Biological Explorations: A Human Approach, 6th edition

Easily adapted to the lab component of non-majors, introductory courses in human biology, or general biology courses, with a human emphasis.

Compatible with any textbook, this manual provides 33 stimulating laboratory exercises for either human biology or introductory biology courses for non-majors in which the human organism is emphasized. The level of rigor, user-friendly language, and abundant illustrations make this manual ideal for students who have had little, if any, prior science laboratory experience.

The Sixth Edition features a fresh, new design that provides students with an easy-to-follow lab resource, while simplifying instructors’ work in the lab. This new design organizes the manual’s wide range of material so that it is easily referenced. Re-drawn figures, updated headings, and the addition of biohazard safety information also make this edition unique.

• 33 self-contained exercises provide instructors with a wide range of choices and the flexibility to use the exercises in any sequence desired.
• Step-by-step instructions allow students to work through each assignment independently.
• Over 200 illustrations enhance student understanding. Students are asked to color-code significant structures as an aid to learning the anatomy of cells, tissues, organs, and organisms.
• Eight plates of vivid color photos reveal the structure of difficult-to-observe organisms, in Part IV: Organismic Diversity.
• Objectives for each exercise outline the minimal learning responsibilities for students.
• Background information precedes experiments so that students understand the subject of the exercise and are prepared for the activities that follow. The depth and breadth of this information minimizes the need for introductory explanations by the instructor.
• Emphasis on the scientific method challenges students to put the scientific method into action as they conduct experiments.
• Laboratory reports are located immediately after each exercise, creating greater ease of use for students and their instructors.
• A re-designed and updated Instructor’s Manual contains a list of major suppliers; guidelines for infection control in the lab; and chapter-by-chapter materials, solution preparation instructions, operational suggestions, and specific assignment tips. Each chapter is followed by the corresponding lab report answers.   

• Expanded safety and biohazard information is included throughout, plus the addition of a new safety alert icon to warn students of possible dangers in the lab and guide them safely through assignments.
• An updated art program includes several re-drawn and revised figures, as well as new photos that reflect modern lab equipment and detailed specimen images.
• Improved figures relate to topics such as: microscope care (Chapter 2), plant and animal cells (Chapter 3), connective tissues (Chapter 13), blood circulation and heart structure (Chapter 15), and skull comparison (Chapter 31).
• New labeling and color-coding activities have been added to specific chapter assignments as an especially useful tool for learning the anatomy of cells, tissues, organs, and organisms.
• Clarified lab report questions will make it easier for students to successfully complete their assignments and retain concepts they have learned in the lab.
• A widened discussion on scientific inquiry includes new hypothetical examples that demonstrate how to correctly perform each step of the scientific method.
• Revised assignment headings now include titles that correspond to applicable sections in the lab report. This will help students navigate between the assignments’ instructions and the lab reports’ questions.
• Clear, navigable, modernized design organizes the depth of information, while maintaining a non-intimidating appearance and straight-forward approach that simplifies the work of both students and instructors.