Does the vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella cause autism?

What is the most common reason that DNA analyses overturn incorrect criminal convictions?

What genetically modified foods do most people in the United States consume (usually without knowing it)?

In his popular classes and bestselling textbooks, Jay Phelan uses questions like these as a way of introducing both the practical impact and awe-inspiring wonder of biological research. Phelan knows how to captivate nonmajors with stories of how scientists investigate life. He is also a master at using study of biology as a context for developing the critical thinking skills and scientific literacy students can draw on through college and beyond.

Phelan's dynamic approach to teaching biology is the driving force behind What Is Life?--the most successful new non-majors biology textbook of the millennium. The rigorously updated new edition brings forward the features that made the book a classroom favorite (chapters anchored to intriguing questions about life, spectacular original illustrations, innovative learning tools) with a more focused and flexible presentation and enhanced art.

And more than ever, this edition is a seamless text/media source, with its dedicated version of LaunchPad, Macmillan's breakthrough online course space which integrates an interactive e-Book, all student media, a wide range of assessment and course management features.