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:

List the characteristics of fungi
Describe the composition of the mycelium
Describe the mode of nutrition of fungi
Explain sexual and asexual reproduction in fungi

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

Identify fungi and place them into the five major phyla according to current classification
Describe each phylum in terms of major representative species and patterns of reproduction

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

Describe the role of fungi in various ecosystems
Describe mutualistic relationships of fungi with plant roots and photosynthetic organisms
Describe the beneficial relationship between some fungi and insects

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

Describe some fungal parasites and pathogens of plants
Describe the different types of fungal infections in humans
Explain why antifungal therapy is hampered by the similarity between fungal and animal cells

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

Describe the importance of fungi to the balance of the environment
Summarize the role of fungi in agriculture and food and beverage preparation
Describe the importance of fungi in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries
Discuss the role of fungi as model organisms

Biology is designed for multi-semester biology courses for science majors. It is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand. To meet the needs of today’s instructors and students, some content has been strategically condensed while maintaining the overall scope and coverage of traditional texts for this course. Instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand—and apply—key concepts.

Submitted as part of the California Learning Resource Network (CLRN) Phase 3 Digital Textbook Initiative (CA DTI3), CK-12 Foundation’s high school Biology FlexBook covers cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, botany, zoology, and physiology. This digital textbook was reviewed for its alignment with California content standards.

Students investigate decomposers and the role of decomposers in maintaining the flow of nutrients in an environment. Students also learn how engineers use decomposers to help clean up wastes in a process known as bioremediation. This lesson concludes 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.

Students design and conduct experiments to determine what environmental factors favor decomposition by soil microbes. They use chunks of carrots for the materials to be decomposed, and their experiments are carried out in plastic bags filled with dirt. Every few days students remove the carrots from the dirt and weigh them. Depending on the experimental conditions, after a few weeks most of the carrots will have decomposed completely.

This video segment adapted from A Science Odyssey tells the story of researcher Sir Alexander Fleming, whose luck and scientific reasoning led to the groundbreaking discovery of penicillin.

This video segment adapted from A Science Odyssey tells the story of researcher Sir Alexander Fleming, whose luck and scientific reasoning led to the groundbreaking discovery of penicillin. [4:45]

Answer review questions about taking care of trees, and advance for the win!

Students conduct experiments to determine what environmental factors favor decomposition by soil microbes. They use chunks of carrots for the materials to be decomposed, and their experiments are carried out in plastic bags filled with dirt. Every few days students remove the carrots from the dirt and weigh them. Depending on the experimental conditions, after a few weeks most of the carrots have decomposed completely.

Travel underground for an up-close look at the ants, amoebas, and bacteria that maintain healthy soil. Glimpse this microscopic world and learn about the symbiotic relationship between fungi and tree roots. [2:49] Support materials for students is provided.

Join chefs and their microbe assistants in the kitchen! These scientists and chefs will talk about the science behind fermentation as well as share the fermented culinary inventions of past, present, and future.

Animated introductory film on the basics of organisms from the Kingdom Fungi. Learn about what they are, how they live, and why they are important to us. [5:34]