Penguin Dictionary of Biology (Eleventh Edition) (Penguin Reference Series)

The Penguin Dictionary of Biology defines some 6,000 terms relating to this rich, complex, and constantly expanding subject-from amino acids, bacteria, and the cell cycle to X-ray diffraction, Ychromosomes, and zygotes. Long established as the definitive single-volume source, the dictionary has now been extensively updated for its eleventh edition. With expanded encyclopedic entries to explain the most crucial concepts, it explores the very latest discoveries and developments, containing more than 400 new entries to take account of the latest thinking on genetics, human physiology, disease, and cell biology. All key botanical and zoological concepts as well as the core vocabulary of biochemistry, immunology, evolutionary theory, and ecology are defined in depth, making this the ideal reference for students, teachers, professionals, and amateur biologists."

Particularly appropriate for college students, this reference defines 6,000 body parts, compounds, organisms, processes, theories, taxonomic categories, and other terms commonly used in the life sciences. The 11th edition adds entries on artificial intelligence and Bayesian statistics, and incorporates recent advances in the human genome and genetically modified organisms. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Michael Thain has taught biology at Harrow since 1969. He is a fellow of the Institute of Biology and a council member of the London Natural History Society.
Michael Hickman has been professor of botany at the University of Alberta, Canada, since 1981.