We see plants and animals live and die every day, but what really goes on inside a living organism? For instance, how does the respiratory system work? Will understanding epigenetics help us fight disease? And how is climate change impacting extinctions? Here you can take a half a minute to discover the origins of life, why certain species interact, the pros and cons of bacteria, or the secrets behind cell communication. The book covers 50 essential topics in detailed 300-word briefs, along with one-line summations, names of key figures, directions for further study, and full-page illustrations.