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:

Identify the macronutrients needed by prokaryotes, and explain their importance
Describe the ways in which prokaryotes get energy and carbon for life processes
Describe the roles of prokaryotes in the carbon and nitrogen cycles

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

Explain why carbon is important for life
Describe the role of functional groups in biological molecules

Site offers lessons and activities designed to supplement study of the environment and ecology. Concise explanations are presented on the importance of trees in our world. Also, problem solving and creative thinking is encouraged throughout this lesson. Ideal for grades 4-8.

Explains the cycle of carbon through the atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

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Introduction to how water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are cycled through ecosystems. [7:54]

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

Students learn about the periodic table and how pervasive the elements are in our daily lives. After reviewing the table organization and facts about the first 20 elements, they play an element identification game. They also learn that engineers incorporate these elements into the design of new products and processes. Acting as computer and animation engineers, students creatively express their new knowledge by creating a superhero character based on of the elements they now know so well. They will then pair with another superhero and create a dynamic duo out of the two elements, which will represent a molecule.

Students learn about energy and nutrient flow in various biosphere climates and environments. They learn about herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, food chains and food webs, seeing the interdependence between producers, consumers and decomposers. Students are introduced to the roles of the hydrologic (water), carbon, and nitrogen cycles in sustaining the worlds' ecosystems so living organisms survive. This lesson is part of a series of six lessons in which students use their growing understanding of various environments and the engineering design process, to design and create their own model biodome ecosystems.

This video segment adapted from NOVA illustrates why carbon is at the center of life on Earth. It also asks whether carbon-based life might exist on other planets. [1:38]

This video segment adapted from NOVA illustrates why carbon is at the center of life on Earth. It also asks whether carbon-based life might exist on other planets.

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed on aggregates or groups of atoms. A large number of movies of these computer simulations are contained in this website.

An illustrated article highlighting the science behind carbon and fossil fuels. Diagrams and graphs help with understanding.

A good overview of diamonds. Gives information on structure, properties, and origin. Includes models that can be rotated and examined in 3D. Also has activity for building your own carbon atom (requires Flash).

Organic chemistry is the study of the molecules that are necessary for life to exist. The key ingredient for these molecules is carbon, which is able to form complex structures and allows for the variety of different molecules in living things. This pathway provides resources for undestanding the basic rules that are used to categorize these different molecules.

Discusses different crystalline forms of carbon and their molecular structure.

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

This link is designed in a historic presentation to explain the various processes and functions of photography.