Incluye referencias bibliográficas e índice.

Unit 1. The molecular origin and evolution of life -- Water and carbon : The chemical basis of life -- Protein structure and function -- Nucleic acids and the RNA world -- An introduction to carbohydrates -- Lipids, membranes, and the first cells -- Unit 2. Cell structure and function -- Inside the cell -- Energy and enzymes : An introduction to metabolism -- Cellular respiration and fermentation -- Photosynthesis -- Cell-cell interactions -- The cell cycle -- Unit 3. Gene structure and expression -- Meiosis -- Mendel and the gene -- DNA and the gene : Synthesis and repair -- How genes work -- Transcription, RNA processing, and translation -- Control of gene expression in bacteria -- Control of gene expression in eukaryotes -- The molecular revolution : Biotechnology and beyond -- Genes, development, and evolution -- Unit 4. Evolutionary patterns and processes -- Evolution by natural selection -- Evolutionary processes -- Speciation -- Phylogenies and the history of life -- Unit 5. The diversification of life -- Bacteria and archaea -- Protists -- Green algae and land plants -- Fungi -- An introduction to animals -- Protostome animals -- Deuterostome animals -- Viruses -- Unit 6. How plants work -- Plant form and function -- Water and sugar transport in plants -- Plant nutrition -- Plant sensory systems, signals, and responses -- Plant reproduction and development -- Unit 7. How animals work -- Animal form and function -- Water and electrolyte balance in animals -- Animal nutrition -- Gas exchange and circulation -- Animal nervous systems -- Animal sensory systems -- Animal movement -- Chemical signals in animals -- Animal reproduction and development -- The immune system in animals -- Unit 8. Ecology -- Behavioral ecology -- Population ecology -- Community ecology -- Ecosystems and global ecology -- Biodiversity and conservation biology.