Mader/Inquiry into Life, 9/e

Preface

Inquiry into Life is written for the introductory-level student who would like to develop a working knowledge of biology. While the text covers the whole field of general biology, it emphasizes the application of this knowledge to human concerns. Along with this approach concepts and principles are stressed, rather than detailed, high-level scientific data and terminology. Each chapter presents the topic clearly, simply, and distinctly so that students can achieve a thorough understanding of basic biology.

Major Themes

As with previous editions, the central theme of Inquiry into Life is understanding the workings of the human body and how humans fit into the world of living things. In keeping with this emphasis "Health Focus" readings review procedures and technology that can contribute to our well being and "Ecology Focus" readings show how the concepts of the chapter can be applied to ecological concerns. Concerned citizens need to realize that human beings are a part of a great, interrelated network called the biosphere.

Unlike any previous edition, Inquiry into Life now stresses the scientific process. This new emphasis is accomplished in several ways: The introductory chapter begins with an expanded explanation of the scientific process. Throughout the text, the part opening pages mention historical contributors to the concepts of that part. "Science Focus" readings describe more specifically the experiments and observations of modern biologists who have developed our present understanding of biological principles. For example, there is a "Science Focus" reading outlining the contributions of Susumu Tonegawa to our knowledge of immunity and another that describes the contributions of many neurologists to the expanding field of memory and learning. The end matter of each chapter contains Thinking Scientifically questions that ask students to reason as scientists do.

Bioethical Issues

This edition of Inquiry into Life also asks students to apply the concepts to the many and varied perplexing bioethical issues that face us every day. Each chapter ends with a description of a modern situation that calls for a value judgement on the part of the reader. Students are challenged to develop a point of view by answering a series of questions that pertain to the issue. The myriad of issues considered include genetic disease testing, human cloning, AIDS vaccine trials, animal rights, responsibility for one's health, and fetal research.

Vibrant, New Illustration Program

Almost every illustration in Inquiry into Life is new or has been revised to better interest students in the exciting world of biology. Students are visually motivated, and the new art program has many features they will find helpful. "Visual Focus" illustrations give a conceptual overview that relates structure to function. Color coordination includes assigning colors to the various classes of organic molecules and to the different human tissues and organs. Icons have been added to the cell, animal, and biosphere chapters to show how a portion relates to a general topic. An increased number of micrographs add realism to depicted structures.

Applications

Educational theory tells us that students are most interested in knowledge of immediate practical application. This text is consistent with and remains true to this approach. Each chapter begins with a short story that applies chapter material to real-life situations. The readings stress applications and so does the running text material. This edition features expanded treatment of such topics as eating disorders, allergies, pulmonary disorders, hepatitis infections, the human genome project, and gene therapy. Some topics such as the cloning of animals, xenotransplantation, and the role of apoptosis in immunity, development, and cancer are new.

New Chapters

A new part entitled Integration and Control of the Human Body contains rewritten chapters. The updated presentation of the nervous system and the senses includes new information on learning and memory. The endocrine system chapter better explains the homeostatic control of blood molecular and ionic levels. This part contains many new illustrations including several that depict the skeleton in greater detail.

The botanical and zoological chapters have been improved. New illustrations explain the cohesion-tension model of xylem transport and the pressure-flow theory of phloem transport. New evolutionary trees and icons are used in the animal diversity chapters. The evolution of humans has been updated.

The ecology chapters have been rewritten to have a modern approach to this important field. Coverage now logically flows from populations to communities to ecosystems. Adverse human influences, such as expanded human population and disruption of normal ecological cycles, are integrated into the general discussion where appropriate.

