Plant Biology (with InfoTrac) (Available Titles Cengagenow Available Titles Cengagenow) [Hardcover]

Thomas L. Rost (Author), Michael G. Barbour (Author), C. Ralph Stocking (Author), Terence M. Murphy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0534380611 | ISBN-13: 978-0534380618 | Publication Date: March 15, 2005 | Edition: 2

PLANT BIOLOGY, Second Edition provides a complete introduction to the science of plants, combining the most current, real-world examples with information on plant biodiversity and ecology, including topics like biotechnology, economic botany, and plant/human interactions. PLANT BIOLOGY begins with elements of botany that are most familiar to students: the structure, function, reproduction, physiology, and genetics of flowering plants. The evolutionary survey is then presented, with detail on the Prokaryotes, Protists, Fungi, Bryophytes, early Tracheophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms. The overall sequence of subjects builds from metabolism and plant function to reproduction, then from simpler to more advanced organisms, concluding with two ecological chapters. Each chapter has been written in a modular fashion, however, to allow them to be taught in any order. In this new edition, the biodiversity chapters provide the best-supported, most current phylogenetic view of the organisms. Cladistics are introduced along with basic information, including gene sequences, followed by modern studies using cladistics and sequence information to identify natural plant groupings. Through this presentation, students can appreciate different types of evidence that describe the past events and directions of evolution. Ecology is another exciting area of study for the introductory student. Can photosynthesis by plants ease problems associated with the burning of fossil fuels? Can we stem biodiversity loss through better ecosystem management? Questions like these are addressed, making the text topical, readable, and a useful guide, all the while maintaining the length and language appropriate for beginning biology students.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 603 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 2 edition (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534380611
• ISBN-13: 978-0534380618
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, December 11, 2007

By 

Katie R. (Milwaukee, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plant Biology (with InfoTrac) (Available Titles Cengagenow Available Titles Cengagenow) (Hardcover)

This book was extremely useful in my plant science class. The prof. taught from it and the images inside are great. Everything is well laid out and I like the chapter summaries and information. This book was expensive, but for me it was worth it!

3.0 out of 5 stars Plant Biology (with InfoTrac), February 28, 2011

By 

Almond Rocha - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plant Biology (with InfoTrac) (Available Titles Cengagenow Available Titles Cengagenow) (Hardcover)

Item arrived on time, a little more beat up than I expected but still useable. I wish that I had known that the InfoTrac was just a code, I almost complained to the seller.Plant Biology (with InfoTrac )

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple read, informative, February 3, 2009

By 

L. Taylor - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plant Biology (with InfoTrac) (Available Titles Cengagenow Available Titles Cengagenow) (Hardcover)

This book is written in a very clear style so that students of all ages can understand it. I used this book for a college level plant biology class, but I could see people using it as early as middle school for an introduction to botany. It may not be worth the price if you're just buying the book for leisure reading, but remember that you're paying for a textbook.