Evolution
Making Sense of Life
by Douglas J. Emlen, Carl Zimmer
3rd Edition
Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company
Book Details
| Print ISBN | 9781319079864 |
| eText ISBN | 9781319230937 |
| Publisher | W.H. Freeman & Company |
| Publishing Year | 2020 |
| Edition | 3rd Edition |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 816 |
Understanding the natural world requires a robust conceptual framework that seamlessly connects the microscopic processes of molecular genetics to the vast, multi-million-year history of life on Earth. Evolution 3rd Edition delivers this exact synthesis, offering an unparalleled gateway into the mechanisms driving biological diversity and adaptation. By combining rigorous scientific inquiry with contemporary discoveries, this textbook addresses the critical need for modern biology majors to grasp how evolutionary forces shape everything from viral mutations to complex mammalian anatomy. In an era marked by rapid ecological shifts, emerging pathogens, and global biodiversity crises, mastering these foundational concepts is more vital to scientific literacy than ever before.
Co-authored by a premier evolutionary biologist and an award-winning science journalist, the text successfully bridges the gap between technical academic complexity and engaging, narrative-driven storytelling. The comprehensive scope spans the entire history of evolutionary thought, tracing the intellectual path from early geological discoveries to cutting-edge modern genomic analyses. Readers are guided through core concepts such as natural selection, genetic drift, quantitative genetics, macroevolution, and speciation. By exploring how species adapt to one another through coevolution and how complex genetic networks develop, the authors present a cohesive and vibrant view of life's interconnectedness across evolutionary time, making difficult concepts highly intuitive.
Designed specifically for undergraduate biology classrooms, Evolution 3rd Edition stands out for its immersive pedagogical features, including real-world profiles of researchers working in diverse environments from tropical rainforests to clinical wards. This edition introduces enhanced digital support through interactive homework systems and updated case studies, making it a favorite among instructors seeking to foster active learning, scientific literacy, and critical thinking. For students looking to access these comprehensive resources on their digital devices, the Evolution 3rd Edition PDF version provides a flexible, highly portable alternative that ensures they can study key concepts and prepare for exams anytime, anywhere. This integration of media and text helps students visualize evolutionary trees and genetic drift in ways that traditional print media simply cannot match.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Whale and the Virus
- • Cetacean Transition to Water
- • Viral Mutation and Reassortment
- • The Nature of Science
Chapter 2: From Natural Philosophy to Darwin: A Brief History of Evolutionary Ideas
- • Pre-Darwinian Views
- • Charles Darwin and Natural Selection
- • The Modern Synthesis
Chapter 3: What the Rocks Say: How Geology and Paleontology Reveal the History of Life
- • Fossilization Processes
- • Radiometric Dating Techniques
- • The Chronology of Life
Chapter 4: The Tree of Life: How Biologists Use Phylogeny to Reconstruct the Deep Past
- • Reading Phylogenetic Trees
- • Reconstructing Phylogenies
- • Homology and Analogy
Chapter 5: Raw Material: Heritable Variation Among Individuals
- • DNA Mutations and Structure
- • Meiosis and Recombination
- • Phenotypic Plasticity
Chapter 6: The Ways of Change: Drift and Selection
- • Genetic Drift and Bottlenecks
- • Natural Selection and Adaptation
- • Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Chapter 7: Beyond Alleles: Quantitative Genetics and the Evolution of Phenotypes
- • Polygenic Traits
- • Heritability and Selection Differential
- • Genome-Wide Association Studies
Chapter 8: The History in Our Genes
- • Gene Trees and Species Trees
- • Coalescence Theory
- • Molecular Phylogenetics
Chapter 9: From Genes to Traits: The Evolution of Genetic Networks and Development
- • Evo-Devo and Hox Genes
- • Gene Duplication and Recruitment
- • Developmental Constraints
Chapter 10: Natural Selection: Empirical Studies in the Wild
- • Darwin's Finches
- • Predation and Guppy Evolution
- • Evolution of Lactase Persistence
Chapter 11: Sex: Causes and Consequences
- • Evolution of Sexual Reproduction
- • Sexual Selection and Mate Choice
- • Intrasexual Competition
Chapter 12: After Conception: The Evolution of Life History and Parental Care
- • Life History Trade-offs
- • Parent-Offspring Conflict
- • Senescence and Aging
Chapter 13: The Origin of Species
- • Biological Species Concept
- • Allopatric and Sympatric Speciation
- • Reproductive Barriers
Chapter 14: Macroevolution: The Long Run
- • Biogeography and Adaptive Radiation
- • Rates of Evolutionary Change
- • Mass Extinctions
Chapter 15: Intimate Partnerships: How Species Adapt to Each Other
- • Coevolutionary Arms Races
- • Mutualism and Symbiosis
- • Cospeciation
Chapter 16: Brains and Behavior
- • Evolution of Nervous Systems
- • Behavioral Genetics
- • Social Behavior and Altruism
Chapter 17: Human Evolution: A New Kind of Ape
- • Hominin Fossil Record
- • Out of Africa Hypothesis
- • Modern Human Adaptations
Chapter 18: Evolutionary Medicine
- • Pathogen Evolution and Resistance
- • Genetic Diseases and Trade-offs
- • The Hygiene Hypothesis
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▶Research Sources (14)
- Evolution, 4th Edition | Macmillan Learning US
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