The following list shows the chapter-level topics and assignments for the course. To see all of the course pages, visit the Table of Contents.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Biology

• Properties of Life
• Levels of Organization of Living Things
• Introduction to Taxonomy
• The Diversity of Life
• Phylogenetic Trees
• Taxonomy
• Branches of Biology
• The Nature of Science
• Scientific Inquiry
• Basic and Applied Science

Chapter 2: Chemistry of Life

• Atoms
• Isotopes
• Arrangement of Electrons
• Chemical Bonding
• Iconic Bonds
• Covalent Bonds
• Hydrogen Bonds
• van der Waals Interactions
• Why Life Depends on Water
• Buffers, pH, Acids and Bases

Chapter 3: Important Macromolecules

• Carbon and Carbon Bonding
• Structure and Function of Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Protein Structure
• Function of Proteins
• Structure of Nucleic Acids
• DNA and RNA

Chapter 4: Cellular Structure

• Cell Theory
• Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
• Eukaryotic Origins
• Plant Cell Structure
• Animal Cell Structure
• Cytoplasm
• The Plasma Membrane, Cytoskeleton, and Flagella and Cilia
• The Endomembrane System
• Vesicles, Vacuoles, Ribosomes, Mitochondria, and Peroxisomes
• Animal Cells versus Plant Cells

Chapter 5: Cell Membranes

• Structure of the Cell Membrane
• Passive Transport
• Active Transport
• Membranes and Transport
• Endocytosis
• Exocytosis

Chapter 6: Metabolic Pathways

• ATP in Living Systems
• An Overview of Photosynthesis
• The Light-Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis
• The Calvin Cycle
• Summary: Photosynthesis
• Metabolic Pathways
• Thermodynamics
• Energy
• Enzymes
• Summary: Energy and Metabolism
• Glycolysis
• Citric Acid Cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation
• Cellular Respiration
• Introduction to Fermentation
• Types of Fermentation
• Connections to Other Metabolic Pathways

Chapter 7: Cell Division

• DNA and Chromosomes
• Chromosome Structure
• Interphase
• Mitosis
• Cytokinesis
• Mitosis: The Complete Cycle
• Control of the Cell Cycle
• Cancer and the Cell Cycle
• Sexual Reproduction
• Stages of Meiosis
• Meiosis I
• Meiosis II
• Meiosis: The Complete Cycle
• Genetic Variation in Meiosis
• Mitosis, Meiosis, and Sexual Reproduction
• Introduction to Errors in Chromosome Number
• Karyotypes
• Common Disorders

Chapter 8: DNA Structure and Replication

• Structure of DNA
• Genetic Information
• Basics of DNA Replication
• Major Enzymes
• Proofreading DNA
• Viral Morphology
• Bacteriophage Reproductive Cycles
• Prions and Viroids

Chapter 9: DNA Transcription and Translation

• Steps of Transcription
• pre-RNA and mRNA
• Requirements for Translation
• Genetic Code
• Steps of Translation
• The Central Dogma
• What is a Mutation?
• Major Types of Mutations

Chapter 10: Gene Expression

• Expression of Genes
• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
• Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes
• Eukaryotic Epigenetic Gene Regulation
• Eukaryotic Transcription Gene Regulation
• Post-Translational Control of Gene Expression

Chapter 11: Trait Inheritance

• Mendel’s Experiments and Heredity
• Characteristics and Traits
• Laws of Inheritance
• Heredity
• Non-Mendelian Inheritance
• Non-Mendelian Punnett Squares
• Multiple Alleles
• Pedigrees and Disease
• Pedigree Flowchart
• Genetic Disorder and Pedigrees
• Polygenic Inheritance and Environmental Effects
• Effect of the Environment
• Pleiotropy and Human Disorders

Chapter 12: Theory of Evolution

• Darwin and Descent with Modification
• Darwin and the Theory of Evolution
• Natural Selection
• Physical Evidence
• Biological Evidence
• Misconceptions of Evolution
• Population Genetics
• Selective and Environmental Pressures
• Genetic Variation and Drift
• Scientific Classification
• Structure of Phylogenetic Trees
• Limitations of Phylogenetic Trees

Chapter 13: Modern Biology

• Manipulating Genetic Material
• DNA Sequencing
• Cloning
• Genetic Engineering
• Medicinal Biotechnology
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Biotechnology at the Cutting Edge
• Genetic Information Used for Identification
• Medical Uses of Genetic Information
• Genomics in Agriculture