Growth, Development, and Reproduction of the Human Body

Genes and genetics determine how parents pass on qualities to their offspring. The passing of characteristics from parents to offspring is known as heredity. Genes carry complicated instructions that tell the body's cells how to develop and behave. Discover more in Genes and Genetics, a title in the Growth, Development, and Reproduction of the Human Body series.

There are two basic types of diseases, infectious and noninfectious. Infectious diseases spread from one person to another. Diseases that do not spread from person to person are noninfectious. Discover more in Diseases, a title in the Growth, Development, and Reproduction of the Human Body series.

Epidemics and pandemics are among the biggest threats facing the world today, killing millions of people. Epidemics are outbreaks of a disease within a particular area. Pandemics such as COVID-19 occur on a larger scale when an epidemic spreads from one region to a wider area. Discover more in Epidemics and Pandemics, a title in the Growth, Development, and Reproduction of the Human Body series.