Biology for Dummies

by Donna Rae Siegfried

Book Overview

Ever wondered how the food you eat becomes the energy your body needs to keep going? If DNA is a set of instructions in your cells, how does it tell your cells what to do? How does your brain know what your feet are doing? The theory of evolution says that humans and chimps descended from a common ancestor, but does it tell us how and why? We humans are insatiably curious creatures who can't help wondering how things work - starting with our own bodies. Wouldn't it be great to have a single source of quick answers to all our questions about how living things work? Now there is. From molecules to animals, cells to ecosystems, Biology For Dummies answers all your questions about how living things work. Written in plain English and packed with dozens of illustrations, quick-reference "Cheat Sheets" and helpful tables and diagrams, it can get you quickly up to speed on what you need to know to: Understand how cells work Ge t a handle on the chemi stry of life Find out how food becomes energy Get to know your body's systems Decode the secrets of DNA Find out what evolution is and isn't and how it works Take a peek into the lives of bacteria Explore how viruses do their thing Most basic biology books take a very round about approach, dividing things up according to different types of organisms. Biology For Dummies cuts right to the chase with fast-paced, easy-to-absorb explanations of the life processes common to all organisms. Topics covered include: How plants and animals get nutrients How organisms transport nutrients and expel waste How nutrients are transformed into energy How energy is used to sustain life How organisms breathe How organisms reproduce How organisms evolve into new life-forms How organisms create ecosystems With this engaging guide in your corner, you'll get a grip on complex biology concepts and unlock the mysteries of how life works in no time - no advanced degrees required.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764553267
• ISBN13: 9780764553264
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Interestingly good read

I wholeheartedly recommend the Biology for Dummies book to everyday people or prospective students in the subject matter. It provides a good review of biology down to the cells and the beginning of life continuing to the inner workings of the human body. I admit that I have not completed the book yet. It can be complex such as the Krebs cycle but keeps me interested enough to want to know more. My boyfriend, a self-proclaimed geek, is facinated with the details on life. We both enjoy learning about it through this book.

love the "dummy" book style

I am enjoying this book very much. It's a good refresher for me, and I bet it would be a great study guide for begining bio majors!!

A good book for making biology easier.

I found this book easier to understand then my regular required college biology textbook. Chapters on evolution and ecosystems were very interesting to me. I also would reference this book when I came across a hard topic in my college bio textbook. Donna Rae Siegfried does a good job of explaining hard topics into simplier forms to understand. I also highly recommend The Ultimate Study Guide for Biology: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations Volume 1 isbn;1933023007 Volume 2 isbn;1933023015 Volume 3 isbn;1933023023 These three books were so good for helping know the type of questions to get ready for in my college biology I and II tests. These four books were a definite assets to helping me get very good grades in my biology classes.

Wow! Great review of core bio and chemistry concepts...

Donna does an awesome job of reviewing/explaining every concept from biology that I could think of. I took 2 bio college courses years ago and am going back to school and will be taking some advanced biology courses. I think I now understand the primary concepts better than I did while I was enrolled in the bio courses. I would recommend it.