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Cover of Biology for AP® Courses

Biology for AP® Courses

by Julianne Zedalis and John Eggebrecht

Published by OpenStax

BiologyAP

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.

Adopted pages stay linked to the book. Make your own copy of any page to change it for your class.

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.

  1. Preface1 page
    1. Preface
  2. 1The Study of Life4 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 1.1The Science of Biology
    3. 1.2Themes and Concepts of Biology
    4. Practice
  3. 2The Chemical Foundation of Life5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 2.1Atoms, Isotopes, Ions, and Molecules: The Building Blocks
    3. 2.2Water
    4. 2.3Carbon
    5. Practice
  4. 3Biological Macromolecules7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 3.1Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules
    3. 3.2Carbohydrates
    4. 3.3Lipids
    5. 3.4Proteins
    6. 3.5Nucleic Acids
    7. Practice
  5. 4Cell Structure8 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 4.1Studying Cells
    3. 4.2Prokaryotic Cells
    4. 4.3Eukaryotic Cells
    5. 4.4The Endomembrane System and Proteins
    6. 4.5Cytoskeleton
    7. 4.6Connections between Cells and Cellular Activities
    8. Practice
  6. 5Structure and Function of Plasma Membranes6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 5.1Components and Structure
    3. 5.2Passive Transport
    4. 5.3Active Transport
    5. 5.4Bulk Transport
    6. Practice
  7. 6Metabolism7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 6.1Energy and Metabolism
    3. 6.2Potential, Kinetic, Free, and Activation Energy
    4. 6.3The Laws of Thermodynamics
    5. 6.4ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate
    6. 6.5Enzymes
    7. Practice
  8. 7Cellular Respiration9 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 7.1Energy in Living Systems
    3. 7.2Glycolysis
    4. 7.3Oxidation of Pyruvate and the Citric Acid Cycle
    5. 7.4Oxidative Phosphorylation
    6. 7.5Metabolism without Oxygen
    7. 7.6Connections of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Lipid Metabolic Pathways
    8. 7.7Regulation of Cellular Respiration
    9. Practice
  9. 8Photosynthesis5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 8.1Overview of Photosynthesis
    3. 8.2The Light-Dependent Reaction of Photosynthesis
    4. 8.3Using Light to Make Organic Molecules
    5. Practice
  10. 9Cell Communication6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 9.1Signaling Molecules and Cellular Receptors
    3. 9.2Propagation of the Signal
    4. 9.3Response to the Signal
    5. 9.4Signaling in Single-Celled Organisms
    6. Practice
  11. 10Cell Reproduction7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 10.1Cell Division
    3. 10.2The Cell Cycle
    4. 10.3Control of the Cell Cycle
    5. 10.4Cancer and the Cell Cycle
    6. 10.5Prokaryotic Cell Division
    7. Practice
  12. 11Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction4 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 11.1The Process of Meiosis
    3. 11.2Sexual Reproduction
    4. Practice
  13. 12Mendel's Experiments and Heredity5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 12.1Mendel’s Experiments and the Laws of Probability
    3. 12.2Characteristics and Traits
    4. 12.3Laws of Inheritance
    5. Practice
  14. 13Modern Understandings of Inheritance4 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 13.1Chromosomal Theory and Genetic Linkages
    3. 13.2Chromosomal Basis of Inherited Disorders
    4. Practice
  15. 14DNA Structure and Function8 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 14.1Historical Basis of Modern Understanding
    3. 14.2DNA Structure and Sequencing
    4. 14.3Basics of DNA Replication
    5. 14.4DNA Replication in Prokaryotes
    6. 14.5DNA Replication in Eukaryotes
    7. 14.6DNA Repair
    8. Practice
  16. 15Genes and Proteins7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 15.1The Genetic Code
    3. 15.2Prokaryotic Transcription
    4. 15.3Eukaryotic Transcription
    5. 15.4RNA Processing in Eukaryotes
    6. 15.5Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis
    7. Practice
  17. 16Gene Regulation9 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 16.1Regulation of Gene Expression
    3. 16.2Prokaryotic Gene Regulation
    4. 16.3Eukaryotic Epigenetic Gene Regulation
    5. 16.4Eukaryotic Transcriptional Gene Regulation
    6. 16.5Eukaryotic Post-transcriptional Gene Regulation
    7. 16.6Eukaryotic Translational and Post-translational Gene Regulation
    8. 16.7Cancer and Gene Regulation
    9. Practice
  18. 17Biotechnology and Genomics7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 17.1Biotechnology
    3. 17.2Mapping Genomes
    4. 17.3Whole-Genome Sequencing
    5. 17.4Applying Genomics
    6. 17.5Genomics and Proteomics
    7. Practice
  19. 18Evolution and Origin of Species5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 18.1Understanding Evolution
    3. 18.2Formation of New Species
    4. 18.3Reconnection and Rates of Speciation
    5. Practice
  20. 19The Evolution of Populations5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 19.1Population Evolution
    3. 19.2Population Genetics
    4. 19.3Adaptive Evolution
