Unit 1 – Basics of Biology        

Chapter & TitleTopicsPages

   

1 LifeWhat are the characteristics of life?1-7
2 Scientific MethodHow does one establish an accurate hypothesis?8-18
3 Sorting LifeHow does one organize the vast variety of life?19-27
4 Atoms & BondsBasic chemistry is needed for biology.28-39
5 Life CompoundsOrganic chemistry for living organisms40-53
6 CellsCells are considered to be the basic unit of life.54-63
7 Design in BiologyWas there a designer of life or is it an illusion?64-71

 
Unit 2 – Survey of Living Things 

8 MicroscopyWhat enables us to see very small living things?72-77
9 ProkaryotesSingle-celled bacteria and archaea78-87
10 ProtistaA collection which may seem arbitrary88-96
11 FungiAmong other functions, these are our recyclers97-106
12 PlantsCovers plants, photosynthesis and communication107-120
13 Invertebrates 1A “sponge” is not the same as a “leech”.121-129
14 Invertebrates 2Half of all animal organisms are in one class.130-142
15 Chordates 1Essentially wet animals with a notochord or spine143-155
16 Chordates 2More animals with a spine156-170

 
Unit 3 – Environment & Ecology 

17 Our GalaxyWe live in a cosmos perfectly suited for us.171-178
18 Our Planet“What a Beautiful World”179-193
19 BiosphereWhat are biospheres and what kinds are there?194-205
20 Species LossesCautionary stories of delicate balances206-217

 
Unit 4 – A Closer Look at Cells 

21 Cell MembraneThe gatekeeper & barrier218-224
22 Biologic EnergyCellular respiration provides the energy for life.225-233
23 Energy & ActionDramatic examples of cells harnessing energy.234-241
24 GeneticsPatterns of heredity242-256
25 DNA & RNAThe Intelligently Designed code257-269
26 RNA & ProteinsRNA’s, protein synthesis and gene expression270-277
27 MitosisChromosomes and mitosis278-283
28 MeiosisMeiosis and when it goes wrong284-292

 
Unit 5 – Noncellular Infectious Agents, Immunology & Biotechnology 

29 VirusesNon-cellular infectious agents293-302
30 ImmunologyDefending the body from attack303-316
31 Biotechnology 1Exciting possibilities and potential ethical issues317-331
32 Biotechnology 2Stem cells & CRISPR332-343
33 Biotechnology 3Gene drives, cloning, making organs & life344-353

 
Unit 6 – Origins 

34 Origin of LifeHow did life get started?354-363
35 Evolution 1Charles Darwin, natural selection & mutations364-373
36 Evolution 2Paleontology & other issues374-388
37 Evolution 3Evolution of man and other fantasies389-402


  Appendix 

A1Productive study habitsi - vi
A2Big & small numbers in Biologyvii - viii

 

 Glossary

Index

Credits