BIOLOGY: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS supplies an 800 page, introductory issues-oriented approach with enormous instructional power. Starr supports mastery throughout while encouraging the critical thinking students need as citizens, voters, parents, and consumers. The "Impacts, Issues" and "How Would You Vote?" features new to this edition make biology come alive. An "Impacts, Issues" case study opens each chapter focusing on a biology-related societal issue. Short films that expand on the issue are on the free Student CD. Each chapter's "How Would You Vote?" asks students to consider biology-related news, apply knowledge, cast a vote on the web and see state and nationwide voting tallies. With the updated edition, the 1pass code that accompanies all new copies provide online access to 1) BiologyNow, a learning tool that helps students assess their unique study needs through pretests, post-test and personalized learning plans; 2) InfoTrac, a library of full text articles; 3) vMentor, a live tutoring service and 4) "How Do I Prepare," a feature that allows students to review basic math, chemistry, and other skills that will help them more easily master introductory biology. In addition the updated edition also offers a new InfoMark online Reader which contains pre-selected relevant articles that pair with the content presented. This allows instructors to find outside readings in just one click. Plus a new appendix that contains an Annotated Journal Article shows students how researchers develop and analyze their research.