Biology 2e

by Mary Ann Clark, Matthew Douglas and Jung Choi

Published by OpenStax

BiologyCollege

Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts. The 2nd edition has been revised to incorporate clearer, more current, and more dynamic explanations, while maintaining the same organization as the first edition. Art and illustrations have been substantially improved, and the textbook features additional assessments and related resources. The first edition of Biology by OpenStax is available in web view here .

Teach with this book. Sign up free Already have an account? Log in

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

Attribution

Adapted from Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark, Matthew Douglas, and Jung Choi, 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-2e. Changes: converted to CuraCourse lessons, with interactive practice added.

306 pages in 49 modules. Sign up to read and adopt them.

Preface1 page
1. Preface
1The Study of Life4 pages
1. Introduction
2. 1.1The Science of Biology
3. 1.2Themes and Concepts of Biology
4. Practice
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
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
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. 4.5The Cytoskeleton
7. 4.6Connections between Cells and Cellular Activities
8. Practice
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
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
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
8Photosynthesis5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 8.1Overview of Photosynthesis
3. 8.2The Light-Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis
4. 8.3Using Light Energy to Make Organic Molecules
5. Practice
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
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
11Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction4 pages
1. Introduction
2. 11.1The Process of Meiosis
3. 11.2Sexual Reproduction
4. Practice
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
13Modern Understandings of Inheritance4 pages
1. Introduction
2. 13.1Chromosomal Theory and Genetic Linkage
3. 13.2Chromosomal Basis of Inherited Disorders
4. Practice
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
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
16Gene Expression9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 16.1Regulation of Gene Expression
3. 16.2Prokaryotic Gene Regulation
4. 16.3Eukaryotic Epigenetic Gene Regulation
5. 16.4Eukaryotic Transcription 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
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
18Evolution and the Origin of Species5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 18.1Understanding Evolution
3. 18.2Formation of New Species
4. 18.3Reconnection and Speciation Rates
5. Practice
19The Evolution of Populations5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 19.1Population Evolution
3. 19.2Population Genetics
4. 19.3Adaptive Evolution
5. Practice
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
21Viruses6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 21.1Viral Evolution, Morphology, and Classification
3. 21.2Virus Infections and Hosts
4. 21.3Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections
5. 21.4Other Acellular Entities: Prions and Viroids
6. Practice
22Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 22.1Prokaryotic Diversity
3. 22.2Structure of Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea
4. 22.3Prokaryotic Metabolism
5. 22.4Bacterial Diseases in Humans
6. 22.5Beneficial Prokaryotes
7. Practice
23Protists6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 23.1Eukaryotic Origins
3. 23.2Characteristics of Protists
4. 23.3Groups of Protists
5. 23.4Ecology of Protists
6. Practice
24Fungi7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 24.1Characteristics of Fungi
3. 24.2Classifications of Fungi
4. 24.3Ecology of Fungi
5. 24.4Fungal Parasites and Pathogens
6. 24.5Importance of Fungi in Human Life
7. Practice
25Seedless Plants6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 25.1Early Plant Life
3. 25.2Green Algae: Precursors of Land Plants
4. 25.3Bryophytes
5. 25.4Seedless Vascular Plants
6. Practice
26Seed Plants6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 26.1Evolution of Seed Plants
3. 26.2Gymnosperms
4. 26.3Angiosperms
5. 26.4The Role of Seed Plants
6. Practice
27Introduction to Animal Diversity6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 27.1Features of the Animal Kingdom
3. 27.2Features Used to Classify Animals
4. 27.3Animal Phylogeny
5. 27.4The Evolutionary History of the Animal Kingdom
6. Practice
28Invertebrates9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 28.1Phylum Porifera
3. 28.2Phylum Cnidaria
4. 28.3Superphylum Lophotrochozoa: Flatworms, Rotifers, and Nemerteans
