An Interactive Introduction to Organismal and Molecular Biology, 2021

INTRODUCTION
Andrea Bierema
This “textbook” is interactive, meaning that although each chapter has text, they also have interactive
HTML5 content, such as quizzes, simulations, interactive videos, and images with clickable hotspots. Students
receive instant feedback when they complete the interactive content, and therefore, can learn and check their
understanding all in one place. I still consider this textbook to be fairly text-heavy and will continue to make it
even more interactive content!
The image on the cover and above represents the creation of this book. I pulled most of the content from
open resources, modified them, added questions, and now offer them for you to use!
I chose the content to align with two courses that I teach: environmental and organismal applications and
biomedical applications. Unit 1 introduces students to science, which both courses use. Unit 2 covers content
necessary for understanding conservation implications (the underlying theme of the course is de-extinction),
and Unit 3 focuses on proteins so that students can understand the implications of modifying DNA (the
underlying theme is CRISPR).
Please use this book as you see fit for your classes. I look forward to hearing how to make this book even more
useful in the future!