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Shen J of Biol Res-Thessaloniki (2020) 27:19
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40709-020-00127-0
BOOK REVIEW
Campbell biology (edited byLisa Urry,
Michael Cain, Steven Wasserman, Peter
Minorsky andJane Reece)
Gangxu Shen1,2*
Abstract
Campbell Biology is divided into eight units and 56 chapters. The organization and size of this book are appropriate
and easy for first-year university students and help them to learn and digest the content. Campbell Biology is currently
among the best biology books and it is listed with the best shelling textbooks. Campbell Biology is mainly for first-year
university students, but it is also an important book for postgraduate medical examinations. Moreover, some high
school students may use it as an essential reference book. In its current edition, the latest information in various fields
has been added, such as the basal body, which was previously called the 9*3 type microtube arrangement but now
has been renamed as the 9 + 0 type in Chapter 6. The updates in molecular biology are closer to the current situation,
such as the addition of information on next-generation sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9 in Chapter 20. This content can
enable readers to acquire the latest knowledge. Reading this book and understanding the information presented in
its pages is very helpful for the future life science professionals. Thus, Campbell Biology is very valuable textbook in the
field of biology.
Keywords: Campbell biology, University students, Postgraduate medical examinations
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Book details
Campbell Biology, 11th Lisa Urry, Michael Cain, Steven
Wasserman, Peter Minorsky, Jane Reece.
Pearson Education, 2017
ISBN13: 978-0-134-09341-3
Biology is a compulsory course in a university’s biomed-
icine-related departments. Biology includes cytology,
energetics, genetics, molecular biology, botany, evolu-
tion, ecology, and taxonomy. Biology is necessary to pre-
pare for detailed study in various fields.
The readership ofCampbell Biology
Campbell Biology is mainly for first-year university stu-
dents, but it is also an important book for postgraduate
medical examinations. Moreover, some high school stu-
dents may use it as an essential reference book. Although
the content may be difficult for high school students, it
is suitable for first-year university students. However, the
content may be too basic for candidates appearing for
post-baccalaureate Chinese medicine and Western medi-
cine examinations. Because of the fierce competition in
these examinations, books with much more advanced
content are often preferred. Sometimes, the entrance
exam questions for the post-baccalaureate medicine
department are taken from more professional books,
such as those closely related to biochemistry, molecular
biology, genetics, or ecology.
Open Access
Journal of Biological
Research-Thessaloniki
*Correspondence: [email protected]
1 School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, I-Shou University,
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Page 2 of 3
Shen J of Biol Res-Thessaloniki (2020) 27:19
What isnew inCampbell Biology
In this edition of Campbell Biology, the latest informa-
tion in various fields has been added, such as the basal
body, which was previously called the 9*3 type micro-
tube arrangement but now has been renamed as the
9 + 0 type in Chapter6 [1]. e updates in molecular
biology are closer to the current situation, such as the
addition of information on next-generation sequencing
and CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short pal-
indromic repeat)/Cas9 in Chapter20 [1]. is content
can enable readers to acquire the latest knowledge.
The organization ofCampbell Biology
Campbell Biology is divided into eight units and 56
chapters [1]. e organization and size of this book
are appropriate and easy for first-year university stu-
dents and help them to accept and learn the content.
Campbell Biology is currently among the best biology
books and it is listed with the best shelling textbooks.
Of course, some content lack depth compared with
more specialized books, but this is understandable
given its main target is first-year university students.
For more in-depth content, readers may refer to other
books, such as Gene 12th, Molecular Cell Biology (Lod-
ish et al.), Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 7th,
Immunobiology (Janeway etal.), Principles of Genetics
(Snustad and Simmons), Vander’s Human Physiology
15th, Elements of Ecology (Smith and Smith), and Brock
Biology of Microorganisms 15th.
