An all-inclusive catalogue of the world's living diversity, Five Kingdoms defines and describes the major divisions, or phyla, of nature's five great kingdoms - bacteria, protoctists, animals, fungi, and plants - using a modern classification scheme that is consistent with both the fossil record and molecular data. Generously illustrated and remarkably easy to follow, it not only allows readers to sample the full range of life forms inhabiting our planet but to familiarize themselves with the taxonomic theories by which all organisms' origins and distinctive characteristics are traced and classified.

Now published by Academic Press and revised from the author's previous Five Kingdoms Third edition, this extraordinary, all inclusive catalogue of the world's living organisms describes the diversity of the major groups, or phyla, of nature's most inclusive taxa. Developed after consultation with specialists, this modern classification scheme is consistent both with the fossil record and with recent molecular, morphological and metabolic data. Generously illustrated, now in full color, Kingdoms and Domains is remarkably easy to read. It accesses the full range of life forms that still inhabit our planet and logically and explicitly classifies them according to their evolutionary relationships. Definitive characteristics of each phylum are professionally described in ways that, unlike most scientific literature, profoundly respect the needs of educators, students and nature lovers. This work is meant to be of interest to all evolutionists as well as to conservationists, ecologists, genomicists, geographers, microbiologists, museum curators, oceanographers, paleontologists and especially nature lovers whether artists, gardeners or environmental activists.Kingdoms and Domains is a unique and indispensable reference for anyone intrigued by a planetary phenomenon: the spectacular diversity of life, both microscopic and macroscopic, as we know it only on Earth today. - New Foreword by Edward O. Wilson - The latest concepts of molecular systematics, symbiogenesis, and the evolutionary importance of microbes - Newly expanded chapter openings that define each kingdom and place its members in context in geological time and ecological space - Definitions of terms in the glossary and throughout the book - Ecostrips, illustrations that place organisms in their most likely environments such as deep sea vents, tropical forests, deserts or hot sulfur springs - A new table that compares features of the most inclusive taxa - Application of a logical, authoritative, inclusive and coherent overall classification scheme based on evolutionary principles

The interdisciplinary field of Astrobiology constitutes a joint arena where provocative discoveries are coalescing concerning, e.g. the prevalence of exoplanets, the diversity and hardiness of life, and its increasingly likely chances for its emergence. Biologists, astrophysicists, biochemists, geoscientists and space scientists share this exciting mission of revealing the origin and commonality of life in the Universe. The members of the different disciplines are used to their own terminology and technical language. In the interdisciplinary environment many terms either have redundant meanings or are completely unfamiliar to members of other disciplines. The Encyclopedia of Astrobiology serves as the key to a common understanding. Each new or experienced researcher and graduate student in adjacent fields of astrobiology will appreciate this reference work in the quest to understand the big picture. The carefully selected group of active researchers contributing to this work and the expert field editors intend for their contributions, from an internationally comprehensive perspective, to accelerate the interdisciplinary advance of astrobiology.

Explores the appearance, characteristics, and behavior of protists and fungi, lifeforms which are neither plants nor animals, using specific examples such as algae, mold, and mushrooms.

Black & white print. Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.

Helicases are ubiquitous enzymes found throughout evolution. Research in the helicase field has been going on for a long time now but in recent past with the completion of so many genomes, these enzymes have been discovered in a number of organisms. But the available literature is scattered. The huge number of identified DNA and RNA helicases, along with the structural and functional differences among them, make difficult for the interested scholar to grasp a comprehensive view of the field. Helicases from all Domains of Life is the first book to compile information about helicases from many different organisms in one place. Knowledge of the functions and features of helicases across the different kingdoms of life are a valuable source of novel ideas and information The book begins with a chapter on the evolutionary history of helicases followed by three "overview" chapters: one for bacteria/archaea (which are not mentioned), one for plants/algae and one for human helicases The overview chapters are followed by specific chapters on selected helicases of great importance from a biological/applicative point of view

