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:

Describe the relationship of amplitude and frequency of a sound wave to attributes of sound
Trace the path of sound through the auditory system to the site of transduction of sound
Identify the structures of the vestibular system that respond to gravity

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

Discuss the different types of skeletal systems
Explain the role of the human skeletal system
Compare and contrast different skeletal systems

Explores the theory and practice of scientific modeling in the context of auditory and speech biophysics. Based principally on seminar-style discussions of the research literature, subject draws on examples from hearing and speech (e.g., cochlear and vocal-fold mechanics) to explore general, meta-theoretical issues that transcend the particular subject matter. Examples include: What is a model? What is the process of model building? What are the different approaches to modeling? What is the relationship between theory and experiment? How are models tested? What constitutes a good model?

Experimental approaches to the study of the auditory periphery, presented through lectures by faculty and presentations of primary literature by students. Topics include: functional anatomy of the inner ear, transduction by hair cells, synaptic transmission, endocochlear potential, outer hair cells and their electromotility, responses of auditory nerve fibers, efferent control of cochlear function, inner-ear development, and damage and repair of hair-cell organs. Evaluations of students based on oral and written presentations, laboratory exercises, a final examination, and participation in discussions.

Physical and physiological mechanisms underlying the transduction and analysis of acoustic signals in the auditory periphery. Topics include the acoustics, mechanics, and hydrodynamics of sound transmission; the biophysical basis for cochlear amplification; the physiology of hair-cell transduction and synaptic transmission; efferent feedback control; the analysis and coding of simple and complex sounds by the inner ear; and the physiological bases for hearing disorders. Based primarily on reading and discussions of original research literature. Topics for this course are based primarily on reading and discussions of original research literature that cover the analysis as well as the underlying physical and physiological mechanisms of acoustic signals in the auditory periphery. Topics include the acoustics, mechanics, and hydrodynamics of sound transmission; the biophysical basis for cochlear amplification; the physiology of hair-cell transduction and synaptic transmission; efferent feedback control; the analysis and coding of simple and complex sounds by the inner ear; and the physiological bases for hearing disorders.