Biology of Humans Concepts, Applications, and Issues

Humans are, by nature, curious, and this book is intended to stimulate the curiosity of nonscience students toward gaining an appreciation for the intricacy of human life and our place in the ecosphere. Once piqued, curiosity must rely upon conceptual substance for understanding. We inform students by building a conceptual framework that allows them to better understand their everyday experiences with their bodies and with the world around them. Connections between biological concepts and social issues and the application of these concepts to familiar experiences will support you in your classroom instruction and discussion by helping students see the importance--and excitement--of science in their lives. The first goal of this textbook is to present the important concepts of human anatomy, physiology, development, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Then, after thoroughly explaining the basic concepts, we apply them in ways that will both interest and benefit the student. For example, a discussion of Alzheimer's disease, depression, and Parkinson's disease follows an explanation of neurotransmitters. When the content is relevant, it gives students a reason to want to learn the information. The chapters on organ systems explain how a healthy system functions, how that system might malfunction, measures to avoid a malfunction, and what current medicine can offer when systems are compromised or fail. Topics that students are likely to encounter in the media on an almost daily basis--smoking, contraception, STDs, cancer, bioterrorism, antibiotic-resistant bacteria--will help students make connections between real-life and classroom activities. Connections between concepts and environmental issues will help students develop a global perspective about environmental issues. This text answers some very practical questions, including: What type of exercise benefits the heart? How does someone cope with insomnia? How does one protect against unwanted pregnancy and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases? Each of us enters this world with a most intricate machine--our body--but we do not come equipped with an owner's manual. In a sense, this book can be the student's owner's manual. Understanding the information in it and applying it to our own lifestyles and health choices can help each of us live longer, happier, and more productive lives. The second goal is to help students develop reasoning skills, so they can use the information in situations they face every day in life. Woven throughout each chapter are "stop and think" questions that ask students to apply information to a new situation. When a topic or issue is controversial, the discussion presents both sides of the argument, together with the supporting evidence. Scattered throughout each chapter are "what would you do?" questions that ask the student's opinion or challenge the student to take a stand on a particular issue as well as to identify the criteria used in reaching that decision. These questions foster the practice of thinking through issues, examining the information available, and making; decisions based on that information. Additional critical-thinking; questions reside on the Companion Web Site. The third goal is to help students understand how the choices they make can affect the quality of life for themselves, society, and the planet. The material learned in the textbook or during lecture often bears on social or environmental issues that are important to us all. This text will help you, as the instructor, heighten students' awareness of their impact on the biosphere and prepare students to be responsible citizens and voters. Society is currently grappling with many pressing biological issues--the cloning of human cells, stem cell research, genetically modified foods, gene therapy, organ transplants, defining death, dealing with bioterrorism, and preventing and treatingGoodenough, Judith A. is the author of 'Biology of Humans Concepts, Applications, and Issues', published 2004 under ISBN 9780130460202 and ISBN 0130460206.