance of new genomic methods based on high-speed DNA sequencing methods.

The cell biology coverage in Chapters 4, 5 and 6 places greater emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of cell research.

The unit on evolution includes exciting new molecular and fossil finds that are contributing to our understanding of the evolution of humans and our relatives.

The chapters on diversity of life are updated based on new findings in genetics and evolution. This includes new information on archaea, implications of recent research on the human microbiome and an expanded discussion of antibiotic resistance. The authors emphasize the importance of genetics and evolution in classification and move toward the use of clades, rather than phyla and classes.

The unit on structure and life processes in animals includes an introduction to the mesentery, which has recently been recognized as an organ. Scientists are exploring the mesentery's role in health and disease. There's also updated or new material on neurotransmitters, cardiovascular disease, immune function, regulation of appetite and energy metabolism, endocrine function, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, transmission of culture in vertebrates and many other topics.

The updated unit on ecology emphasizes human interdependence with other organisms and the role humans have played in global climate change, the decrease in species diversity and other environmental crises. The content emphasizes solutions--how humans can contribute to the survival of the biosphere.