
Biology for AP® Courses
by Julianne Zedalis and John Eggebrecht
Published by OpenStax
Biology for AP ® Courses covers the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester Advanced Placement ® biology course. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology for AP ® Courses was designed to meet and exceed the requirements of the College Board’s AP ® Biology framework while allowing significant flexibility for instructors. Each section of the book includes an introduction based on the AP ® curriculum and includes rich features that engage students in scientific practice and AP ® test preparation; it also highlights careers and research opportunities in biological sciences. Advanced Placement ® and AP ® are trademarks registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this textbook.
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Attribution
Adapted from Biology for AP® Courses by Julianne Zedalis and John Eggebrecht, published by OpenStax (Rice University) under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). Access the original for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-ap-courses. Changes: converted to CuraCourse lessons, with interactive practice added.
Table of contents
247 pages in 40 modules. Sign up to read and adopt them.
Preface1 page
- Preface
1The Study of Life4 pages
- Introduction
- 1.1The Science of Biology
- 1.2Themes and Concepts of Biology
- Practice
2The Chemical Foundation of Life5 pages
- Introduction
- 2.1Atoms, Isotopes, Ions, and Molecules: The Building Blocks
- 2.2Water
- 2.3Carbon
- Practice
3Biological Macromolecules7 pages
- Introduction
- 3.1Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules
- 3.2Carbohydrates
- 3.3Lipids
- 3.4Proteins
- 3.5Nucleic Acids
- Practice
4Cell Structure8 pages
- Introduction
- 4.1Studying Cells
- 4.2Prokaryotic Cells
- 4.3Eukaryotic Cells
- 4.4The Endomembrane System and Proteins
- 4.5Cytoskeleton
- 4.6Connections between Cells and Cellular Activities
- Practice
5Structure and Function of Plasma Membranes6 pages
- Introduction
- 5.1Components and Structure
- 5.2Passive Transport
- 5.3Active Transport
- 5.4Bulk Transport
- Practice
6Metabolism7 pages
- Introduction
- 6.1Energy and Metabolism
- 6.2Potential, Kinetic, Free, and Activation Energy
- 6.3The Laws of Thermodynamics
- 6.4ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate
- 6.5Enzymes
- Practice
7Cellular Respiration9 pages
- Introduction
- 7.1Energy in Living Systems
- 7.2Glycolysis
- 7.3Oxidation of Pyruvate and the Citric Acid Cycle
- 7.4Oxidative Phosphorylation
- 7.5Metabolism without Oxygen
- 7.6Connections of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Lipid Metabolic Pathways
- 7.7Regulation of Cellular Respiration
- Practice
8Photosynthesis5 pages
- Introduction
- 8.1Overview of Photosynthesis
- 8.2The Light-Dependent Reaction of Photosynthesis
- 8.3Using Light to Make Organic Molecules
- Practice
9Cell Communication6 pages
- Introduction
- 9.1Signaling Molecules and Cellular Receptors
- 9.2Propagation of the Signal
- 9.3Response to the Signal
- 9.4Signaling in Single-Celled Organisms
- Practice
10Cell Reproduction7 pages
- Introduction
- 10.1Cell Division
- 10.2The Cell Cycle
- 10.3Control of the Cell Cycle
- 10.4Cancer and the Cell Cycle
- 10.5Prokaryotic Cell Division
- Practice
11Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction4 pages
- Introduction
- 11.1The Process of Meiosis
- 11.2Sexual Reproduction
- Practice
12Mendel's Experiments and Heredity5 pages
- Introduction
- 12.1Mendel’s Experiments and the Laws of Probability
- 12.2Characteristics and Traits
- 12.3Laws of Inheritance
- Practice
13Modern Understandings of Inheritance4 pages
- Introduction
- 13.1Chromosomal Theory and Genetic Linkages
- 13.2Chromosomal Basis of Inherited Disorders
- Practice
14DNA Structure and Function8 pages
- Introduction
- 14.1Historical Basis of Modern Understanding
- 14.2DNA Structure and Sequencing
- 14.3Basics of DNA Replication
- 14.4DNA Replication in Prokaryotes
- 14.5DNA Replication in Eukaryotes
- 14.6DNA Repair
- Practice
15Genes and Proteins7 pages
- Introduction
- 15.1The Genetic Code
- 15.2Prokaryotic Transcription
- 15.3Eukaryotic Transcription
- 15.4RNA Processing in Eukaryotes
- 15.5Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis
- Practice
16Gene Regulation9 pages
- Introduction
- 16.1Regulation of Gene Expression
- 16.2Prokaryotic Gene Regulation
- 16.3Eukaryotic Epigenetic Gene Regulation
- 16.4Eukaryotic Transcriptional Gene Regulation
- 16.5Eukaryotic Post-transcriptional Gene Regulation
- 16.6Eukaryotic Translational and Post-translational Gene Regulation
- 16.7Cancer and Gene Regulation
- Practice
17Biotechnology and Genomics7 pages
