Biological Evolution
An Introduction

A comprehensive and cohesive account of the evolution story, written for undergraduate students from a variety of biological disciplines.

Mike Cassidy (Author)

9780521012058, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 19 November 2020

278 pages
24.3 x 17 x 1.3 cm, 0.57 kg

'… it will inspire its audience to pursue further study of biological evolution remains uncertain … Recommended.' P. K. Strother, Choice

Biological evolution, the theory of natural selection and of common descent, is a triumph both of human reasoning and scientific undertaking. The biological discipline of evolution contains both a chronicle of human endeavour and the story of life on Earth. This book is concerned with living forms and how they developed from 'simple and unpromising beginnings'. It considers evolution as both process and product. The author, an experienced teacher and educator, employs a historical narrative, used to convey the idea of 'change with modification' and to emphasise the relevance of evolution to contemporary bioscience. Biological evolution has now become part of the scientific orthodoxy and this accessible text will assist undergraduate students in the biological sciences within any ongoing debate.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Biological evolution: the beginnings of the story
2. Reviewing the evidence for evolution
3. Genetic variation within populations
4. Natural selection and adaptive change
5. Evolution and development
6. The origins of biodiversity
7. Taxonomy and the diversity of life
8. The history and origins of life on Earth
9. Molecules and evolution
10. Human evolution
11. Trends and patterns in evolution
12. Questions, debate and controversy
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Palaeontology [RBX], Evolution [PSAJ], Life sciences: general issues [PSA], Biology, life sciences [PS]