From Molecules to the Biochemistry of Cells

Fundamentals of Biology 1

This textbook introduces biology as an interdisciplinary science, linking physics and chemistry to biological processes. Based on an evolutionary narrative, the focus is on the molecular composition and biochemistry of cells. It is designed for students seeking an integrated introduction to biology.

This textbook introduces biology as an interdisciplinary science, linking physics and chemistry to biological processes that operate within the laws of thermodynamics. Based on an evolutionary narrative, the focus is on the molecular composition and the biochemistry of cells. By grounding biology in its molecular foundations, this approach reveals unifying principles underlying life's diversity and provides a conceptual framework for biological complexity. Core concepts include macromolecular structure and function, information encoding and decoding, and universal principles of energy conversion.

Key Features

• Reflects a novel biology teaching approach
• Uses evolution as the unifying framework
• Introduces a narrative towards complexity in life
• Bridges chemistry and physics to make molecular biology accessible
• Focuses on bacteria and archaea as the simplest life forms to illustrate fundamental principles
• Progresses from molecules through molecular interactions to cellular processes
• Highlights key biological concepts with summaries and reflective questions

This textbook is designed for students seeking an integrated introduction to biology that connects molecular mechanisms to cellular structures.