Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts. The 2nd edition has been revised to incorporate clearer, more current, and more dynamic explanations, while maintaining the same organization as the first edition. Art and illustrations have been substantially improved, and the textbook features additional assessments and related resources.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Identify the general and special senses in humans
Describe three important steps in sensory perception
Explain the concept of just-noticeable difference in sensory perception

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

Explain in what way smell and taste stimuli differ from other sensory stimuli
Identify the five primary tastes that can be distinguished by humans
Explain in anatomical terms why a dog’s sense of smell is more acute than a human’s

A written assignment that asks students to locate and compare two reviews of the same piece from different locations/periods, including specific features to discuss from both reviews. This prompt is best suited to advanced music majors familiar with research and musical reception, ideally within a class focused on a specific composer or genre.