Life is CURRENT

• Streamlined and more focused description of electron orbitals

• Additional examples of functional groups and roles in biological molecules

• Additional examples of protein functions

• Reorganization and clearer presentation of the levels of protein structure

• Updated information on the search for evidence of conditions for life outside of Earth

• Discovery of a new organelle, the tannosome, that encloses pigments

• New discussion of substructure and instability of microtubules

• Reorganization of discussion of membrane structure to feature connections with the cytoskeleton inside the cell

• Overview of membrane permeability of various substances

• Further discussion of the roles of receptor agonists and antagonists in human behavior and metabolism

• Clarification of the targets and roles of protein kinases

• Clarification of the chemistry and role of ATP in energy metabolism

• New discussion of ribozymes along with protein enzymes

• Description of the mechanism of aspirin as an example of enzyme inhibition

• New description of feedback inhibition of the purine pathways and its role in arthritis

• Clearer description of electron transport and ATP synthesis, and their role in fat metabolism

• Clarification of the structure and function of photosynthetic reaction centers

• Revised and clarified discussion of DNA packaging into chromosomes

• More emphasis on human genetics (e.g., red hair)

• More examples of problem solving in genetics to clarify concepts

• Clarification of the aspects of DNA structure that allow specific interactions with other molecules

• Clarification of the functions of telomeres and telomerases

• Experimental and genetic evidence for the identification of a human disease-causing mutation and gene (e.g., breast cancer)

• More emphasis on the new field of epigenetics (e.g., behavior)

• Clearer description of the roles of small RNAs in gene regulation

• Consolidated two chapters on development and evolution to a single chapter with focus on molecular and evolutionary aspects

• Coverage of a new and powerful gene modification method: CRISPR

• Emphasis on evolutionary aspects of genome sequencing (e.g., cats)

• Updated information on the human genome sequence

• Reorganization and update of discussion of synthetic biology

• Updated discussion of stem cells and their applications, including veterinary and human medicine

• New Investigating Life thread about the evolution of echolocation, and ways moths have evolved to avoid detection by echolocation

• Updated information about the evolution of Darwin’s finches, as an example of the relationship between speciation and geographic isolation

• Added studies about the evolution of flu viruses, cross-species transfers, and why the 1918 flu epidemic was so severe

• New experiments about the factors that influence the extinction of populations

• Updated studies that clarify the evolution of eukaryotes within the archaeans

• New experiments and information about the communication among bacteria through quorum sensing

• Added experiments and applications about biofuel production from algae

• New experiments and problems about the application of fungal diversity to study environmental change

• Updated information about the phylogeny of animals, and what it tells us about the evolution of nervous systems

• New information and experiments about the evolution of viviparity, and the advantages and disadvantages of viviparity versus oviparity

• Clear illustrated summary of anatomical differences between monocots and dicots

• Experimental evidence for the role of plant vascular tissue in transporting substances in the stem (e.g., cyanogenic glycosides)

• Greater emphasis on the role of mycorrhizae in plant nutrition

• Discussion of the role of apomixis in plant reproduction and its potential applications

• Update on plant diseases and resistance (e.g., wheat rust)

• Description of a previously unrecognized mammalian adaptation for heat loss and the development of a new technology that amplifies that adaptation to improve physical performance

• Graphic description of the neuromuscular coupling extending to the control of Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum

• Investigation of the use of RNAi to prevent hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Fascinating investigations of the capacity of seals to spend most of their time underwater and not breathing

• Exceedingly clear presentations of the mechanisms of membrane potentials, action potentials, conduction of action potentials, and synaptic transmission

• Use of pit viper infrared sensory system to investigate transient receptor potential proteins

• Exciting story of being able to see what a rat thinks—at least in terms of the memory of place

• More attention is given to the importance of scale and multiple levels of organization in ecology. Special emphasis has been placed on global change and the role of humans as part of Earth’s systems

• Inclusion of more quantitative and conceptual material with a focus on visualization (through figures) and active learning (through Work with the Data questions)

• Examples have been diversified; fewer insect examples and more marine, invasive species, and endangered species examples

• New content on the role of ecology in human society and how it differs from environmental science and environmentalism

• New content on the effects of Earth’s topography on physical processes such as temperature inversion, ocean upwelling, and rain shadow effects

• Major revision and reorganization of population growth models and examples, including new material on life table analysis

• New content on disturbance and succession including the concept of alternative stable states

• New content on nutrient cycling at ecosystem and global scales, including decomposition, nutrient transformations, and the causes of climate change

• New content on the mechanisms behind species extinctions including the concept of extinction vortex

• New content on the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss including pollution, overharvesting, invasive species, emerging diseases, and the effects of climate change

• A new format for most activities, designed to better engage the student

• New functionality that reports to the LaunchPad gradebook upon activity completion

• Twelve new simulations on topics such as Macromolecules, Active and Passive Transport, and Natural Selection

• Each simulation is now accompanied by an assignable quiz in LaunchPad

• A new video format that incorporates captions directly into the video

• Each in-book Work with the Data exercise has an online companion exercise in LaunchPad, designed to give students practice with the same analytical skills

• Extensively revised and reformatted

• A thorough primer on active learning in biology

• Includes sections such as:

  • What is active learning?

  • Designing your course for active learning

  • Using active learning in the classroom

  • How to implement Life 11e resources

• Chapter-by-chapter ideas, suggestions, and resources

• Robust modules designed to provide all the support an instructor needs to teach selected topics in an active learning setting

• Each module includes a detailed instructor’s guide, a pre-quiz, a pre-class video, an in-class exercise, a post-quiz, and assessment questions

• All questions aligned to new Learning Outcomes

• A new set of short answer questions in each chapter

• Additional questions at higher Bloom’s Levels

• Expanded question banks for each chapter

• New fill-in-the-blank questions

• Hints added to all questions