"Derived from the Concise science dictionary, published by Oxford University Press in 1984"--Pref

This is an ideal reference for students and nonscientists seeking explanations of widely used terms from biology, biophysics, and biochemistry, as well as key terms from paleontology and medicine. The entries are clear and concise, providing both straightforward definitions and invaluable background information, and are supplemneted by helpful line drawings and a range of tables of essential scientific information. A major feature is the network of cross references, which enables the reader to place any entry in a broader scientific context.