Connect with biology. Life Matters explores the biology that affects all of us every day. The text presents fundamental biological concepts with a unique conceptual, hands-on approach. By investigating the importance of biology and its relation to other academic disciplines beyond the basic scientific facts, students will better navigate difficult decisions involving health, the environment, business, and society. The text explores the subject from a global perspective, highlighting engaging Canadian examples wherever relevant. Using an approach that helps students relate biology to their own fields of study and to their lives, Life Matters will engage students in the diverse field of biology.

Chapter 1: Biology in Your Life
Chapter 2: Life: Diverse, Complex, and Always Changing
Chapter 3: The Cell Is the Basic Unit of Life
Chapter 4: Life Is a Transfer of Energy
Chapter 5: Harvesting and Utilizing Energy In Cells
Chapter 6: A Cell’s Life
Chapter 7: Gaining Genetic Diversity
Chapter 8: Genes and Patterns of Inheritance
Chapter 9: DNA Structure and Replication
Chapter 10: Gene Expression and Regulation
Chapter 11: Biotechnology
Chapter 12: Species: What Are They?
Chapter 13: Selection and Evolution
Chapter 14: Viruses
Chapter 15: Bacteria and Archaea
Chapter 16: Protists
Chapter 17: Plants
The Building Blocks of Biology (Purple Pages)
Chapter 18: Fungi
Chapter 19: Animals
Chapter 20: Organized to Survive and Prosper
Chapter 21: Obtaining Nutrients and Energy
Chapter 22: Support and Movement
Chapter 23: Gas Exchange
Chapter 24: Transport
Chapter 25: Water, Solutes, and Temperature
Chapter 26: Intercellular Communication
Chapter 27: Defence
Chapter 28: Reproduction and Development: Eggs, Sperm, Pollen, Spores,
Zygotes, and More
Chapter 29: Population Ecology
Chapter 30: Community and Ecosystem Ecology
Chapter 31: Conservation
Chapter 32: Behaviour
Chapter 33: Connecting You to Biology

Connect with biology. Life Matters explores the biology that affects all of us every day. The text presents fundamental biological concepts with a unique conceptual, hands-on approach. By investigating the importance of biology and its relation to other academic disciplines beyond the basic scientific facts, students will better navigate difficult decisions involving health, the environment, business, and society. The text explores the subject from a global perspective, highlighting engaging Canadian examples wherever relevant. Using an approach that helps students relate biology to their own fields of study and to their lives, Life Matters will engage students in the diverse field of biology. Each chapter includes Study Break questions at the end of the chapter’s major sections. They contain questions written by the authors to identify some of the important features of the section. Biology Is Everywhere boxes contain stories connecting biological concepts and everyday life. Many of these stories describe how biologists and non-biologists alike have used their ingenuity and creativity to expand our knowledge of biology. Others describe how people use biology for purposes far removed from scientific inquiry. Molecule behind the Biology boxes give readers a sense of the exciting impact of molecular research and how these impacts may affect them. A wide range of molecules are highlighted, including oxygen, testosterone, cholesterol, vitamin K2, and dopamine. Life on the Edge boxes provide accounts of biological extremes, including organisms thriving “on the edge” in unusual environmental conditions and novel biological applications that drive the future of biotechnology. These boxes also discuss how these biological extremes and their applications affect everyday life. Putting It in Perspective sections at the end of every chapter are intended to personalize the chapter content by making links between the subject matter and daily life. The Purple Pages reference section, entitled Building Blocks of Biology, outlines background material, including basic chemistry and physics concepts that support the study of biology. This reference information is important for understanding the content of all chapters in the book and is conveniently located for students in the middle of the book. Every chapter concludes with Key Concepts Review and Questions. This section includes a short description of key concepts from the chapter and questions—multiple choice, short answer, matching, and critical thinking— that test students’ knowledge of the key concepts.