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 the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes
Distinguish between chromosomes, genes, and traits
Describe the mechanisms of chromosome compaction

A narrated introduction to centrioles, cellular organelles which play an important role in cell division. [0:42]

This animated explanation introduces the concept of mitosis by reviewing the research of Walther Flemming.

Students are given a problem about a relatively new treatment for cancer, Gleevec, and asked to apply and synthesize what they have learned about cell signaling and the eukaryotic cell cycle to explain why this targeted treatment works to prevent cell division with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapeutic agents.

The Genetics Student Edition book is one of ten volumes making up the Human Biology curriculum, an interdisciplinary and inquiry-based approach to the study of life science.

The Lives of Cells Student Edition book is one of ten volumes making up the Human Biology curriculum, an interdisciplinary and inquiry-based approach to the study of life science.

Learn the processes that happen in interphase to prepare the cell for division on this webpage. Webpage includes an audio lesson as well as an image. [0:23]

At the beginning of a DNA, DNA replication, and mitosis unit, students are given a short science news article summarizing a recent research paper. This assignment links the article to figures and key techniques from a related journal article, requiring students to apply and transfer the knowledge they gained in the unit.

Meiosis is the process by which gametes (eggs and sperm) are made. Gametes have only one set of chromosomes. Therefore, meiosis involves a reduction in the amount of genetic material. Each gamete has only half the chromosomes of the original germ cell. Explore meiosis with a computer model of dragons. Run meiosis, inspect the chromosomes, then choose gametes to fertilize. Predict the results of the dragon offspring and try to make a dragon without legs. Learn why all siblings do not look alike.

This video segment, adapted from the Interactive Secret of Life videodisc, explains the stages of mitosis, the process of dividing equally a cell's massive jumble of DNA just prior to cell division. [1:34]

Meiosis is used to make sperm and egg cells. During meiosis, a cell's chromosomes are copied once, but the cell divides twice. During mitosis, the chromosomes are copied once, and the cell divides once. For simplicity, cells are illustrated with only three pairs of chromosomes.

The miracle of life is featured in this wonderful series of short videos, journal entries, and flash segments. A variety of topics are covered in this well written, authoritative piece.

Explore the body's immune system to understand how a virus enters the body and how the human body fights against the viruses like the mumps virus and HIV.

Online mitosis activity offers the student the opportunity to identify, classify, calculate, and graph the phases of mitosis. Explanations of each phase, actual cells are displayed for classifing and gathering data in this comprehensive tutorial.

This animation describes the structure of a prokaryotic cell and how it is altered to allow binary fission to occur.

Read a brief introduction to mitosis, and then click on the 5 phases to read details and view photos of each in progress. Photo examples are excellent.