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.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Describe how organisms acquire energy in a food web and in associated food chains
Explain how the efficiency of energy transfers between trophic levels affects ecosystem structure and dynamics
Discuss trophic levels and how ecological pyramids are used to model them

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain the significance of photosynthesis to other living organisms
Describe the main structures involved in photosynthesis
Identify the substrates and products of photosynthesis

A short lesson explaining the "web of interactions" that occur in a food web. Understand how the energy flows between autotrophs and consumers. [0:35]

This site describes cellular components involved in light reaction and describes steps involved in photosynthesis.

Plants are producers, which means they are able to make their own food, as well as "food" for other organisms. Plants are also autotrophs - they collect energy from the sun and turn it into organic compounds. So how does a plant get the food it needs to survive? Learn more about photosynthesis in this learning module produced by CK-12.

A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.

Plant-like protists are known as algae. They are a large and diverse group. Plant-like protists are autotrophs. This means that they produce their own food. They perform photosynthesis to produce sugar by using carbon dioxide and water, and the energy from sunlight, just like plants. Unlike plants, however, plant-like protists do not have true stems, roots, or leaves. Learn more about plant-like protists in this learning module produced by CK-12.

A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.