Emergent Properties of Individual Organisms

Emergent Properties of Individual Organisms PDF

Author: Christopher J. Paradise

Publisher: Momentum Press

Published: 2016-04-27

Total Pages: 100

ISBN-13: 1606509640

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book begins by describing what an individual organism is, comparing preconceptions of the individual to non-standard ways of thinking about individuals. Variation in what individuals are is described, using giant fungi, clonal trees and honey bee hives as examples. Individuals are thus shown to be emergent properties. Other emergent properties of individuals are also described. Classic experiments that elucidated the source of emotions in humans and other mammals are described. Emotions arise from the actions of the nervous and endocrine system and often include a variety of signals given to other individuals of the same or different species. In particular, this book focuses on fear and anger, two emotions that are closely related and often confused, but that have been well studied. In one final example of emergent properties of individuals, cooperative behavior is analyzed. The behaviors displayed by individuals that facilitate cooperation among individuals and why those individuals may actually cooperate instead of compete when acquiring resources or defending against predators are discussed.

Concepts of Biology

Concepts of Biology PDF

Author: Samantha Fowler

Publisher:

Published: 2018-01-07

Total Pages: 618

ISBN-13: 9789888407453

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Concepts of Biology is designed for the single-semester introduction to biology course for non-science majors, which for many students is their only college-level science course. As such, this course represents an important opportunity for students to develop the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to make informed decisions as they continue with their lives. Rather than being mired down with facts and vocabulary, the typical non-science major student needs information presented in a way that is easy to read and understand. Even more importantly, the content should be meaningful. Students do much better when they understand why biology is relevant to their everyday lives. For these reasons, Concepts of Biology is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand.We also strive to show the interconnectedness of topics within this extremely broad discipline. In order to meet the needs of today's instructors and students, we maintain the overall organization and coverage found in most syllabi for this course. A strength of Concepts of Biology is that instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Concepts of Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand--and apply--key concepts.

Human Ecology

Human Ecology PDF

Author: Gerald G Marten

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2010-09-23

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 1136535012

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

'The scope and clarity of this book make it accessible and informative to a wide readership. Its messages should be an essential component of the education for all students from secondary school to university... [It] provides a clear and comprehensible account of concepts that can be applied in our individual and collective lives to pursue the promising and secure future to which we all aspire' From the Foreword by Maurice Strong, Chairman of the Earth Council and former Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) The most important questions of the future will turn on the relationship between human societies and the natural ecosystems on which we all, in the end, depend. The interactions and interdependencies of the social and natural worlds are the focus of growing attention from a wide range of environmental, social and life sciences. Understanding them is critical to achieving the balance involved in sustainable development. Human Ecology: Basic Concepts for Sustainable Development presents an extremely clear and accessible account of this complex range of issues and of the concepts and tools required to understand and tackle them. Extensively supported by graphics and detailed examples, this book makes an excellent introduction for students at all levels, and for general readers wanting to know why and how to respond to the dilemmas we face.

Biology for AP ® Courses

Biology for AP ® Courses PDF

Author: Julianne Zedalis

Publisher:

Published: 2017-10-16

Total Pages: 1923

ISBN-13: 9781947172401

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Biology for AP® courses covers the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester Advanced Placement® biology course. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology for AP® Courses was designed to meet and exceed the requirements of the College Board’s AP® Biology framework while allowing significant flexibility for instructors. Each section of the book includes an introduction based on the AP® curriculum and includes rich features that engage students in scientific practice and AP® test preparation; it also highlights careers and research opportunities in biological sciences.

Evolution and Individuality; Beyond the Genetically Homogeneous Organism

Evolution and Individuality; Beyond the Genetically Homogeneous Organism PDF

Author: Henry Joseph Folse (III.)

Publisher: Stanford University

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 147

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

In the first chapter, we argue that an individual organism ought not to be defined in terms of genetic homogeneity, but rather by the evolutionary criteria of the alignment of fitness interests, the export of fitness due to interdependence for survival and reproduction, and adaptive functional organization. We consider how these concepts apply to various putative individual organisms, review the costs and benefits of intraorganismal genetic heterogeneity, and demonstrate that high relatedness is neither necessary nor sufficient for individuality. In the second chapter, we model the benefits and costs of genetic mosaicism for a long-lived tree in coevolution with a short-lived pest. We demonstrate benefits of mosaicism for trees at both the individual and population levels when somatic mutation introduces new defenses. In the third chapter, we develop a game theoretic model of the decision to reject or fuse with a potential partner in a colonial ascidian, based on weighing costs and benefits of fusion. We find that once fused, the interactions between cell lineages are cooperative in the soma, but competitive in the germline.

Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science VI

Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science VI PDF

Author: J.J. Cohen

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2011-10-10

Total Pages: 871

ISBN-13: 0080960308

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science VI presents the results of recent research into the foundations of science. The volume contains invited papers presented at the Congress, covering the areas of Logic, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences and the Humanities.

Systematics and the Fossil Record

Systematics and the Fossil Record PDF

Author: Andrew B. Smith

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2009-07-15

Total Pages: 233

ISBN-13: 1444313908

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This new text sets out to establish the key role played by systematics in deciphering patterns of evolution from the fossil record. It begins by considering the nature of the species in the fossil record and then outlines recent advances in the methodology used to establish phylogenetics relationships, stressing why fossil evidence can be crucial. The way species are grouped into higher taxa, and how this affects their utility in evolutionary studies is also discussed. Because the fossil record abounds with sampling and preservational biases, the book emphasizes that observed patterns can rarely be taken at face value. It is argued that evolutionary trees, constructed from combining phylogenetic and biostratigraphic data, provide the best approach for investigating patterns of evolution through geologic time. The only integrated text covering the study of evolutionary patterns from a phylogenetic stance.

Mathematics and 21st Century Biology

Mathematics and 21st Century Biology PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2005-07-16

Total Pages: 163

ISBN-13: 0309095840

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The exponentially increasing amounts of biological data along with comparable advances in computing power are making possible the construction of quantitative, predictive biological systems models. This development could revolutionize those biology-based fields of science. To assist this transformation, the U.S. Department of Energy asked the National Research Council to recommend mathematical research activities to enable more effective use of the large amounts of existing genomic information and the structural and functional genomic information being created. The resulting study is a broad, scientifically based view of the opportunities lying at the mathematical science and biology interface. The book provides a review of past successes, an examination of opportunities at the various levels of biological systemsâ€" from molecules to ecosystemsâ€"an analysis of cross-cutting themes, and a set of recommendations to advance the mathematics-biology connection that are applicable to all agencies funding research in this area.

What the Philosophy of Biology Is

What the Philosophy of Biology Is PDF

Author: M. Ruse

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 337

ISBN-13: 9400911696

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Philosophers of science frequently bemoan (or cheer) the fact that today, with the supposed collapse of logical empiricism, there are now ;;10 grand systems. However, although this mayor may not be true, and if true mayor may not be a cause for delight, no one should conclude that the philosophy of science has ground to a halt, its problems exhausted and its practioners dispirited. In fact, in this post Kuhnian age the subject has never been more alive, as we work with enthusiasm on special topics, historical and conceptual. And no topic has grown and thrived quite like the philosophy of biology, which now has many students in the field producing high-quality articles and monographs. The success of this subject is due above all to the work and influence of one man: David Hull. In his own writings and in the support he has given to others, he has shown true leadership, in the best Platonic sense. It is now twenty years since Hull fnt gave his seminal paper 'What the philosophy of biology is not', and to mark that point and to show our respect, gratitude and affection to its author, a number of us who owe much to Hull decided to produce a volume of essays on and around themes to which Hull has spoken.

Causes of Evolution

Causes of Evolution PDF

Author: Robert M. Ross

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 1990-12-18

Total Pages: 496

ISBN-13: 0226728242

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

By studying evolution across geological time, paleontologists gain a perspective that sometimes complements and sometimes conflicts with views based solely on studies of extant species. The contributors to Causes of Evolution consider whether factors exerting major influences on evolution are biotic or abiotic, intrinsic or extrinsic. Causes of Evolution presents a broad sampling of paleontological research programs encompassing vertebrates, invertebrates, and vascular plants; empirical work and theoretical models; organisms ranging in age from Cambrian to Recent; and temporal scales from ecological time to hundreds of millions of years. The diverse array of research styles and opinions presented will acquaint scientists in related fields with the strengths and weaknesses of paleontology as an approach to evolutionary studies and will give evolutionary biologists of every stripe new bases for evaluating the scope and bias of their own work.