Biology Essentials For Dummies

Biology Essentials For Dummies (9781119589587) was previously published as Biology Essentials For Dummies (9781118072677). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.

Just the core concepts you need to score high in your biology course

Biology Essentials For Dummies focuses on just the core concepts you need to succeed in an introductory biology course. From identifying the structures and functions of plants and animals to grasping the crucial discoveries in evolutionary, reproductive, and ecological biology, this easy-to-follow guide lets you skip the suffering and score high at exam time.

• Get down to basics — master the fundamentals, from understanding what biologists study to how living things are classified
• The chemistry of life — find out what you need to know about atoms, elements, molecules, compounds, acids, bases, and more
• Conquer and divide — discover the ins and outs of asexual and sexual reproduction, including cell division and DNA replication

Jump into the gene pool — grasp how proteins make traits happen, and easily understand DNA transcription, RNA processing, translation, and gene regulation.

Introduction 1

Chapter 1: Exploring the Living World 5

Chapter 2: The Chemistry of Life 23

Chapter 3: The Living Cell 39

Chapter 4: Energy and Organisms 57

Chapter 5: Reproducing Cells 73

Chapter 6: DNA and Proteins: Life Partners 95

Chapter 7: Ecosystems and Populations 111

Chapter 8: Understanding Genetics 129

Chapter 9: Biological Evolution 145

Chapter 10: Ten Great Biology Discoveries 157

Index 163

René Fester Kratz, PhD, teaches biology at Everett Community College. Dr. Kratz holds a PhD in Botany for the University of Washington. She works with other scientists and K-12 teachers to develop science curricula that align with national learning standards and the latest research on human learning. Dr. Kratz and Donna Rae Siegfried are the coauthors of Biology For Dummies.

• The "must-know" biology basics
• Concise coverage of important topics
• Key concepts in quick, focused lessons

The basics you need to best biology

Whether you're cramming, studying new material, or just need a refresher, this compact guide gives you a concise, easy-to-follow review of the most important concepts covered in a typical biology course. From identifying the structures and functions of plants and animals to grasping the crucial discoveries in evolutionary, reproductive, and ecological biology, Biology Essentials For Dummies lets you skip the suffering and score high at exam time.

Inside...

• Cells and their substructures
• Elementary chemistry
• Reproduction and DNA
• Energy and organisms
• What to know about evolution
• Ecosystems and populations
• Ten great biology discoveries