The Encyclopedia of Human Biology, Second Edition provides complete coverage of the vast subject area of human biology--no other reference work available offers such a detailed and comprehensive treatment of the subject. Including more than 670 articles in 37 different biological fields, this fully revised edition features one of the most renowned editorial Advisory Boards ever assembled. The Second Edition offers more than 75% new, updated, and revised content including approximately 150 new articles. In keeping with the first editions high standards, all articles have been subjected to rigorous peer review to ensure consistent presentation of the highest quality. Unlike other encyclopedias which use numerous fragmented entries to treat a subject, the Encyclopedia examines each subject in individual, cohesive articles. Arranged alphabetically for easy access, each article--about ten pages in length-contains a brief outline, glossary of unusual terms, a short concise definition of the subject, an in-depth development of the topic, recent bibliography, extensive cross references to other articles in the Encyclopedia, and tables and illustrations including more than 100 color plates. The Encyclopedia of Human Biology is already an important part of the collection of more than 2000 reference libraries. This Second Edition provides even greater value to the reader with its enlarged scope and updated content. It offers: Practicing scientists in all settings an up-to-date, authoritative, and reliable resource for preparing grant proposals, research papers, and background information on important, wide-ranging biological topics; College preparatory, undergraduate, and graduate students a one-stop source that will assist them with their course work, term papers, and dissertations; Researchers working in peripheral areas a concise explanation of the key issues and background reading suggestions in a given area; Educated general readers a broad spectrum of accurate, current information on all aspects of human biology. Second Edition of a highly regarded and widely used work originally published in 1991 All articles from the First Edition reviewed and updated for this Second Edition Articles provide coverage of 37 different subject areas Nine-volume set, including a separate index volume published simultaneously Approximately 7000 pages 673 full-length articles with cross references Articles written by more than 700 eminent contributors from around the world Renowned Editorial Board including several Nobel Laureates Thematic Table of Contents 5000 glossary entries explain key terms Further reading lists at the end of each entry, more than 4000 references in all Easy to read double-column format, large 8-1/2"x 11" page size More than 3000 figures and tables complement the text, including more than 100 color plates Entries arranged alphabetically for easy access More than 100 completely new topics added for this edition, including: AIDS Infectious Complications Cancer Prevention Cell Cycle Gene Targeting Techniques Lyme Disease In Vitro Fertilization Polymerase Chain Reaction Prions Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis) Tumor Suppressor Genes