Conceptual Biology

Presented in a storytelling manner, Conceptual Biology maps out the overarching and interconnected concepts of the science of life. We begin with an in-depth review of the chemistry needed to understand and appreciate the molecular nature of life. From this foundation, we explore the nature of cells, genetics, and inheritance, which sets the stage for “getting” evolution and the diversity of life. From there the journey continues into human anatomy and physiology culminating in an exploration of populations, communities, and ecosystems of which we humans are an integral part. Throughout, the concepts of biology are connected to a student’s daily life with relevant examples from medicine, nutrition, health, and biotechnology. Our main goal: nurturing a student’s curiosity and respect for the wonders of our living world.

Table of Videos

• Chapter 1: About Science
  • 1.1 What is Life?
  • 1.2 The Scientific Method
  • 1.3 Science and Technology
  • 1.4 Facts, Laws, and Theories
  • 1.5 Working with Numbers
  • 1.6 LE: What Is Biogeology?
  • 1S Chapter Summary
  • 1Q Chapter Questions
  • 2.1 Atoms and Molecules
  • 2.2 Chemical Compounds
  • 2.3 Mixtures
  • 2.4 Chemical Reactions
  • 2.5 Types of Reactions
  • 2.6 Organic Molecules
  • 2.7 Macromolecules for Life
  • 2.8 LE: Isotopic Dating
  • 2S Chapter Summary
  • 2Q Chapter Questions
  • 3.1 What Is a Cell?
  • 3.2 Cell Theory
  • 3.3 Looking at Cells
  • 3.4 The Eukaryotic Cell
  • 3.5 The Cell Membrane
  • 3.6 Cell Organelles
  • 3.7 LE: Geologic Time
  • 3S Chapter Summary
  • 3Q Chapter Questions
  • 4.1 Cellular Transport
  • 4.2 Cell Communication
  • 4.3 ATP and Chemical Reactions
  • 4.4 Enzymes
  • 4.5 Photosynthesis
  • 4.6 Cellular Respiration
  • 4.7 Glycolysis (Honors)
  • 4.8 LE: Plate Tectonics
  • 4S Chapter Summary
  • 4Q Chapter Questions
  • 5.1 What is a Gene?
  • 5.2 Chromosomes
  • 5.3 The Structure of DNA
  • 5.4 How DNA Is Copied
  • 5.5 How Proteins Are Built
  • 5.6 Genetic Mutations
  • 5.7 LE: History of Earth's Atmosphere
  • 5S Chapter Summary
  • 5Q Chapter Questions
  • 6.1 How Cells Reproduce
  • 6.2 Cell Division and Genetic Diversity
  • 6.3 Traits and Inheritance
  • 6.4 First Law of Inheritance
  • 6.5 Second Law of Inheritance
  • 6.6 Beyond Mendel
  • 6.7 LE: History within Earth's Ice Caps
  • 6S Chapter Summary
  • 6Q Chapter Questions
  • 7.1 The Human Genome
  • 7.2 Genetic Testing
  • 7.3 Cancer
  • 7.4 DNA Technologies
  • 7.5 Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes
  • 7.6 Genome Editing with CRISPR-Cas9
  • 7.7 Concerns About DNA Technology
  • 7.8 LE: Engineering Planetary Solutions
  • 7S Chapter Summary
  • 7Q Chapter Questions
  • 8.1 The Origin of Life
  • 8.2 Is There Life on Mars or Venus?
  • 8.3 Charles Darwin
  • 8.4 Natural Selection
  • 8.5 Examples of Natural Selection
  • 8.6 Adaptation
  • 8.7 LE: Earth's Geologic History
  • 8S Chapter Summary
  • 8Q Chapter Questions
  • 9.1 Mechanisms of Evolution
  • 9.2 How New Species Form
  • 9.3 Natural Selection in Action
  • 9.4 Fossils
  • 9.5 Body Structures and Genetics
  • 9.6 Biogeography
  • 9.7 The Evolution of Humans
  • 9.8 LE: Plate Tectonics
  • 9S Chapter Summary
  • 9Q Chapter Questions
  • 10.1 Classifying Life
  • 10.2 Evolutionary Trees
  • 10.3 Three Domains of Life
  • 10.4 Bacteria
  • 10.5 Archaea
  • 10.6 Protists
  • 10.7 Plants
  • 10.8 LE: Life's Impact On Earth
  • 10S Chapter Summary
  • 10Q Chapter Questions
  • 11.1 Fungi
  • 11.2 Animals Part 1
  • 11.3 Animals Part 2
  • 11.4 Animals Part 3
  • 11.5 Viruses and Prions
  • 11.6 Life Is Interconnected
  • 11.7 LE: The Impact of Natural Hazards
  • 11S Chapter Summary
  • 11Q Chapter Questions
  • 12.1 Organization of the Human Body
  • 12.2 Homeostasis
  • 12.3 The Brain
  • 12.4 The Nervous System
  • 12.5 How Neurons Fire
  • 12.6 How Neurons Communicate
  • 12.7 The Senses
  • 12.8 LE: Cultures and the Environment
  • 12S Chapter Summary
  • 12Q Chapter Questions
  • 13.1 Hormones
  • 13.2 Reproduction
  • 13.3 Development
  • 13.4 The Skeleton
  • 13.5 Muscles
  • 13.6 LE: Modeling Climate
  • 13S Chapter Summary
  • 13Q Chapter Questions
  • 14.1 The Circulatory System
  • 14.2 The Path of Blood Flow
  • 14.3 Blood
  • 14.4 Respiration
  • 14.5 Digestion
  • 14.6 LE: Ocean Acidification
  • 14S Chapter Summary
  • 14Q Chapter Questions
  • 15.1 Nutrition, Exercise, and Health
  • 15.2 The Excretory System
  • 15.3 The Innate Immune System
  • 15.4 The Acquired Immune System
  • 15.5 LE: Regenerative Agriculture
  • 15S Chapter Summary
  • 15Q Chapter Questions
  • 16.1 Organisms and Their Environments
  • 16.2 Population Growth
  • 16.3 Life History
  • 16.4 Human Population Growth
  • 16.5 LE: Availability of Natural Resources
  • 16S Chapter Summary
  • 16Q Chapter Questions
  • 17.1 Food Webs
  • 17.2 Competition
  • 17.3 Symbiosis
  • 17.4 Invasive Species
  • 17.5 LE: Sustainability and Biodiversity
  • 17S Chapter Summary
  • 17Q Chapter Questions
  • 18.1 Terrestrial Biomes
  • 18.2 Aquatic Biomes
  • 18.3 Biogeochemical Cycles
  • 18.4 Energy Flow in Ecosystems
  • 18.5 Ecological Succession
  • 18.6 LE: Global Climate Change
  • 18S Chapter Summary
  • 18Q Chapter Questions