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Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology, 12th edition

Published by Pearson (January 22, 2019) © 2020

  • Gerald Audesirk University of Colorado, Denver
  • Teresa Audesirk University of Colorado, Denver
  • Bruce E. Byers University of Massachusetts, Amherst

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For non-majors/mixed biology courses.

Comprehensive coverage for non-majors biology

Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology fosters discovery and scientific understanding that students can use throughout their lives. The text engages students with real-world applications, high-interest case studies, and its conversational, question-and-answer approach. Engaging Case Studies and thoughtful pedagogy help students develop critical thinking and scientific literacy skills.

The 12th Edition expands its focus on the process of science with new Doing Science boxes. New Think Deeper questions give instructors guidance for starting classroom discussions that promote critical thinking.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Each chapter presents a Case Study that describes a true and relevant event or phenomenon and ties the related biological concepts to the real world.
  • Have You Ever Wondered? questions ask a biology-related question about an everyday curiosity and include a brief scientific answer.
  • Check Your Learning and End of Chapter questions ask students to look back, recall and reinforce their comprehension of biology concepts.
  • Consider This, Think Critically and Applying the Concepts questions ask students to dig deeper, reflect and think critically about the chapter material

New and updated features of this title

  • Doing Science boxes throughout the text explore the process of scientific discovery, experimental design, and exciting new biotechnology techniques, helping students understand how the process of science plays out in a multitude of different ways..
  • EXPANDED: Think Critically questions challenge readers to apply their knowledge to information presented in a photo, figure, graph or table, and to make decisions on real-life scenarios.
  • EXPANDED: Earth Watch boxes are presented twice in each unit and adapted to encourage more critical thinking. A question challenges students to think deeply about what they've just read.
  • Think Deeper questions provide instructors with suggestions for in-class discussions that encourage students to take their critical thinking even further. Questions are available in the downloadable Instructor's Guide.

Features of Mastering Biology for the 12th Edition

  • NEW: Pearson® Interactive Labs are structured around the process of science and feature real-world scenarios. These easy-to-use online labs provide guided feedback, allowing students to learn by doing.
  • NEW: Doing Science coaching activities help students engage with the process of science.
  • UPDATED: GraphIt! Coaching Activities help students develop basic data analysis skills and practice applying these skills by interpreting data about environmental issues.
  • Working with Data activities challenge students to analyze and apply their knowledge of biology to a graph or set of data.
  • Building Vocabulary exercises help students learn the meaning of common prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, and then challenge them to apply their knowledge to learn unfamiliar biology terms.
  • Evaluating Science in the Media activities teach students to recognize validity, bias, purpose, and authority in everyday sources of information.
Biology Life on Earth, 12th Edition is available in 2 versions:
  • Biology Life on Earth, 12th Edition includes Chapters 1-31
  • Biology Life on Earth with Physiology, 12th Edition includes Chapters 1-46
  1. An Introduction to Life on Earth

UNIT 1: THE LIFE OF THE CELL

  1. Atoms, Molecules, and Life
  2. Biological Molecules
  3. Cell Structure and Function
  4. Cell Membrane Structure and Function
  5. Energy Flow in the Life of a Cell
  6. Capturing Solar Energy: Photosynthesis
  7. Harvesting Energy: Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration

UNIT 2: INHERITANCE

  1. Cellular Reproduction
  2. Meiosis: The Basis of Sexual Reproduction
  3. Patterns of Inheritance
  4. DNA: The Molecule of Heredity
  5. Gene Expression and Regulation
  6. Biotechnology

UNIT 3: EVOLUTION AND DIVERSITY OF LIFE

  1. Principles of Evolution
  2. How Populations Evolve
  3. The Origin of Species
  4. The History of Life
  5. Systematics: Seeking Order Amid Diversity
  6. The Diversity of Prokaryotes and Viruses
  7. The Diversity of Protists
  8. The Diversity of Plants
  9. The Diversity of Fungi
  10. Animal Diversity I: Invertebrates
  11. Animal Diversity II: Vertebrates

UNIT 4: BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY

  1. Animal Behavior
  2. Population Growth and Regulation
  3. Community Interactions
  4. Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling in Ecosystems
  5. Earth's Diverse Ecosystems
  6. Conserving Earth's Biodiversity

UNIT 5: ANIMAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

  1. Homeostasis and the Organization of the Animal Body
  2. Circulation
  3. Respiration
  4. Nutrition and Digestion
  5. The Urinary System
  6. Defenses Against Disease
  7. Chemical Control of the Animal Body: The Endocrine System
  8. The Nervous System
  9. The Senses
  10. Action and Support: The Muscles and Skeleton
  11. Animal Reproduction
  12. Animal Development

UNIT 6: PLANT ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

  1. Plant Anatomy and Nutrient Transport
  2. Plant Reproduction and Development
  3. Plant Responses to the Environment

About our authors

TERRY AND GERRY AUDESIRK grew up in New Jersey, where they met as undergraduates, Gerry at Rutgers University and Terry at Bucknell University. After marrying in 1970, they moved to California, where Terry earned her doctorate in marine ecology at the University of Southern California and Gerry earned his doctorate in neurobiology at the California Institute of Technology. As postdoctoral students at the University of Washington's marine laboratories, they worked together on the neural bases of behavior, using a marine mollusk as a model system.

They are now emeritus professors of biology at the University of Colorado Denver, where they taught introductory biology and neurobiology from 1982 through 2006. In their research, funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health, they investigated the mechanisms by which neurons are harmed by low levels of environmental pollutants and protected by estrogen.

Terry and Gerry are long-time members of many conservation organizations and share a deep appreciation of nature and of the outdoors. They enjoy hiking in the Rockies, walking and horseback riding near their home outside Steamboat Springs, and singing in the community chorus. Keeping up with the amazing and endless stream of new discoveries in biology provides them with a continuing source of fascination and stimulation. They are delighted that their daughter Heather has become a teacher and is inspiring a new generation of students with her love of chemistry.

BRUCE E. BYERS is a Midwesterner transplanted to the hills of western Massachusetts, where he is a professor in the biology department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has been a member of the faculty at UMass (where he also completed his doctoral degree) since 1993. Bruce teaches courses in evolution, ornithology, and animal behavior, and does research on the function and evolution of bird vocalizations.

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