Biology Demystified: A Self-Teaching Guide / Edition 1

by Dale Layman

Overview

Say goodbye to dry presentations, grueling formulas, and abstract theory that would put Einstein to sleep--now there's an easier way to master chemistry, biology, trigonometry, and geometry. McGraw-Hill's Demystified Series teaches complex subjects in a unique, easy-to-absorb manner and is designed for users without formal training, unlimited time, or genius IQs.

Organized like self-teaching guides, they come complete with key points, background information, questions at the end of each chapter, and final exams. There's no better way to gain instant expertise!

ABOUT BIOLOGY DEMYSTIFIED:

* A college biology professor presents the fundamental facts, concepts, and principles of biology in an attractive and amusing framework

* Great for anyone with an interest in biology, biotechnology, medicine, or the environment

* Coverage includes both the anatomy and physiology of organisms as well as ecology and environmental relationships between organisms

* Includes a pronunciation guide for difficult biological terms

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780071410403
Publisher:	McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing
Publication date:	06/26/2003
Series:	Demystified Series
Edition description:	List
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	227,485
Product dimensions:	9.18(w) x 7.32(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Dr. Dale Layman (Joliet, IL) is a Professor of Biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology at Joliet Junior College. A resident of Joliet, Illinois, Dr. Layman is a frequent author with many international honors and awards. He has more than 28 years of experience in the field of biological sciences.

Table of Contents

PREFACEPART 1: GETTING READY FOR BIOLOGY Chapter 1. The Coming of Biology Chapter 2. Patterns of Life Chapter 3. Evolution: From Dawn to Darwin Test: Part 1 PART 2: THE UNIVERSAL BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE Chapter 4. Chemicals: The Tiniest Blocks Chapter 5. Cells: The "Little Chambers" in Plants and Animals Test: Part 2 PART 3: THE FIVE KINGDOMS OF LIFE, PLUS VIRUSES Chapter 6. Bacteria and the "Homeless" Viruses Chapter 7. The Protists: "First of All" Chapter 8. The Fungi: Not Just Mushrooms! Chapter 9. The Plants: "Kings and Queens" of the World of Green Chapter 10. Invertebrates As Special Animals: "Have You No Spine?" Chapter 11. The Arthropods: No Jointed Backbone, but "Jointed Feet" Chapter 12. The Chordata: Animals with a "Chord" In Their "Back" Test: Part 3 PART 4: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF ANIMALS Chapter 13. Skins and Skeletons Chapter 14. The Neuromuscular (Nerve-Muscle) Connection Chapter 15. Glands and Their Hormone Messengers (and more...)

Editorial Reviews

The new "Self-Teaching Guide" series from McGraw-Hill targets home-schooled students and career changers needing to brush up on science. Following earlier entries on physics, astronomy, and various mathematical topics, these latest are relatively readable but leave much to desired. Layman (biology, Joliet Junior Coll.) skimps on evolution, botany, and heredity and leans heavily toward etymology; one could score well on his tests by studying Latin and Greek instead of reading the text. Williams, a former technical writer, does not spend enough time on physical chemistry and electrochemistry. She exhibits a marked fondness for chemical history and foreign-language chemical terms-topics not generally given much weight in introductory chemistry courses. A glossary and additional practice problems would have been useful additions here. Both books offer idiosyncratic tests for self-assessment; both also lack thorough proofreading. Biology, for example, states that "modern land plants are the ancestors of primitive green algae," while Chemistry promises but omits an inside cover periodic table and describes bleach as a sodium hydroxide solution when it is a sodium hypochlorite solution. Biology's index is atrocious-incorrect page references and poor cross references abound-and Chemistry's needs improvement, too. Public and school libraries should instead consider other readable guides such as Donna Rae Siegfried's Biology for DummiesR or Ian Guch's The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry, but they should also be checked for errors and gaps in coverage. Note also that John T. Moore's Chemistry for DummiesR lacks practice problems, and none of these titles includes tests. Academic libraries should purchase the companion study guides published for many introductory textbooks. Not recommended.-Nancy R. Curtis, Univ. of Maine Lib., Orono Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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