5. 28.4Superphylum Lophotrochozoa: Mollusks and Annelids
6. 28.5Superphylum Ecdysozoa: Nematodes and Tardigrades
7. 28.6Superphylum Ecdysozoa: Arthropods
8. 28.7Superphylum Deuterostomia
9. Practice
29Vertebrates9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 29.1Chordates
3. 29.2Fishes
4. 29.3Amphibians
5. 29.4Reptiles
6. 29.5Birds
7. 29.6Mammals
8. 29.7The Evolution of Primates
9. Practice
30Plant Form and Physiology8 pages
1. Introduction
2. 30.1The Plant Body
3. 30.2Stems
4. 30.3Roots
5. 30.4Leaves
6. 30.5Transport of Water and Solutes in Plants
7. 30.6Plant Sensory Systems and Responses
8. Practice
31Soil and Plant Nutrition5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 31.1Nutritional Requirements of Plants
3. 31.2The Soil
4. 31.3Nutritional Adaptations of Plants
5. Practice
32Plant Reproduction5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 32.1Reproductive Development and Structure
3. 32.2Pollination and Fertilization
4. 32.3Asexual Reproduction
5. Practice
33The Animal Body: Basic Form and Function5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 33.1Animal Form and Function
3. 33.2Animal Primary Tissues
4. 33.3Homeostasis
5. Practice
34Animal Nutrition and the Digestive System6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 34.1Digestive Systems
3. 34.2Nutrition and Energy Production
4. 34.3Digestive System Processes
5. 34.4Digestive System Regulation
6. Practice
35The Nervous System7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 35.1Neurons and Glial Cells
3. 35.2How Neurons Communicate
4. 35.3The Central Nervous System
5. 35.4The Peripheral Nervous System
6. 35.5Nervous System Disorders
7. Practice
46Ecosystems5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 46.1Ecology of Ecosystems
3. 46.2Energy Flow through Ecosystems
4. 46.3Biogeochemical Cycles
5. Practice
37The Endocrine System7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 37.1Types of Hormones
3. 37.2How Hormones Work
4. 37.3Regulation of Body Processes
5. 37.4Regulation of Hormone Production
6. 37.5Endocrine Glands
7. Practice
42The Immune System6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 42.1Innate Immune Response
3. 42.2Adaptive Immune Response
4. 42.3Antibodies
5. 42.4Disruptions in the Immune System
6. Practice
41Osmotic Regulation and Excretion7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 41.1Osmoregulation and Osmotic Balance
3. 41.2The Kidneys and Osmoregulatory Organs
4. 41.3Excretion Systems
5. 41.4Nitrogenous Wastes
6. 41.5Hormonal Control of Osmoregulatory Functions
7. Practice
44Ecology and the Biosphere7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 44.1The Scope of Ecology
3. 44.2Biogeography
4. 44.3Terrestrial Biomes
5. 44.4Aquatic Biomes
6. 44.5Climate and the Effects of Global Climate Change
7. Practice
47Conservation Biology and Biodiversity6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 47.1The Biodiversity Crisis
3. 47.2The Importance of Biodiversity to Human Life
4. 47.3Threats to Biodiversity
5. 47.4Preserving Biodiversity
6. Practice
45Population and Community Ecology9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 45.1Population Demography
3. 45.2Life Histories and Natural Selection
4. 45.3Environmental Limits to Population Growth
5. 45.4Population Dynamics and Regulation
6. 45.5Human Population Growth
7. 45.6Community Ecology
8. 45.7Behavioral Biology: Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Behavior
9. Practice
36Sensory Systems7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 36.1Sensory Processes
3. 36.2Somatosensation
4. 36.3Taste and Smell
5. 36.4Hearing and Vestibular Sensation
6. 36.5Vision
7. Practice
38The Musculoskeletal System6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 38.1Types of Skeletal Systems
3. 38.2Bone
4. 38.3Joints and Skeletal Movement
5. 38.4Muscle Contraction and Locomotion
6. Practice
39The Respiratory System6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 39.1Systems of Gas Exchange
3. 39.2Gas Exchange across Respiratory Surfaces
4. 39.3Breathing
5. 39.4Transport of Gases in Human Bodily Fluids
6. Practice
43Animal Reproduction and Development9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 43.1Reproduction Methods
3. 43.2Fertilization
4. 43.3Human Reproductive Anatomy and Gametogenesis
5. 43.4Hormonal Control of Human Reproduction
6. 43.5Human Pregnancy and Birth
7. 43.6Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development
8. 43.7Organogenesis and Vertebrate Axis Formation
9. Practice
40The Circulatory System6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 40.1Overview of the Circulatory System
3. 40.2Components of the Blood
4. 40.3Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels
5. 40.4Blood Flow and Blood Pressure Regulation
6. Practice
Appendices3 pages
1. AThe Periodic Table of Elements
2. BGeological Time
3. CMeasurements and the Metric System

Biology 2e

Table of contents