Biology is designed for multi-semester biology courses for science majors. It is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand. To meet the needs of today’s instructors and students, some content has been strategically condensed while maintaining the overall scope and coverage of traditional texts for this course. Instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand—and apply—key concepts.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Define matter and elementsDescribe the interrelationship between protons, neutrons, and electronsCompare the ways in which electrons can be donated or shared between atomsExplain the ways in which naturally occurring elements combine to create molecules, cells, tissues, organ systems, and organisms

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Define matter and elementsDescribe the interrelationship between protons, neutrons, and electronsCompare the ways in which electrons can be donated or shared between atomsExplain the ways in which naturally occurring elements combine to create molecules, cells, tissues, organ systems, and organisms

In this video adapted from NASA, two members of a NASA research team working to produce carbon nanotubes share some background behind this new technology, show examples of how it will be useful, and explain the various tests being performed to ensure readiness for spaceflight.

Metals are grouped according to their characteristics. This video segment uses the periodic table for an in-depth discussion.

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, follow scientists in their quest to understand how stable elements are made and how to create the elusive element 114.

This video segment adapted from NOVA explains the origin of the elements and how scientists use unique element profiles to identify supernova types.

This resource is an interactive website assignment, which will allow students to explore the organization and elements of the periodic table. The resource includes a link to an outside source (interactive periodic table). The atomic number, atomic mass, period #, group #, classification, melting point, atomic radius, electronegativity, state of matter, boiling point, outer orbital, and abundance of each element can be found in the outside source. This resource will allow students to see for themselves how the periodic table is organized and the different properties of the elements, along with requiring them to answer various questions relating to the topics above.

This interactive periodic table developed for Teachers' Domain provides detailed information about the chemical properties of elements and illustrates the electron configurations that determine those characteristics.

In this interactive periodic table from the NOVA Web site, find out the role of various elements in making fireworks.