The nature of Science and the characteristics of life -- Unit 1. Cells: the basic units of life. The chemistry of life -- Cell structure and internal compartments -- Cell membranes, transport, and communication -- Energy, metabolism, and enzymes -- Photosynthesis and cellular respiration -- Cell division -- Cancer and human health -- Unit 2. Genetics. Patterns of inheritance -- Chromosomes and human genetics -- DNA and genes -- From gene to protein -- DNA technology -- Unit 3. Evolution. How evolution works -- The origins of species -- The evolutionary history of life -- Bacteria, archaea, and viruses -- Protista, plantae, and fungi -- Animalia -- Unit 4. The biosphere. Growth of populations -- Animal behavior -- Ecological communities -- Ecosystems -- Global change.