Essential Biology is a brief non-majors biology book that combines clear writing, real-world applications, vivid art, and powerful media to teach readers the important concepts of biology and give them an appreciation for how biology relates to their everyday lives. In the Second Edition, best-selling authors Neil Campbell and Jane Reece are joined by Eric Simon, who uses his experience teaching non-majors biology to keep the book both accessible and up to date. To help readers become informed citizens, the new edition features even more human applications and up-to-date information on important issues like DNA technology, cloning, and global warming. The book covers four major biological topics Ð cells, genetics, evolution/diversity, and ecology Ð and uses evolution as an overarching theme to tie all 20 chapters together.