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:

Explain fetal development during the three trimesters of gestation
Describe labor and delivery
Compare the efficacy and duration of various types of contraception
Discuss causes of infertility and the therapeutic options available

In this Science NetLinks lesson, students are introduced to the basics of how a baby grows inside its mother until its birth. They then consider and discuss the birthing process. Then students are led into the third part of the lesson, which focuses on the early years of infancy. They are prompted to think about the kinds of basic needs infants have and the critical role adults play in ensuring a baby's healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive development.