Biology as a natural science: The study of Life in all its Forms

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This book takes the readers through introduction to biology. This book sheds light on the concept of the science of life and its chemical basis. This book further explains the cells, genes, heredity, the diversity of life, and nervous system, sensory system, and immune system. Cover Title Page Copyright ABOUT THE AUTHOR TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures List of Abbreviations Glossary Preface Chapter 1 Introduction to Biology 1.1. Introduction 1.2. Properties of Life 1.3. Levels of Organization of Living Things 1.4. Five Core Themes of Biology 1.5. Evolutionary Theory/ Theory of Evolution 1.6. The Diversity of Life 1.7. Branches of Biological Study 1.8. The Process of Science 1.9. Natural Sciences 1.10. Basic and Applied Science 1.11. Conclusion References Chapter 2 The Science of Life and its Chemical Basis 2.1. Introduction 2.2. What Kind of Molecules Characterize Living Things? 2.3. What are the Chemical Structures and Functions of Proteins? 2.4. What are the Chemical Structures and Functions of Carbohydrates? 2.5. What are the Chemical Structures and Functions of Lipids? 2.6. What are the Chemical Structures and Functions of Nucleic Acids? 2.7. How Did the First Cells Originate? 2.8. What Features Make Cells the Fundamental Units of Life? 2.9. What is the Structure of a Biological Membrane? 2.10. What Are Signals, and How Do Cells Respond to Them? 2.11. How Do Cells Communicate Directly? 2.12. Conclusion References Chapter 3 Cells, Genes and Heredity 3.1. Introduction 3.2. The Evolution of Cells 3.3. Heredity and Evolution 3.4. Chemical Structure of Genes 3.5. Gene Transcription and Translation 3.6. How Do Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Divide? 3.7. Prokaryotes Divide By Binary Fission 3.8. How Is Eukaryotic Cell Division Controlled? 3.9. Role Of Cell Division in a Sexual Life Cycle 3.10. In A Living Organism, How Do Cells Die? 3.11. Unregulated Cell Division Lead to Cancer? 3.12. Mendelian Law of Inheritance 3.13. How Do Genes Interact ? 3.14. The Environment Affects Gene Action 3.15. Relationship Between Genes and Chromosomes 3.16. Genes on Sex Chromosomes are Inherited in Special Ways 3.17. How Do Prokaryotes Transmit Genes? 3.18. Conclusion References Chapter 4 Flowering Plants: Form and Functions 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Basic Body Plan of Plants 4.3. Cell Wall Support Plant Growth and Form 4.4. How Do Plant Tissues and Organs Originate? 4.5. The Plant Body is Constructed From Three Tissue Systems 4.6. Cells of the Xylem Transport Water and Dissolved Minerals 4.7. Cells of the Phloem Transport the Products of Photosynthesis 4.8. How Do Meristems Build a Continuously Growing Plant? 4.9. Leaves are Determinate Organs Produced by Shoot Apical Meristems 4.10. How Has Domestication Altered Plant Form? 4.11. How Do Plants Acquire Nutrients? 4.12. What Mineral Nutrients Do Plants Require? 4.13. Do Carnivorous and Parasitic Plants Obtain a Balanced Diet? 4.14. Flowering Plants Have Microscopic Gametophytes 4.15. The Flowering Stimulus Originates in a Leaf 4.16. Flowering Plants Use Animals or Wind to Transfer Pollen Between Flowers 4.17. Self-Pollination 4.18. Conclusion References Chapter 5 Animals: Forms and Functions 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Types of Animals With their Class, Category, and Group 5.3. How Do Multicellular Animals Supply the Needs of Their Cells? 5.4. How Do Animals Alter Their Heat Exchange With the Environment? 5.5. Animal Hormones 5.6. Major Defense System of Animals 5.7. How Do Animals Make So Many Different Antibodies? 5.8. Animals Reproduce Without Sex 5.9. How Do Animals Reproduce Sexually? 5.10. An Individual Animal Can Function as Both Male and Female 5.11. The Evolution of Vertebrate Reproductive Systems Parallels the Move to Land 5.12. Animal Development 5.13. Gas Exchange in Animals 5.14. Why Do Animals Need Circulatory System? 5.15. Conclusion References Chapter 6 The Diversity of Life 6.1. Introduction 6.2. History of Life 6.3. Estimates of Current Diversity 6.4. Living World Begin to Diversify 6.5. Where Do Viruses Fit Into the Tree of Life? 6.6. Many RNA Viruses Probably Represent Escaped Genomic Components 6.7. How Do Eukaryotic Cells Arise? 6.8. The Evolution of Seed Plants 6.9. How Do Plants Support Our World? 6.10. Facts Form the Basis of Our Understanding of Evolution? 6.11. Mechanisms of Evolutionary Change 6.12. Natural Selection Result In Evolution 6.13. Natural Selection Can Change or Stabilize Populations 6.14. Constraints on Evolution 6.15. Conclusion References Chapter 7 Nervous System, Sensory System and Immune System 7.1. Introduction 7.2. The Nervous System Consists of Neurons and Supporting Cells 7.3. Nerve Impulses are Produced on the Axon Membrane 7.4. The Central Nervous System Consists of the Brain 7.5. Language and Other Functions 7.6. The Autonomic Nervous System 7.7. Animals Employ a Wide Variety of Sensory Receptors 7.8. Sensing Muscle Contraction and Blood Pressure 7.9. Sensing Taste, Smell, and Body Position 7.10. Evolution of the Immune System 7.11. Many of the Body’S Most Effective Defenses are Nonspecific 7.12. Cells of the Specific Immune System 7.13. Initiating the Immune Response 7.14. The Immune System Can Be Defeated 7.15. Conclusion References Index Back Cover