FAQ 
CONTACT US 
E-BOOK REQUEST 
Human Biology 17th Edition
Human Biology – 17th Edition:
Written by Sylvia S. Mader and Michael Windelspecht, Human Biology, 17th Edition provides a clear and engaging introduction to the principles of biology through the study of the human body. Designed for non-majors and introductory biology students, the book emphasizes scientific literacy while helping readers understand how biological concepts relate to human health, disease, genetics, and the environment. This updated edition combines foundational biological science with modern medical and technological developments, making complex topics accessible and relevant to today’s learners.
The book is organized into several major units that explore the structure and function of the human body and its relationship to the natural world. Early chapters introduce scientific inquiry, chemistry of life, cell structure, and body organization. Subsequent sections focus on major body systems including the cardiovascular, immune, digestive, respiratory, urinary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, sensory, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Additional chapters examine development and aging, genetics, DNA technology, cancer biology, infectious diseases, evolution, ecology, and human impacts on the biosphere.
The 17th edition includes updated coverage of emerging diseases, biotechnology, genetic engineering, and current public health issues. Real-world examples, clinical applications, illustrations, review tools, and critical thinking activities help students connect biological concepts to everyday life and healthcare topics. The text’s approachable writing style and well-structured content make it a valuable resource for introductory human biology courses and general science education.
Additional ISBNs:
∗ Print ISBN: 1265250065, 978-1265250065, 9781265250065
∗ eText ISBN: 978-1264407606, 9781264407606, 1264407602
- See additional information on the Amazon.
More Details
Human Biology 17th Edition
Chapter 1
Exploring Life and Science 1
1.1 The Characteristics of Life 2
1.2 Humans Are Related to Other Animals 7
1.3 Science as a Process 9
1.4 Science and the Challenges Facing Society 15
Unit 1 Human Organization
Chapter 2
Chemistry of Life 19
2.1 From Atoms to Molecules 20
2.2 Water and Life 25
2.3 Molecules of Life 29
2.4 Carbohydrates 30
2.5 Lipids 32
2.6 Proteins 36
2.7 Nucleic Acids 38
Chapter 3
Cell Structure and Function 43
3.1 What Is a Cell? 44
3.2 How Cells Are Organized 46
3.3 The Plasma Membrane and How Substances Cross It 48
3.4 The Nucleus and Endomembrane System 52
3.5 The Cytoskeleton, Cell Movement, and Cell Junctions 55
3.6 Metabolism and the Energy Reactions 57
Chapter 4
Tissues, Organ Systems, and Homeostasis 65
4.1 Types of Tissues 66
4.2 Connective Tissue Connects and Supports 66
4.3 Muscular Tissue Moves the Body 69
4.4 Nervous Tissue Communicates 70
4.5 Epithelial Tissue Protects 71
4.6 Organ Systems, Body Cavities, and Body Membranes 74
4.7 Integumentary System 77
4.8 Homeostasis 81
Unit 2 Maintenance of the Human Body
Chapter 5
Cardiovascular System: Heart and Blood Vessels 86
5.1 Overview of the Cardiovascular System 87
5.2 The Types of Blood Vessels 88
5.3 The Heart Is a Double Pump 89
5.4 Blood Pressure 94
5.5 Two Cardiovascular Pathways 96
5.6 Exchange at the Capillaries 98
5.7 Cardiovascular Disorders 99
Chapter 6
Cardiovascular System: Blood 106
6.1 Blood: An Overview 107
6.2 Red Blood Cells and the Transport of Gases 109
6.3 White Blood Cells and Defense Against Disease 111
6.4 Platelets and Blood Clotting 113
6.5 Human Blood Types 115
6.6 Homeostasis 118
Chapter 7
The Lymphatic and Immune Systems 121
7.1 The Lymphatic System 122
7.2 Innate Immune Defenses 124
7.3 Adaptive Immune Defenses 127
7.4 Acquired Immunity 132
7.5 Disorders of the Immune System 135
Chapter 8
Biology of Infectious Diseases 141
8.1 Bacteria and Viruses 142
8.2 Infectious Diseases and Human Health 146
8.3 Emerging Diseases and COVID-19 153
8.4 Antibiotic Resistance 155
Chapter 9
Digestive System and Nutrition 159
9.1 Overview of Digestion 160
9.2 The Mouth, Pharynx, and Esophagus 162
9.3 The Stomach and Small Intestine 164
9.4 The Accessory Organs and Regulation of Secretions 169
9.5 The Large Intestine and Defecation 171
9.6 Nutrition and Weight Control 173
Chapter 10
Respiratory System 185
10.1 The Respiratory System 186
10.2 The Upper Respiratory Tract 187
10.3 The Lower Respiratory Tract 189
10.4 Mechanism of Breathing 191
10.5 Control of Ventilation 194
10.6 Gas Exchange in the Body 196
10.7 Disorders of the Respiratory System 197
Chapter 11
Urinary System 205
11.1 The Urinary System 206
11.2 Kidney Structure 209
11.3 Urine Formation 211
11.4 Kidneys and Homeostasis 215
11.5 Urinary System Disorders 219
Unit 3 Movement and Support in Humans
Chapter 12
Skeletal System 223
12.1 Overview of the Skeletal System 224
12.2 Bones of the Axial Skeleton 226
12.3 Bones of the Appendicular Skeleton 230
12.4 Articulations 233
12.5 Bone Growth and Homeostasis 235
Chapter 13
Muscular System 242
13.1 Overview of the Muscular System 243