Pedagogical Features

As before, Inquiry into Life excels in pedagogical features. Each chapter begins with an integrated chapter outline that lists the chapter's concepts according to numbered sections of the chapter. This numbering system is continued in the chapter and summary so that instructors can assign just certain portions of the chapter, if they like. The text is paged so that major sections begin at the top of the page and illustrations are on the same or facing page as its reference. The questions at the end of the chapter are of both the essay and objective type. New to this edition, the objective questions are multiple choice with at least five choices for each one. Thinking Scientifically is a series of new questions that ask students to reason as a scientist does. All the boldfaced terms are listed and page referenced. A matching exercise tests student comprehension of the terms.

Technology

New to this edition, the free Essential Study Partner CD-ROM, accompanies the text. It contains high quality 3-D animations, interactive study activities, illustrated overviews of key topics in the text, and supplementary quizzing and exams that students will find extremely valuable. A CD-ROM icon has been placed throughout each chapter to remind students that this important learning tool can assist them in reviewing the concepts.

The Dynamic Human 2.0, which offers a pictorial review of each human system, has been revised to have greater student appeal. The Mader Home Page also contains interactive exercises to help students master the objectives of each chapter and provides further information on most topics discussed in the chapter.

Acknowledgments

The personnel at McGraw-Hill have always lent their talents to the success of Inquiry into Life. My publisher Michael Lange was always there to offer advice and my editor Patrick Reidy stepped in when needed to encourage us all. Suzanne Guinn, my developmental editor, served as a liaison between me and everyone else on the book team. Suzanne had many creative suggestions and was an inspiration to us all despite the long hours she labored.

Those in production also worked diligently toward the success of this edition. Marilyn Sulzer was the project manager, Jodi Banowetz, the art coordinator, and Lori Hancock was the photo research coordinator. And I especially want to thank Wayne Harms for the beautiful book he designed for all of us to enjoy. Everyone remained cheerful and helpful while going beyond the call of duty.

In my office Evelyn Jo Hebert has consistently provided support through several editions of the text, and Norma Costain's contributions have also made the success of Inquiry ninth edition possible. Kathleen Hagelston has been a wonderful resource for creative and expert input on illustrations through the editions of Inquiry

o The Essential Study Partner CD-ROM tutorial, which supports and enhances the concepts presented, is offered free with the text. A CD-ROM icon is used throughout the chapter to remind students to consult this useful learning tool.

o The scientific process is emphasized, and new to this edition are "Science Focus" readings and end-of-chapter "Thinking Scientifically" questions.

o A bioethical issue is discussed in a featured section at the end of each chapter. Challenging questions are provided that can be used as a basis for class discussion.

o A new illustration program adds vitality to the art and enhances the appeal of the text. Many new micrographs provide realism. "Visual Focus" illustrations give a pictorial overview of key topics. Color coding is used for both molecular structures and for human tissues and organs.

o A cell icon in the cell chapter, evolutionary tree icons in the animal chapters, and a biome map icon in the biosphere chapter help students relate the part to the whole.

o A new part entitled Integration and Control of the Human Body includes updated and rewritten chapters on the nervous system, the senses, the musculoskeletal system, and the endocrine system. The discussion is supported by many new illustrations.

o The ecology chapters have been rewritten to have a modern approach that still includes a discussion of adverse human activities on the biosphere.

o Relevancy of the text is increased with the inclusion or expanded treatment of topics like eating disorders, allergies, pulmonary disorders, hepatitis infections, xenotransplantation, human cloning, the human genome project, and gene therapy to treat cancer.

The Reviewers

Many instructors have contributed not only to this edition of Inquiry into Life but also to previous editions. I am extremely thankful to each one, for they have all worked diligently to remain true to our calling to provide a product that will be the most useful to our students.