- Introduction
- 17.1Biotechnology
- 17.2Mapping Genomes
- 17.3Whole-Genome Sequencing
- 17.4Applying Genomics
- 17.5Genomics and Proteomics
- Practice
18Evolution and Origin of Species5 pages
- Introduction
- 18.1Understanding Evolution
- 18.2Formation of New Species
- 18.3Reconnection and Rates of Speciation
- Practice
19The Evolution of Populations5 pages
- Introduction
- 19.1Population Evolution
- 19.2Population Genetics
- 19.3Adaptive Evolution
- Practice
20Phylogenies and the History of Life5 pages
- Introduction
- 20.1Organizing Life on Earth
- 20.2Determining Evolutionary Relationships
- 20.3Perspectives on the Phylogenetic Tree
- Practice
21Viruses6 pages
- Introduction
- 21.1Viral Evolution, Morphology, and Classification
- 21.2Virus Infection and Hosts
- 21.3Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections
- 21.4Other Acellular Entities: Prions and Viroids
- Practice
22Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea7 pages
- Introduction
- 22.1Prokaryotic Diversity
- 22.2Structure of Prokaryotes
- 22.3Prokaryotic Metabolism
- 22.4Bacterial Diseases in Humans
- 22.5Beneficial Prokaryotes
- Practice
23Plant Form and Physiology8 pages
- Introduction
- 23.1The Plant Body
- 23.2Stems
- 23.3Roots
- 23.4Leaves
- 23.5Transport of Water and Solutes in Plants
- 23.6Plant Sensory Systems and Responses
- Practice
24The Animal Body: Basic Form and Function5 pages
- Introduction
- 24.1Animal Form and Function
- 24.2Animal Primary Tissues
- 24.3Homeostasis
- Practice
25Animal Nutrition and the Digestive System6 pages
- Introduction
- 25.1Digestive Systems
- 25.2Nutrition and Energy Production
- 25.3Digestive System Processes
- 25.4Digestive System Regulation
- Practice
26The Nervous System7 pages
- Introduction
- 26.1Neurons and Glial Cells
- 26.2How Neurons Communicate
- 26.3The Central Nervous System
- 26.4The Peripheral Nervous System
- 26.5Nervous System Disorders
- Practice
27Sensory Systems7 pages
- Introduction
- 27.1Sensory Processes
- 27.2Somatosensation
- 27.3Taste and Smell
- 27.4Hearing and Vestibular Sensation
- 27.5Vision
- Practice
28The Endocrine System7 pages
- Introduction
- 28.1Types of Hormones
- 28.2How Hormones Work
- 28.3Regulation of Body Processes
- 28.4Regulation of Hormone Production
- 28.5Endocrine Glands
- Practice
29The Musculoskeletal System6 pages
- Introduction
- 29.1Types of Skeletal Systems
- 29.2Bone
- 29.3Joints and Skeletal Movement
- 29.4Muscle Contraction and Locomotion
- Practice
30The Respiratory System6 pages
- Introduction
- 30.1Systems of Gas Exchange
- 30.2Gas Exchange across Respiratory Surfaces
- 30.3Breathing
- 30.4Transport of Gases in Human Bodily Fluids
- Practice
31The Circulatory System6 pages
- Introduction
- 31.1Overview of the Circulatory System
- 31.2Components of the Blood
- 31.3Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels
- 31.4Blood Flow and Blood Pressure Regulation
- Practice
32Osmotic Regulation and Excretion7 pages
- Introduction
- 32.1Osmoregulation and Osmotic Balance
- 32.2The Kidneys and Osmoregulatory Organs
- 32.3Excretion Systems
- 32.4Nitrogenous Wastes
- 32.5Hormonal Control of Osmoregulatory Functions
- Practice
33The Immune System6 pages
- Introduction
- 33.1Innate Immune Response
- 33.2Adaptive Immune Response
- 33.3Antibodies
- 33.4Disruptions in the Immune System
- Practice
34Animal Reproduction and Development9 pages
- Introduction
- 34.1Reproduction Methods
- 34.2Fertilization
- 34.3Human Reproductive Anatomy and Gametogenesis
- 34.4Hormonal Control of Human Reproduction
- 34.5Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development
- 34.6Organogenesis and Vertebrate Axis Formation
- 34.7Human Pregnancy and Birth
- Practice
35Ecology and the Biosphere7 pages
- Introduction
- 35.1The Scope of Ecology
- 35.2Biogeography
- 35.3Terrestrial Biomes
- 35.4Aquatic Biomes
- 35.5Climate and the Effects of Global Climate Change
- Practice
Appendices3 pages
- AThe Periodic Table of Elements
- BGeological Time
- CMeasurements and the Metric System
38Conservation Biology and Biodiversity6 pages
- Introduction
- 38.1The Biodiversity Crisis
- 38.2The Importance of Biodiversity to Human Life
- 38.3Threats to Biodiversity
- 38.4Preserving Biodiversity
- Practice
37Ecosystems5 pages
- Introduction
- 37.1Ecology for Ecosystems
- 37.2Energy Flow through Ecosystems
- 37.3Biogeochemical Cycles
- Practice
36Population and Community Ecology9 pages
- Introduction
- 36.1Population Demography
- 36.2Life Histories and Natural Selection
- 36.3Environmental Limits to Population Growth
- 36.4Population Dynamics and Regulation
- 36.5Human Population Growth
- 36.6Community Ecology
- 36.7Behavioral Biology: Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Behavior
- Practice