Essential Biology is a brief, non-majors biology textbook that brings the authors extraordinary reputation for biological accuracy and teaching innovation to bear upon four core biological topics: cells, genetics, evolution, and ecology. The authors use evolution as the thematic thread to tie all twenty chapters into a cohesive exploration of life. In Essential Biology, the clarity of writing complements an exciting new art program. The art works hand-in-hand with text discussions to help students visualize difficult concepts. FeaturesAn Evolution Link at the end of each chapter reinforces evolution as the overarching theme of biology.Checkpoint questions throughout each chapter help students assess what theyve learned asthey read.Essential Biology emphasizes the process of science and active learning, engaging students in science with Process of Science questions at the ends of chapters and with media activities that enable students to explore and experiment.Each chapter begins with an Overview section that provides students with a context that motivates them to learn more about the chapter topic.Chapter outlines preview the material to be covered, defining the hierarchy among topics and helping students understand the relationships between them.Essential Biology is the perfect fit for instructors who opt for substantive coverage of fewer major topics than longer textbooks contain. By focusing on cells, genetics, evolution, and ecology, Essential Biology provides a fresh alternative to encyclopedic textbooks.