Biology: A Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd edition

Book Preface

How to Use This Book

The objective of this Self-Teaching Guide is to take what is currently being taught in most college biology courses and make it easier to learn. And in so doing, the student is more successful. This book organizes, condenses, and clarifies the main concepts and terms, highlighting all the primary points needed to fully grasp the material and to do well in any biology course.
The chapters and questions provide excellent preparation for quizzes, tests, exams, prelims, and finals. This Self-Teaching Guide has a study section at the end of each chapter where key terms, questions to think about, and multiple-choice questions like those that appear on exams (complete with the answers), are presented. Plus, this book is the perfect study companion when preparing for standardized exams in biology such as the Student Aptitude Test (SAT), The American College Testing Program Assessment (ACT), Admissions Testing Program Achievement Test, in Biology, Advanced Placement Program:Biology, College Level Examination Program:Subject Examination in Science —Biology, National Teacher Examinations (NTE) Specialty Area Test: Biology and General Sciences, and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE): Subject Test—Biology.

Preface

I’ve been the student, the TA, the professor, chair, dean, and director. I have worked with students at all levels, and we’ve used many different biology texts. The need is clear, the similarities are apparent. Students almost unanimously agree, biology courses need something. They force you to learn too much too fast. What you’re taught and what you read is usually too hard to understand.
Having remedied biology courses’ weaknesses and built on their strengths, this book allows us to collaborate, bridging the gap between what’s being taught and what’s being learned. Although I’d prefer to be there teaching you all personally, through Biology: A Self-Teaching Guide, the net effect will be positive. The formula works!

Contents
How to Use This Book ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xiii
1 Origin of Life 1
2 Cell Structure 11
3 Cell Division 51
4 Reproduction 69
5 Cellular Respiration 91
6 Photosynthesis 107
7 Homeostasis 129
8 Hormones 143
9 The Brain and the Nervous System 165
10 Bones and Muscles 189
11 Internal Transport: Plants and Invertebrates 205
12 Circulatory System 219
13 Blood 235
14 Viruses and Subviruses 251
15 Monera 259
16 Protista 271
17 Fungi 275
18 Plant Kingdom: Plantae 285
19 Animal Kingdom: Animalia 307
Index