Prior Educational Resources: 18 books

Taxonomy starts by considering binomial nomenclature and then relates this essential topic to the hierarchical system that is used internationally to classify organisms. It explains several guiding principles of taxonomy, such as evolution and biochemistry before it concludes with the domain and kingdom...

Microbiology considers two major groups of microscopic entities: viruses and bacteria. The unit starts by questioning the requirements of life and whether viruses can be considered living. It considers the structure of bacteriophage T4 before delving into the topics of the lytic and lysogenic cycles....

~~Ecology begins by considering the energy flow through an ecosystem with its presentation of the Laws of Thermodynamics, energy pyramids, food chains and food webs. It considers the interrelationship between photosynthesis and respiration before it focuses on the biology of populations. This part...

Plants with Seeds, spermopsids, opens with a presentation of the transport system and reproductive strategies of these plants. These are key topics for making distinctions among the spermopsids. It then focuses specifically on gymnosperms and angiosperms. The consideration of angiosperms delves into...

Evolution logically begins with a consideration of the structure and evolutionary role of DNA. The unit recognizes that evolutionary change occurs as a result of both natural and artificial mechanisms. Human activity promoting changes is examined as well as the impacts of agents such as genetic drift...

Higher Invertebrates picks up where the study guide, Lower Invertebrates, leaves off. Here, the focus is on invertebrates that have a coelom, therefore the structures and specializations for life functions of annelids (earthworms, in particular), mollusks, echinoderms (specifically sea stars) and...

Because Lower Invertebrates includes the simplest of animals, this unit introduces the phylogeny of the whole animal kingdom as well as body plan features that are applicable to all animals. The focus in this study unit is on animals that do not have coeloms namely sponges, jellyfish, flatworms and...

Chordates begins with a presentation of their identifying features before it focuses on the specific features of seven major classes: three classes of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. For each class, anatomy and lifestyle are key topics. The level of development and specialization of...

Respiratory System is a presentation of the human respiratory system although many of the details are transferrable to other animals as well. It begins with an examination of the structures and functions involved with external respiration across the surface of alveoli before it considers the mechanics...

The Chemistry of Life is an essential topic for understanding how and why tissues and organ-systems function the way they do. Starting with the water molecule, this unit goes on to consider acids and bases before it delves into the biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids....

Nervous System is a presentation of the human nervous system although many of the details are transferrable to other animals as well. It begins with a consideration of the structure and function of the components of the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. The unit then...

Seedless Plants focuses on three major plant groups: algae (particularly green algae), moss and ferns. In each case, specific attention is paid to structure and reproductive cycles. The unit includes a discussion of the hardships on land for plants that depend on water for the motility of their sperm....

Circulatory System is a presentation of the human circulatory system although many of the details are transferrable to other animals as well. It begins with an examination of heart structure and function, including the cardiac cycle and blood pressure. The unit then considers the general structures...

Primarily directed towards the function and structure of animal cells, Cell Structures starts with the nucleus and its interaction with the rest of the cell. A second major focus in the unit is the secretory pathway where the functional inter-relationships between several membrane-bound organelles...