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 unifying characteristics of eukaryotes
Describe what scientists know about the origins of eukaryotes based on the last common ancestor
Explain the endosymbiotic theory

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

Describe the structure of eukaryotic cells
Compare animal cells with plant cells
State the role of the plasma membrane
Summarize the functions of the major cell organelles

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

Describe the cytoskeleton
Compare the roles of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules
Compare and contrast cilia and flagella
Summarize the differences among the components of prokaryotic cells, animal cells, and plant cells

This pathway explores the different types of cells, including eukaryotic, prokaryotic and plant cells, and their structures.

This pathway provides an introduction to cells as the basic unit of life and their structure and function. Prokaryotic, eukaryotic and plant cells are compared and the structure and function of different organelles is discussed. For a deeper look at this topic, we recommend the pathway Cell Structure from the OpenStax textbook Biology for AP® Courses.

Eukaryotic cells have separate DNA from mitochondria and chloroplasts which indicates that they were once primitive cells on their own. This multimedia article includes animations, pictures, video, biographical information, and quiz questions that are accessed by clicking on buttons along the bottom of the page.

This is a thorough site which contains a glossary of plant/animal cell anatomy terms. Diagrams of both cells are included along with worksheets to label.

This site features a clear picture of the plant cell with a concise explanation of its key parts and their functions.

Learn about the endosymbiotic theory. This theory explains the evolution of cells from a mitochondria and chloroplast working together in a symbiotic relationship to the current cell structure.

Understand the structure and function of the powerhouse of the cell, the mitochondria. [2:40]

Discover how mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited, and complete a pedigree chart by determining which individuals might share mtDNA with an unknown ancestor.

Very good science e-book that details why cells are the fundamental unit of life and why our health depends on what happens within the many different cells that make up our body. Each chapter is presented separately and the book can also be downloaded as a whole.

In this video segment from An Introduction to the Living Cell, explore the inner workings of a cell, including some of its most important organelles. [3:47]

Video lesson provides an overview of animal and plant cells while covering cell walls, vacuoles, chloroplasts, peroxisomes, lysosomes, mitochondria, etc. [8:41]

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.

This video segment describes the critical role that mitochondria play in nearly every cellular process in your body.