Biological Evolution An Introduction

About this book

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. Biological Evolution: An Introduction 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.

Contents

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

Customer Reviews

Biography

Mike Cassidy is a Teaching Fellow in the School of Education at the University of Durham. He has taught in schools, colleges and universities, and has co-authored advanced level biology textbooks. He has worked extensively with the Royal Society of Biology and is a Fellow both of that society and the Linnaean Society.