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:

Explain fetal development during the three trimesters of gestation
Describe labor and delivery
Compare the efficacy and duration of various types of contraception
Discuss causes of infertility and the therapeutic options available

This video segment from the Science and Technology Chat series focuses on dolphin pregnancy, birth, and care of the young, and features Atlantic bottlenose dolphins living in captivity at the Mirage Resort Dolphin Habitat. [2:38]

This video segment from the Science and Technology Chat series focuses on dolphin pregnancy, birth, and care of the young, and features Atlantic bottlenose dolphins living in captivity at the Mirage Resort Dolphin Habitat.

A detailed timeline on the early history of the religion from the time of Julius Caesar (44 B.C.E.) to 327 C.E. and the death of Constantine.

Watching plants grow is like watching paint dry: It happens so slowly that the changes are imperceptible from one moment to the next -- and yet the end results are dramatic. This video segment shows just how amazing plant development can be by depicting various phases of the process using time-lapse photography. Footage from NOVA: "The Shape of Things."

This collection of six images captures the magnificence of human development -- the transformation from baby to woman.

Through scientific research, this video from The Human Spark illustrates how a child’s views of what is right and wrong can be shaped by others.

All animals develop and grow over time. The animals in this video segment, however, undergo very dramatic changes on their way to adulthood -- a developmental process known as metamorphosis.

In this interactive activity from NOVA Online, learn about a type of exploding star - a Type Ia supernova - that is so bright that astronomers can measure the distance to the galaxy in which it resides, and even learn which elements make up the star.

This video segment adapted from NOVA explains the origin of the elements and how scientists use unique element profiles to identify supernova types. Includes background reading and discussion questions. [1:55]

Learn firsthand from a young Antarctic researcher about a long-term study on the reproductive history of Weddell seals in this video segment adapted from WomenInAntarctica.com. [3:33]

This video segment adapted from NOVA reveals how junk DNA helped solve an evolutionary mystery: Why do certain species of fruit flies have wing spots while others don't?

Looking at the history of the community of Mirror, Alberta, shows how this part of Western Canada gained population.

Students discuss several human reproductive technologies available today pregnancy ultrasound, amniocentesis, in-vitro fertilization and labor anesthetics. They learn how each technology works, and that these are ways engineers have worked to improve the health of expecting mothers and babies.

Student teams learn about and devise technical presentations on four reproductive technology topics pregnancy ultrasound, amniocentesis, in-vitro fertilization or labor anesthetics. Each team acts as a panel of engineers asked to make a presentation to a group of students unfamiliar with the reproductive technology. Each group incorporates non-lecture elements into its presentation for greater effectiveness. As students learn about the technologies, by creating a presentation and listening to other groups' presentations, they also learn more about the valuable skill of technical communications.