Suggestions onCampbell biology content
Unit 2 The cell
Chapter6, page 102: e fact that ribosomes are not
membrane bounded means that they cannot techni-
cally be considered organelles [1]; however, a number
of books, such as Starr Biology [2], describe ribosomes
as organelles. I therefore suggest that the book make
readers aware that even among experts, opinions differ.
Chapter7, page 138: e term secondary active trans-
port, which is commonly used in other textbooks on
physiology [3] and biochemistry [4] is referred to in
Campbell Biology as cotransport [1]. To prevent con-
fusion, I suggest using the common term, secondary
active transport.
Unit 3 Genetics
Chapter15, page 310: On a few genes, methylation has
been shown to activate the expression of the allele. One
example is the insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf 2) gene,
on which the methylation of particular cytosines on
the paternal chromosome leads to the expression of the
paternal Igf 2 allele [1]. Note however that in Gene 12th
[5], the description is quite different: “e ICR is meth-
ylated on the paternal allele, where Igf 2 is active. e
ICR is unmethylated on the maternal allele, where Igf 2
is inactive.” I suggest that readers be informed that meth-
ylation occurs on the ICR, rather than on Igf 2. is will
help to avoid confusion when they read the descriptions
in other texts, such as Brooker Biology: “Igf 2 is methyl-
ated on the maternal allele, where Igf 2 is inactive” [6].
Chapter20, pages 429–430: Embryonic stem cells (ES
cells) are pluripotent, which means that they are capable
of differentiating into many different cell types [1]. Note
however, that Figure20.20 ascribes to ES cells the ability
to generate “all embryonic cell types” [1]. I recommended
modifying the text as “many different cell types” to ensure
consistency between the main text and figure caption.
Unit 5 The evolutionary history ofbiological diversity
Chapter27, pages 578: e process of bacterial conjuga-
tion by which DNA is transferred has yet to be fully eluci-
dated. In fact, recent evidence suggests that DNA passes
directly through the hollow pilus. In Principles of genetics
[7], it is clearly stated that F pili are involved in establish-
ing cell contact, rather than the transfer of DNA. I there-
fore recommended that Campbell Biology make it clear
that the sex pilus is involved only in cell contact and not
in the transmission of DNA.
Unit 6 Plant form andfunction
Chapter35, page 778: e ABC model of flower forma-
tion involves formation of the four types of floral organs
[1]. e functions of MADS-box gene have been exten-
sively studied in Arabidopsis thaliana, where ABCDE
genes specify the fate of floral organs by the combina-
torial ABCDE model [8, 9]. In this model, A, B and C
proteins interact with E proteins [10]: A and E produces
sepals; A, B and E produces petals; B, C and E produces
stamens; C and E produces carpels [10–13]. erefore, I
suggest that Campbell biology should change the content
of ABC model to ABCDE model.
Unit 7 Animal form andfunction
Chapter46, page 1032: Animal embryo development pro-
cess is zygote, cleavage, and blastocyst [1]. But before the
formation of blastocyst, there is a period called Morula
[3, 14, 15]. is period of Morula should not be omitted.
Why should read this book
e fact that Campbell Biology outlines the foundations
of life science makes it a must-read for all life science pro-
fessionals. If you ever expect to apply for a post-bacca-
laureate position as in a medical department, Campbell
Biology should be on your list of essential reading.
Page 3 of 3
Shen J of Biol Res-Thessaloniki (2020) 27:19
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•
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Abbreviations
CRISPR: Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat.; Igf 2:
Insulin-like growth factor 2; ES cells: Embryonic stem cells.
Acknowledgements
I especially thank Springer Nature for sponsoring article-processing charge. I
also thank all the authors of Campbell biology and Pearson Education.
Authors’ contributions
GS performed all the research and drafted the manuscript. The author read
and approved the final manuscript.
Funding
No.
Availability of data and materials
Campbell biology.
Ethical approval and consent to participate
No.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The author declares no conflict of interest.
Author details
1 School of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, I-Shou University, Kaohsi-
ung, Taiwan. 2 National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan.
Received: 15 September 2020 Accepted: 28 November 2020
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