Graeme D. Ruxton Boeken

A beautifully illustrated exploration of the science behind the awe-inspiring giants of past and present The colossal plants and animals of our world--dinosaurs, whales, and even trees--are a source of unending fascination, and their sheer scale can be truly impressive. Size is integral to the way that organisms experience the world: a puddle that a human being would step over without thinking is an entire world to thousands of microscopic rotifers. But why are creatures the size that they are? Why aren't bugs the size of elephants, or whales the size of goldfish? In this lavishly illustrated new book, biologist Graeme Ruxton explains how and why nature's giants came to be so big--for example, how decreased oxygen levels limited the size of insects and how island isolation allowed small-bodied animals to evolve larger body sizes. Through a diverse array of examples, from huge butterflies to giant squid, Ruxton explores the physics, biology, and evolutionary drivers behind organism size, showing what it's like to live large.

At the core of good research lies the careful design of experiments. However, all too often a successful design comes only after a painful trial-and-error process that wastes valuable time and resources. Now in a new edition, <em>Experimental Design for the Life Sciences</em> teaches today's students how to effectively design experiments, equipping them with the skills they need to become tomorrow's top researchers. Employing a refreshingly approachable and articulate style, the text explains the essential elements of experimental design in clear, practical terms, so that students can grasp and apply even the most challenging concepts, including power analysis and pseudoreplication. In addition, it emphasizes the interrelatedness of experimental design, statistics, and ethical considerations throughout. A broad range of examples--drawn from the primary literature and the authors' extensive personal experience--demonstrate the practical relevance of experimental design in real-life biological research. The only undergraduate text devoted to this topic, <em>Experimental Design for the Life Sciences, </em> Third Edition, demonstrates how good experimental design relies on clear thinking and biological understanding, not on mathematical or statistical complexity. <strong>Pedagogical Features</strong> * Self-test questions, with answers at the end of the book, reinforce essential facts and encourage students to check their understanding as they progress * Take-home messages throughout chapters focus students' attention on the principles that they must master * Coverage of ethical issues, flagged in the margins, raises awareness of this important aspect of the field