Biology 2e

Biology 2e is a two-semester majors-level course, built for students planning to continue in the biological or health sciences. It covers the full scope of the discipline, from atoms and molecules up through ecosystems and conservation. Before starting, a background in high school biology and chemistry is helpful, though the early chapters build up the needed chemistry from the ground up.

How This Course Is Organized

The textbook groups its 47 chapters into eight units, moving from the smallest scale (molecules and cells) to the largest (populations and ecosystems). Each unit builds on the one before it, so working through the chapters in order is the most natural path, though every chapter also stands on its own if you only need a specific topic.

Broad Units in This Course

• The Chemistry of Life: atoms, water, carbon, and the macromolecules that build every cell
• The Cell: cell structure, membranes, metabolism, respiration, photosynthesis, and cell division
• Genetics: meiosis, heredity, DNA, and gene expression
• Evolutionary Processes: biotechnology, evolution, population genetics, and phylogenies
• Biological Diversity: viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals
• Plant Structure and Function: plant form, nutrition, and reproduction
• Animal Structure and Function: the major organ systems, from digestion to reproduction
• Ecology: populations, communities, ecosystems, and conservation