13.2 Skeletal Muscle Fiber Contraction 246
13.3 Whole Muscle Contraction 252
13.4 Muscular Disorders 256
13.5 Homeostasis 258
Unit 4 Integration and Coordination in Humans
Chapter 14
Nervous System 262
14.1 Overview of the Nervous System 263
14.2 The Central Nervous System 270
14.3 The Limbic System and Higher Mental Functions 276
14.4 The Peripheral Nervous System 278
14.5 Drug Therapy and Substance Use Disorders 282
Chapter 15
Senses 289
15.1 Overview of Sensory Receptors and Sensations 290
15.2 Somatic Senses 291
15.3 Senses of Taste and Smell 293
15.4 Sense of Vision 295
15.5 Sense of Hearing 301
15.6 Sense of Equilibrium 305
Chapter 16
Endocrine System 309
16.1 Endocrine Glands 310
16.2 Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland 314
16.3 Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands 318
16.4 Adrenal Glands 320
16.5 Pancreas 324
16.6 Other Endocrine Glands 327
16.7 Hormones and Homeostasis 329
Unit 5 Reproduction in Humans
Chapter 17
Reproductive System 333
17.1 Human Life Cycle 334
17.2 Male Reproductive System 335
17.3 Female Reproductive System 339
17.4 The Ovarian Cycle 341
17.5 Control of Reproduction 345
17.6 Sexually Transmitted Diseases 350
Chapter 18
Development and Aging 358
18.1 Fertilization 359
18.2 Embryonic Development 361
18.3 Fetal Development 366
18.4 Pregnancy and Birth 372
18.5 Aging 375
Unit 6 Human Genetics
Chapter 19
Cell Division 381
19.1 Chromosomes 382
19.2 The Cell Cycle 383
19.3 Mitosis 385
19.4 Meiosis 387
19.5 Comparison of Meiosis and Mitosis 393
19.6 Chromosome Inheritance 395
Chapter 20
Cancer 403
20.1 Overview of Cancer 404
20.2 Causes and Prevention of Cancer 409
20.3 Diagnosis of Cancer 413
20.4 Treatment of Cancer 416
Chapter 21
Genetic Inheritance 421
21.1 Genotype and Phenotype 422
21.2 One- and Two-Trait Inheritance 423
21.3 Inheritance of Genetic Disorders 429
21.4 Beyond Simple Inheritance Patterns 432
21.5 Sex-Linked Inheritance 436
Chapter 22
DNA Biology and Technology 443
22.1 DNA and RNA Structure and Function 444
22.2 Gene Expression 448
22.3 DNA Technology 455
22.4 Genomics and Gene Therapy 464
Unit 7 Human Evolution and Ecology
Chapter 23
Human Evolution 470
23.1 Origin of Life 471
23.2 Biological Evolution 473
23.3 Classification of Humans 479
23.4 Evolution of Hominins 482
23.5 Evolution of Humans 485
Chapter 24
Ecology and the Nature of Ecosystems 494
24.1 The Nature of Ecosystems 495
24.2 Energy Flow in Ecosystems 498
24.3 Global Biogeochemical Cycles 502
Chapter 25
Human Interactions with the Biosphere 513
25.1 Human Population Growth 514
25.2 Human Use of Resources and Pollution 516
25.3 Biodiversity 525
25.4 Working Toward a Sustainable Society 532
Appendix Periodic Table of the Elements A-1 Metric System A-2
Glossary G-1
Index I
Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Sylvia S. Mader, EdD
Sylvia S. Mader is the celebrated author of several nationally recognized biology textbooks published by McGraw-Hill. Her acclaimed writing style, described as crisp and entertaining, has made her books a model for others writing in the field of biology.
Dr. Mader’s deep understanding of biology education was forged through her own extensive education. She holds degrees in both Biology and Education from a number of prestigious institutions, including Bryn Mawr College, Harvard University, Tufts University, and Nova Southeastern University.
Throughout her career, she has taught at various institutions, including the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and Massachusetts Bay Community College. Her ability to communicate complex topics to science-averse students directly led to the creation of one of her most famous works, Inquiry into Life, which is now in its twelfth edition. Beyond her writing and teaching, Dr. Mader is an avid explorer of the world’s many ecosystems, from the Florida Everglades to the Serengeti and the Galapagos Islands.
Michael Windelspecht, PhD
Michael Windelspecht is an accomplished educator, author, and the founder of Ricochet Creative Productions. He is the lead author for the Mader/Windelspecht series of texts, a key role in updating and modernizing the classic biology curriculum.
Dr. Windelspecht holds a BS in zoology-genetics from Michigan State University and a PhD in evolutionary genetics from the University of South Florida. As an educator, he has taught introductory biology, genetics, and human genetics in online, traditional, and hybrid environments at community colleges, universities, and even military institutions. For over a decade, he served as the Introductory Biology Coordinator at Appalachian State University, where he directed a program that enrolled over 4,500 students annually.
As an author and editor, Dr. Windelspecht has published over 20 reference textbooks as well as multiple print and online lab manuals. Through his company, Ricochet Creative Productions, he develops and assesses new technologies for the science classroom. His current interests include analyzing data from digital learning platforms to develop personalized microlearning assets.
Dentistry
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.