Key Benefit:For non-majors and mixed-majors introductory botany (plant biology) courses. Plant Biologyfocuses readers on the function of plants and the role they play in our world. With evolved content and a new organization, the authors emphasize the scientific method to help readers develop the critical thinking skills they need to make sound decisions throughout life. Together, the emphasis on how plants work and the development of critical-thinking skills support the authorsrs" goal of fostering scientific literacy. Key Topics:Introduction to Plant Biology, Plants and People, Molecules and Plants, Cells, Photosynthesis and Respiration, DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis, Cell Division: Mitosis and Cytokinesis, Plant Structure, Growth, and Development, Stems, Roots, Leaves, Plant Behavior, Reproduction, Meiosis, and Life Cycles, Genetics and the Laws of Inheritance, Genetic Engineering, Biological Evolution, Naming and Organizing Microbes, Viruses, and Plants, Prokaryotes and the Origin of Life, Protists and the Origin of Eukaryotic Cells, Fungi and Lichens, Seedless Plants: Bryophytes, Lycophytes, and Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms and the Origin of Seeds, Angiosperm Reproduction: Flowers, Fruits, and Seeds, Flowering Plant and Animal Coevolution: Pollination and Seed Dispersal, Principles of Ecology and the Biosphere, Arid Terrestrial Ecosystems, Moist Terrestrial Ecosystems, Aquatic Ecosystems, Human Impacts and Sustainability Market Description:For those interested in learning the basics of plant biology