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 why angiosperms are the dominant form of plant life in most terrestrial ecosystems
Describe the main parts of a flower and their functions
Detail the life cycle of a typical gymnosperm and angiosperm
Discuss the similarities and differences between the two main groups of flowering plants

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

Describe the two major innovations that allowed seed plants to reproduce in the absence of water
Explain when seed plants first appeared and when gymnosperms became the dominant plant group
Discuss the purpose of pollen grains and seeds
Describe the significance of angiosperms bearing both flowers and fruit

Mr. Andersen describes the virtual fly lab. Software at sciencecourseware.org allows for multiple matings and statistical analysis. [5:25]

A fairly extensive listing of interactive pictures of fruits comes alive with audio to help students learn the correct Spanish pronunciation. Move the mouse over each picture to hear the word.

Students imagine they are stranded on an island and must create the brightest light possible with the meager supplies they have on hand in order to gain the attention of a rescue airplane. In small groups, students create circuits using items in their "survival kits" to create maximum voltage, measured with a multimeter and two LED lights. To complete the activity, students act as engineers by using the given materials to create circuits that produces the highest voltage and light up the most LED lights. They apply their knowledge of how voltage differs in a series circuit and a parallel circuit to design their solutions.

This detailed article from the Nobel e-Museum explores Thomas Hunt Morgan's career and research in genetics. Read how Morgan's work influenced later scientists and the modern scientific world.

Explore the outdoors and watch as these children make and sort collections of things that come from nature. [1:26]