The Basics of Biology

294 Pages·2007·23.01 MB·English

The Basics of Biology
Carol Leth Stone
GREENWOOD PRESS
The Basics of Biology

The Basics of Biology
Carol Leth Stone
Basics of the Hard Sciences
Robert E. Krebs, Series Editor
GREENWOOD PRESS
Westport, Connecticut • London
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stone, Carol Leth.
The basics of biology / Carol Leth Stone.
p. cm. — (Basics of the hard sciences)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0–313–31786–0 (alk. paper)
1. Biology. 2. Human biology. I. Title. II. Series.
QH307.2.S75 2004
570—dc22 2004008510
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available.
Copyright © 2004 by Carol Leth Stone
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be
reproduced, by any process or technique, without the
express written consent of the publisher.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2004008510
ISBN: 0–313–31786–0
First published in 2004
Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
www.greenwood.com
Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the
Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National
Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984).
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
In memory of Paul DeHart Hurd, teacher and friend.

Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
Chapter 1 The Biosphere 1
From Organisms to Ecosystems 1
Changing Populations 20
Chapter 2 The Evolution of Life 25
Explaining Changes over Time 25
Explaining Geographic Similarities and Differences 34
Evolution by Natural Selection 46
Adaptations and Survival 48
The Human Species 54
The Origin of Life 59
Chapter 3 Cells and Genetics 63
The Study of Cells 64
Explaining Variations 74
Inheritance and Evolution 82
DNA, RNA, and Protein 85
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology 90
Chapter 4 Organs and Systems 101
From Cells to Organ Systems 103
Using and Distributing Materials in the Body 105
Shielding and Supporting the Body 119
Sending Chemical and Electrical Signals in the Body 125
Creating a New Individual 136
viii Contents
Chapter 5 A Survey of Organisms 143
The Beginnings of Classification 143
The Five-Kingdom System 146
Chapter 6 Humans in the Biosphere 179
Human Population Growth 180
Human Effects on Natural Resources 181
Science as a Human Endeavor 190
The Future of the Biosphere 191
Chapter 7 Investigations 201
The Biosphere 202
The Evolution of Life 203
Cells and Genetics 204
Organs and Systems 205
A Survey of Organisms 207
Humans in the Biosphere 208
Answers to Questions 211
Appendix 1. Investigating Biology on the Internet 215
Appendix 2. Units of Measurement: Metric System and English System 219
Appendix 3. Landmarks in Biology 221
Glossary 227
Selected Bibliography 249
For Further Reading 251
Index 257
Preface
This book will describe what the living things on our world are like today, how they
became what they are, and how their characteristics are passed from one genera-
tion to the next. It will also show how living things interact with each other and
with their nonliving surroundings.
Never has the need for biology education been greater. We are continually bom-
barded with new information about environmental problems, bacteriology, genetic
engineering, drugs, health, and other biology-related topics. Yet few of us retain
enough knowledge about basic biology to make informed decisions or even to read
newspaper science articles intelligently.
It is no longer possible—if it ever was—to provide a comprehensive survey of
biology, but the material that follows will enable readers to read and evaluate arti-
cles and books written for the general public. In addition, the investigations, sug-
gestions for further reading, and list of Web sites can lead readers beyond this basic
introduction.
Readers will not become instant experts on biology, of course. This book is
designed mainly as a reference work, to be used as needed for understanding the
biological articles, books, and news programs that surround us. Readers should
achieve at least a level of understanding that will enable them to read biology arti-
cles in the New York TimesorScientific Americanwithout becoming confused.
Chapter 1 gives an overview of ecology, providing a general picture of the bio-
sphere and its inhabitants. In Chapter 2, evolution is presented as the process that
has resulted in the biosphere of today. Chapter 3 discusses genetics, the molecular
basis of variations that are the substrate for evolution. Body systems, especially
human systems, are the subject of Chapter 4. In Chapter 5, the major classes of liv-
ing organisms are surveyed. Completing the cycle, Chapter 6 returns to ecology,
with emphasis on human ecology. The investigations or experiments in Chapter 7
have several purposes. Some provide additional concrete examples of ideas in the
text; some help readers plan and carry out biological experiments; and some link
the information in this book to events in the environment. Rather than being “cook-
book” types of investigations, they are open-ended, encouraging readers to ask their