Plant Biology (Pearson)

Hardback  608 pages  ISBN 0130303712      £41.00

Please note: This title is not available from CPL Press in North America or Australasia - please contact a local source

This new text by leading botany researcher and educator, Linda Graham, brings a modern plant biology flavour to this course. The focus is to develop “plant literacy” among students by helping them see the role of plants in the environment and society. The numerous examples and applications woven throughout the text and the innovative art programme combine to make Plant Biology an exciting text from which to learn or teach!

Contents

I. INTRODUCTION.

1. Introduction to Plant Biology.
2. Plants and People.
3. Naming and Organizing Plants.

II. MOLECULES, CELLS, AND MICROBES.

4. The Molecules of Life.
5. The Origin of Life and the Scientific Method.
6. Prokaryotes, Earths Oldest and Simplest Lifeforms.
7. Eukaryotic Cells.
8. Metabolism: Photosynthesis and Respiration.
9. Algae, Fungi, and Lichens: Photosynthesis and Respiration in Action.
10. DNA and RNA--The Molecules of Heredity.
11. Cell Division--Mitosis and Cytokinesis.

III. PLANT STRUCTURE AND REPRODUCTION.

12. Plant Structure, Growth, and Development.
13. Stems.
14. Roots.
15. Leaves.
16. Reproduction, Meiosis, and Life Cycles.
17. Genetics and the Laws of Inheritance.
18. Genetic Engineering.
19. Biological Evolution.
20. Plant Evolution and Diversity.
21. Angiosperm Reproduction: Flowers, Fruits and Seeds.
22. Flowering Plants and Animal Co-Evolution: Pollination, Dispersal, Defense.

IV. PLANT DIVERSITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

23. Principles of Ecology and the Biosphere.
24. Polar Deserts, Tundra, and Taiga.
25. Freshwaters, Wetlands, and Water Quality.
26. Deserts and Desertification.
27. Grasslands.
28. Temperate Deciduous Forests and Chaparral.
29. Tropical Rain Forests.
30. Plants and Human Sustainability.

Features

• Author team - The authors, led by Linda Graham, integrate 20+ years of teaching experience with active research from the fields of cell biology, molecular biology and ecology. Their extensive teaching experience combined with up-to-date research result in a text that covers contemporary key principles while maintaining an appropriate level for all students.
• Focus on function - Plant Biology builds on a strong foundation of plant structure in order to emphasize the key functions of plants in the world.
  - Generates an excitement about plants when students discover the many functions and necessity of plants.
  - Students become more engaged and receptive to learning the material. For example, The Botany of Beer, Heavy Metal Plants and Restoring a Lost Forest show students the role of plants as it relates to their lives.
• Focus on “Scientific Literacy” - The goal of Plant Biology is to motivate students to gain a broad understanding of the fundamental biological processes that affect many life decisions.
  - Emphasis on the scientific method develops critical thinking skills.
  - Numerous analogies, examples and applications demonstrate the relevance of the material and emphasize the necessity of being &# 147;scientifically literate.”
  - Teaches students how to evaluate basic biological principles so they can make informed decisions.
• Focus on defining themes - Global ecology, evolution and DNA science are essential topics that provide a contemporary thematic framework throughout the text. Key in developing scientific literacy, these themes are also of wide interest to students.
  - Engages students and encourages them to focus on the function of plants in the world.
  - Increases understanding of biology through compelling issues students will encounter through the media (environmental degradation, genetically modified crops, medicinal herbs).
  - Integration within the chapter indicated by margin icons.
  - Separate chapters on global ecology, evolution and DNA science pay specific attention to these themes.
• Focus on art - Led by co-author and botanist Lee W. Wilcox, the illustrations were developed hand-in-hand with the text - making the art an integrated part of the text, rather than an adjunct feature.
  - Designed to be attractive and easily understood by non- majors.
  - Accurately reflects the meaning and goals of the text.
• Focus on organization - While each chapter is designed to stand alone, the presentation of material throughout the text aims to improve understanding and retention by presenting important information in multiple, different contexts.
  - Focuses on the need for students to see the same material presented in different ways, while still allowing instructors the flexibility to present chapters in any order they prefer.
  - For example, the role of nitrogen is covered in multiple ways such as plant growth (Ch. 4); nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Ch. 6); nitrogen in DNA (Ch. 10); Global nitrogen cycling (Ch. 23); nitrogen and plants role in reducing environmental degradation (Ch. 30).