Cell Biology & Biochemistry

The American Biology Teacher,
Volume 70, No. 1, January 2008
Reviewed by: Chris K. Jervis

Cell Biology and Biochemistry
2006. Created by Biozone International Ltd.
Contact sales@biozone.co.nz for pricing and ordering information.

System Requirements:
• CD-ROM Drive or Downloads
• Windows
• Mad OS compatible

The items reviewed consisted of two products. One, the less expensive one, was a workbook addressing these areas of introductory biology: Molecules of Life, Cell Structure, Cell Membranes and Transport, Cellular Energetics, and Processes in the Nucleus. The second product, considerably more expensive, was a CD library of presentation graphics in multiple formats (PowerPoint, HTML, PDF, Quicktime, and Apple's Keynote) keyed to the sections in the workbook. Both of these are subdivisions of a larger body of work, which covers the entirety of an introductory biology course at either the freshmen level or advanced high school level. All of these units are available as modules.

The workbook/study guide has much to be said for it. For each of the five chapters, it has clearly stated objectives, extensive additional resources listing of supplemental texts, lists of periodical resources from print media, URL's for Web-based media and concept map "outlines". The book sections could easily serve as assessments or study guide activities. The online links, available through the Web address above, are extensive and worthwhile. The workbook is compact, with perforated pages for turning in student work if desired. The graphics are extensive and impressive, similar to many that one might find in any one of numerous texts or ancillary materials.

Much of the graphics are replicated in full color on the media presentation CD, although they are in high quality black and white/gray tone in the print. Rather than being a minus for the product, the lack of color graphics clearly helps keep the cost down low enough that it would not be a burden to have students purchase the module as a supplemental workbook/study guide for use with any major freshmen level or high school level text. Excellent illustrations in the print, electronic media (CD and Web site), copious links to much useful information are pluses. The PowerPoint files are editable, allowing one to personalize them if desired. The disk ran well on Windows and Mac platforms.

I think that either alone, but certainly together, these two are valuable resources. They will allow for concentrated review/study guide activities with the print media, and give an excellent set of graphics which are editable for classroom presentations. The universal nature of the materials makes them useful with multiple texts, not just the Biozone products.

Chris K. Jervis
Teacher
Auburn High School
Riner, VA 24149