Kingdoms and Warfare, the sequel to Strongholds & Followers, is a 5th edition supplement that introduces Domain-level play to your game, allowing players to become Regents running a Kingdom, Duchy, or Barony! Or a Church! A Thieves' Guild! A Bard's College! Whichever you choose, it's your Domain. Your domain can take actions, raise armies, conduct espionage, and wage war! Kingdoms and Warfare also adds mechanics for player Titles for several different organizations. Titles give your characters new, limited abilities and proficiencies that let them shore up the deficiencies of a limited-class party. Expanded rules for Warfare allowing faster, more balanced battles, more and different kinds of units. New Maneuvers allow characters to directly command their units, executing daring ploys that can change the course of war! New rules for the Tide of Battle create a connection between the Encounter your characters are fighting and the Battle your units are waging. New rules for using PCs and monsters as units, as well as more advice for building an army and waging war. The rules for Warfare in Strongholds & Followers are only the beginning of a more robust system.Any book of new rules as big as this requires an adventure to show you how to use it. The Regent of Bedegar acts as a sequel to the Siege of Castle Rend and introduces players to Domain Level play. The heroes manage their new domain, putting out fires in Gravesford and other local towns while encountering various organizations in Aendrim, some friendly, some not so much.

Every new copy of the print book includes access code to Student Companion Website!The Tenth Edition of Jeffrey Pommerville's best-selling, award-winning classic text Fundamentals of Microbiology provides nursing and allied health students with a firm foundation in microbiology. Updated to reflect the Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Microbiology as recommended by the American Society of Microbiology, the fully revised tenth edition includes all-new pedagogical features and the most current research data. This edition incorporates updates on infectious disease and the human microbiome, a revised discussion of the immune system, and an expanded Learning Design Concept feature that challenges students to develop critical-thinking skills.Accesible enough for introductory students and comprehensive enough for more advanced learners, Fundamentals of Microbiology encourages students to synthesize information, think deeply, and develop a broad toolset for analysis and research. Real-life examples, actual published experiments, and engaging figures and tables ensure student success. The texts's design allows students to self-evaluate and build a solid platform of investigative skills. Enjoyable, lively, and challenging, Fundamentals of Microbiology is an essential text for students in the health sciences.New to the fully revised and updated Tenth Edition:-New Investigating the Microbial World feature in each chapter encourages students to participate in the scientific investigation process and challenges them to apply the process of science and quantitative reasoning through related actual experiments.-All-new or updated discussions of the human microbiome, infectious diseases, the immune system, and evolution-Redesigned and updated figures and tables increase clarity and student understanding-Includes new and revised critical thinking exercises included in the end-of-chapter material-Incorporates updated and new MicroFocus and MicroInquiry boxes, and Textbook Cases-The Companion Website includes a wealth of study aids and learning tools, including new interactive animations**Companion Website access is not included with ebook offerings.

The Third Domain is the untold story of how the discovery of a new form of life-first ridiculed, then ignored for the past thirty years by mainstream scientists-is revolutionizing science, industry, and even our search for extraterrestrial life. Classification is a serious issue for science: if you don't know what you're looking at, how can you interpret what you see? Starting with Carolus Linnaeus in the 17th century, scientists have long struggled to order and categorize the many forms of life on Earth. But by the early 20th century the tree of life seemed to have stabilized, with two main domains of life at its roots: single-celled and multi-celled organisms. All creatures fit into one of these two groups. Or so we thought. But in 1977, a lone scientist named Carl Woese determined that archaea-biochemically and genetically unique organisms that live and thrive in some of the most inhospitable environments on Earth-were a distinct form of life, unlike anything seen on Earth before. This shocking discovery was entirely incompatible with the long-standing classification of life as we know it. But as it turned out, archaea were not life as we know it, and the tree of life had to be uprooted once again. Now, archaea are being hailed as one of the most important scientific revelations of the 20th century. The Third Domain tells the story of their strange potential and investigates their incredible history to provide a riveting account of an astonishing discovery.