In particular, it is appropriate to acknowledge the help of the following individuals for the ninth edition:

Lee Kats
Pepperdine University

Ken Kardong
Washington State University

Dr. John Harley
Eastern Kentucky University

Dr. Jane Aloi-Horlings
Saddleback College

George Spiegel
Mid Plaines Community College

Dr. Jean DeSaux
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

James Smith
California State University

Siu-Lam Lee
University of Massachusetts-Lowell

William Ambrose
Bates College

Dr. Kelly Williams
University of Dayton

Judith Schneidewent
Milwaukee Area Technical College

Janice Greene
Southwest Missouri State University

Lawrence Klotz
State University of New York College at Cortland

Joe Keen
Patrick Hewry Community College

John Capeheart
University of Houston-Downtown

Keith Overbaugh
Northwestern Michigan College

Virginia Naples
Northern Illinois University

Bruce Sundrud
Harrisburg Community College

Barbara Pleasants
Iowa State University

David Constantinos
Savannah State University

Nancy Prentiss
University of Maine at Farmington

Mike Lawson
Missouri Southern State College

Eileen Synnott
Bristol Community College

Phillip Eichman
University of Rio Grande

Linda Luck
Clarkson University

Neal McCord
Stephen F. Austin State University

David Hartsell
Phillips College

Catherine McCahill
Dean College

Fred Brock
Baptist Bible College of PA

Matthew McClure
Lamar University at Orange

John Erickson
Ivy Tech State College

Patricia Rugaber
Coastal Georgia Community College

Laszlo Hanzely
Northern Illinois University

Hugh Lefcort
Gonzaga University

Clementine de Angelis
Tarrant County Junior College

Jonathan Christie
Chemeketa Community College

David Cox
Mount Ida College

Gladys Crawford
University of Northern Texas

John Pleasants
Iowa State University

Arthur Jantz
Western Oklahoma State College

Solveig Krumins
Daytona Beach Community College West Campus

Andrea LeSchack
Florida Community College of Jacksonville

Dr. Forbes Davidson
Mesa State College

Charles Wert
Linn-Benton Community College

Gary Adams
Wabash Valley College

Gene Mesco
Savannah State Biology

Michael Westerhaus
Pratt Community College

Susan Smith
Massasoit Community College

Drew Howard
Becker College

J. Philip McLaren
Eastern Nazarene College

Wayne Vian
Central Community College-Grand Island

Lorena Blinn
Michigan State University

Cynthia Bottrell
Scott Community College

Anne Pacitti
Thomas Jefferson University

Dr. Marion Klaus
Northern Wyoming Community College District-Sheridan College

Sandra Horikami
Daytona Beach Community College West Campus

Beth Waters-Earhart
Columbia College

Anne Marie Helmenstine
Tusculum College

Elissa Ditto
Red Rocks Community College

Philip Nelson
Barstow College

Donald Hardy
Crown College

Maralyn Renner
College of the Redwoods

Randall Harris
William Carey College

Nan Perigo
Williamette University

Paul Boyer
University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Diane Doidge
Grand View College

Sandra Mitchell
Western Wyoming College

Joseph Wahome
Mississippi Valley State University

Dale Lambert
Tarrant County Junior College

Blair McMillian
Madison Area Technical College

Dalia Giedrimiene
Saint Joseph College

Gilbert Anderson
Central Carolina Technical College

Richard Hanke
Rose State College

Dr. Gibril Fadika
Saint Paul's College

Iona Baldridge
Lubbock Christian University

Deborah Hanson
Indiana University-Purdue University

Robert Turner
Western Oregon State College

Nancy Prentiss
University of Maine at Farmington

Venna Sallan
Owensboro Community College

Cherin Lee
University of Northern Iowa

Simon Cheung
Northeastern Illinois University

Mark Secord
Bee County College

Forbes Davidson
Mesa State College

Harry Kurtz
Sam Houston State University

Lori Rose
Sam Houston State University

Jordan Choper
Montgomery College

David Dallas
Northern Oklahoma A&M College

Kathleen Marr
Lakeland College

Dr. Mentor David
Barton County Community College

Amy Wernette
Hazard Community College

Dr. Steven Wheeler
Alvin Community College

Dr. Diane Dixon
Southeastern Oklahoma University

Howard Duncan
Norfolk State University

Back