Orme, N: Biology for the Beginner

In this book we will strive to meet nine goals: First we will define life. What characteristics does an organism have to posses to be alive? Then we will look at the smallest unit of life: the cell. What does it look like? Where does it come from? What is it made of and how does it work? How does it differentiate into an adult? How does it produce special substances? And why does it eventually die? Then we will discuss anatomy and physiology. What organ systems do higher life forms possess and how do they work? We will discuss genetics. How do living things inherit characteristics from the parents, and how do they adapt and evolve? We will discuss some of the medical conditions that affect higher life forms. And what they need from their environment. Finally we will discuss the unique gifts that living organisms posses. I hope you find this to be as enjoyable as I did.