This landing page includes learning modules on the following topics of: animals, plants, microorganisms, life cycles and reproductions, food chains, habits, humans and the environment, adaptation, inheritance, and evolution.
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:
Discuss the need for a comprehensive classification system
List the different levels of the taxonomic classification system
Describe how systematics and taxonomy relate to phylogeny
Discuss a phylogenetic tree's components and purpose
Explore the diversity and taxonomy of the plant kingdom.
A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.
This 13-minute video lesson looks at the science of taxonomy and where humans fit into the tree of life. [Biology playlist: Lesson 62 of 71].
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.
In the animal kingdom, there are seven living classes in the phylum Vertebrata. The Palomar College shares detailed information on each of these classes. Includes examples and photos as well as a follow-up quiz.
A great overview of the science of classification. Topics addressed include summaries of the five kingdoms, the seven taxa, the definition of a species and the classification of the panda.
Introduction to the characteristics found in different animals and using the book: Feathers and hair, what animals wearAuthor:Jennifer Ward; Jing Jing Tsong
Each plant is classified according to broad categories based on characteristics they share. New DNA technology has allowed us to be more specific in determining the “relatives” of plants. This activity helps students understand the various ways of classifying to show these different relationships. Use HHMI Biointeractive Click and Learn lesson: Creating Phylogenetic Trees from DNA Sequences for additional background information. This unit features 5 lessons and 9 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.
Learn the system that scientists use to classify living things.
A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.
Discover the diversity of plants.
A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.
When you see an organism that you have never seen before, you probably put it into a group without even thinking. If it is green and leafy, you probably call it a plant. If it is long and slithers, you probably call it as a snake. How do you make these decisions? You look at the physical features of the organism and think about what it has in common with other organisms. Learn more about the organization of living things in this learning module produced by CK-12.
A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.
Taxonomists organize the diversity of life. Aristotle was the first to attempt to do this. Then in the 1700s Linnaeus introduced the idea of genus and species. Later Darwin revolutionized science with the idea that species can change over time and that all animals may have a common ancestor. For centuries taxonomists have been organizing the diversity of life. Classification of the human species is used as an example. [2:52]
The Tree of Life is a multi-authored, Internet distributed project containing information about phylogeny and biodiversity. The Tree of Life can be used to locate information about a particular group of organisms through their taxonomy.
The Tree of Life Web Project contains information on living organisms including their history and characteristics. Over 3,000 web pages are linked together uniting all living things.
This University of California Museum of Paleontology offers a very detailed biography of Carl Von Linne, also known as Carl Linnaeus.
Learn how to read and draw phylogenetic trees, or cladograms. [10:57]
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.