    5. Practice
  21. 20Phylogenies and the History of Life5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 20.1Organizing Life on Earth
    3. 20.2Determining Evolutionary Relationships
    4. 20.3Perspectives on the Phylogenetic Tree
    5. Practice
  22. 21Viruses6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 21.1Viral Evolution, Morphology, and Classification
    3. 21.2Virus Infection and Hosts
    4. 21.3Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections
    5. 21.4Other Acellular Entities: Prions and Viroids
    6. Practice
  23. 22Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 22.1Prokaryotic Diversity
    3. 22.2Structure of Prokaryotes
    4. 22.3Prokaryotic Metabolism
    5. 22.4Bacterial Diseases in Humans
    6. 22.5Beneficial Prokaryotes
    7. Practice
  24. 23Plant Form and Physiology8 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 23.1The Plant Body
    3. 23.2Stems
    4. 23.3Roots
    5. 23.4Leaves
    6. 23.5Transport of Water and Solutes in Plants
    7. 23.6Plant Sensory Systems and Responses
    8. Practice
  25. 24The Animal Body: Basic Form and Function5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 24.1Animal Form and Function
    3. 24.2Animal Primary Tissues
    4. 24.3Homeostasis
    5. Practice
  26. 25Animal Nutrition and the Digestive System6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 25.1Digestive Systems
    3. 25.2Nutrition and Energy Production
    4. 25.3Digestive System Processes
    5. 25.4Digestive System Regulation
    6. Practice
  27. 26The Nervous System7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 26.1Neurons and Glial Cells
    3. 26.2How Neurons Communicate
    4. 26.3The Central Nervous System
    5. 26.4The Peripheral Nervous System
    6. 26.5Nervous System Disorders
    7. Practice
  28. 27Sensory Systems7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 27.1Sensory Processes
    3. 27.2Somatosensation
    4. 27.3Taste and Smell
    5. 27.4Hearing and Vestibular Sensation
    6. 27.5Vision
    7. Practice
  29. 28The Endocrine System7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 28.1Types of Hormones
    3. 28.2How Hormones Work
    4. 28.3Regulation of Body Processes
    5. 28.4Regulation of Hormone Production
    6. 28.5Endocrine Glands
    7. Practice
  30. 29The Musculoskeletal System6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 29.1Types of Skeletal Systems
    3. 29.2Bone
    4. 29.3Joints and Skeletal Movement
    5. 29.4Muscle Contraction and Locomotion
    6. Practice
  31. 30The Respiratory System6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 30.1Systems of Gas Exchange
    3. 30.2Gas Exchange across Respiratory Surfaces
    4. 30.3Breathing
    5. 30.4Transport of Gases in Human Bodily Fluids
    6. Practice
  32. 31The Circulatory System6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 31.1Overview of the Circulatory System
    3. 31.2Components of the Blood
    4. 31.3Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels
    5. 31.4Blood Flow and Blood Pressure Regulation
    6. Practice
  33. 32Osmotic Regulation and Excretion7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 32.1Osmoregulation and Osmotic Balance
    3. 32.2The Kidneys and Osmoregulatory Organs
    4. 32.3Excretion Systems
    5. 32.4Nitrogenous Wastes
    6. 32.5Hormonal Control of Osmoregulatory Functions
    7. Practice
  34. 33The Immune System6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 33.1Innate Immune Response
    3. 33.2Adaptive Immune Response
    4. 33.3Antibodies
    5. 33.4Disruptions in the Immune System
    6. Practice
  35. 34Animal Reproduction and Development9 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 34.1Reproduction Methods
    3. 34.2Fertilization
    4. 34.3Human Reproductive Anatomy and Gametogenesis
    5. 34.4Hormonal Control of Human Reproduction
    6. 34.5Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development
    7. 34.6Organogenesis and Vertebrate Axis Formation
    8. 34.7Human Pregnancy and Birth
    9. Practice
  36. 35Ecology and the Biosphere7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 35.1The Scope of Ecology
    3. 35.2Biogeography
    4. 35.3Terrestrial Biomes
    5. 35.4Aquatic Biomes
    6. 35.5Climate and the Effects of Global Climate Change
    7. Practice
  37. Appendices3 pages
    1. AThe Periodic Table of Elements
    2. BGeological Time
    3. CMeasurements and the Metric System
  38. 38Conservation Biology and Biodiversity6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 38.1The Biodiversity Crisis
    3. 38.2The Importance of Biodiversity to Human Life
    4. 38.3Threats to Biodiversity
    5. 38.4Preserving Biodiversity
    6. Practice
  39. 37Ecosystems5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 37.1Ecology for Ecosystems
    3. 37.2Energy Flow through Ecosystems
    4. 37.3Biogeochemical Cycles
    5. Practice
  40. 36Population and Community Ecology9 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 36.1Population Demography
    3. 36.2Life Histories and Natural Selection
    4. 36.3Environmental Limits to Population Growth
    5. 36.4Population Dynamics and Regulation
    6. 36.5Human Population Growth
    7. 36.6Community Ecology
    8. 36.7Behavioral Biology: Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Behavior
    9. Practice