Book Description

A lab manual designed for non-science majors; this book offers a genetics-based, one semester lab course in the life sciences. Activities include: the scientific process, blood pressure, pulse, reflexes, sensations, genetics and pedigrees, DNA typing (PCR), sexually transmitted infections, cell division, evolution and genetic drift. Emphasis is placed on data collection and analysis, problem solving, and the development of critical thinking skills. Numerous full color photos are throughout the lab manual assist students in performing various lab activities and understanding content. The emphasis in this course is on humans as they provide readily available "subjects" to study in the lab. However, the concepts presented in these lab activities apply to all living organisms.A unique aspect to this lab manual is the integration of "Lab and Your Life" sections in each chapter, which apply content under study to the "real world" outside the classroom. Many of these topics are disease-related, but there are others which are not associated with disease yet still have significance in the lives of many individuals. These sections often provide the answers to the "So What?, Who Cares?, or Why is this important?" questions students often ask themselves (or others). Additionally, most chapters begin with someone's personal life "story" which is related in some way to the content in the course. All of these stories are true; most were actually written by the individuals who actually experienced the events described, and they put a more personal "spin" on the topics discussed.Each chapter has clearly written lab activities, including step by step instructions, diagrams, and background content needed to allow students to fully understand the concepts explored in lab, without an accompanying lecture course. Activities encourage hands-on exploration and active learning, and link the lab content to life "outside the lab." The book has full color art and integrated tear out review pages in each chapter. Many of these assignments require application of content and are designed to stimulate critical thinking skills and creative problem solving. 277 pages