Biology for Beginners

Biology for Beginners is a Breni path covering the science of living things, from the molecules inside cells to whole ecosystems. Its 8 courses cover what biology is, the chemistry of life, cells, energy, cell division, genetics, evolution and ecology. Learners finish able to explain photosynthesis and respiration, solve Punnett squares and trace energy through a food web. It suits adult beginners and students who want a clear refresher. Cells are taught before genetics because inheritance happens inside them, so each course opens only when the previous one is complete.

  • 8 courses
  • 10 learning objectives
  • Level: beginner
  • Language: English
  • Price: Subscription, free trial

What you will be able to do

  • Compare prokaryotic, plant and animal cells and name what each organelle does
  • Explain how diffusion, osmosis and active transport move substances across membranes
  • Write word equations for photosynthesis and aerobic respiration
  • Predict offspring ratios with a Punnett square
  • Explain how natural selection produces antibiotic resistance
  • Draw a food web and trace how energy flows through it

Full curriculum

Part 1 · Life at small scale

1. What Biology Is: Life at Small Scale

Describe what living things have in common and how biologists study them. Units, in order: The characteristics of living things; The scientific method in biology; Levels of organisation from molecules to ecosystems; Classifying living things; Using a microscope.

  • — Characteristics of Living Things
    Learn what makes something alive and active.
    • Living vs Non-Living
    • Main Life Signs
  • — The Scientific Method
    Discover how biologists test ideas and find facts.
    • Asking Questions
    • Testing with Experiments
  • — Levels of Life Organisation
    Explore life from tiny molecules up to giant ecosystems.
    • Cells and Tissues
    • From Organisms to Ecosystems
  • — Classifying Living Things
    Group living things by their traits and history.
    • Grouping Animals and Plants
    • Scientific Names
  • — Using a Microscope
    Learn how to look at tiny microscopic worlds.
    • Parts of a Microscope
    • Preparing a Slide

2. The Chemistry of Life

Explain the molecules that living things are built from. Units, in order: Water and why life depends on it; Carbohydrates and lipids; Proteins and their shapes; Nucleic acids; Enzymes and how they speed up reactions.

3. Cells

Describe how cells are built and how materials move in and out. Units, in order: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Organelles and what they do; Plant and animal cells compared; Diffusion and osmosis; Active transport.

4. Energy in Living Things

Explain how organisms capture and release energy. Units, in order: ATP as the energy currency of cells; Photosynthesis; Aerobic respiration; Anaerobic respiration and fermentation; What limits the rate of photosynthesis.

Part 2 · Inheritance

5. Cell Division and Reproduction

Explain how cells divide and how organisms reproduce. Units, in order: Mitosis; Meiosis; Sexual and asexual reproduction; The cell cycle and cancer; Reproduction in plants.

6. Genetics and DNA

Explain how traits pass from parents to offspring. Units, in order: DNA structure and replication; From genes to proteins; Mendel's laws and Punnett squares; Mutations; Genetic engineering and its debates.

Part 3 · Life at large scale

7. Evolution

Explain how populations change over time through natural selection. Units, in order: Variation and natural selection; Evidence for evolution; How new species form; Antibiotic resistance as evolution in action; The tree of life.

8. Ecology

Describe how organisms interact with each other and their environment. Units, in order: Food chains and food webs; Energy flow and nutrient cycles; Populations and communities; Biomes and biodiversity; Human impact on ecosystems.

Sample: What Biology Is: Life at Small Scale

The opening tier, (Characteristics of Living Things). Learn what makes something alive and active.

Living vs Non-Living

Tell if an object is alive or not alive.

Main Life Signs

Learn the key signs of all living things.

Questions about Biology for Beginners

Can I learn biology on my own?

Yes. Biology for Beginners on Breni starts with what makes something alive and builds up to genetics and ecosystems.

What are the main topics in biology?

Cells, the molecules of life, energy, genetics, evolution and ecology are the core topics. Each gets its own course here.

Is biology hard for beginners?

Most of biology builds from a few big ideas, such as cells and DNA. The path introduces new terms gradually rather than all at once.

Does this path help with school biology?

It covers topics found in most secondary school syllabuses, but it does not follow any one exam board.

Do I get a certificate in biology?

Completing all 8 courses earns a Breni certificate of completion.

Related learning paths

Start Biology for Beginners

Get Breni on Google Play and start Biology for Beginners Download on the App Store