C907 is a foundational introduction to biology: the big ideas that every later life science course builds on.
WGU describes Introduction to Biology as a foundational introduction to the biological sciences, and lists no prerequisites. It is the prerequisite for C889 Molecular and Cellular Biology in WGU's science education programs. Courses of this kind explore the overarching theories of life and how living organisms interact with their environment.
The challenge is not difficulty but breadth. A wide range of topics arrives quickly, and the course rewards understanding the connecting themes rather than memorizing facts.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course code | C907 |
| Subject area | Introductory biology |
| Prerequisites | None listed |
| Leads to | C889 Molecular and Cellular Biology |
| Typical work | Written explanation or exam; check your course page |
Big Ideas in C907
| Theme | Core question |
|---|---|
| Energy | How do living things obtain, use and produce energy? |
| Growth and reproduction | How does life grow, develop and reproduce? |
| Homeostasis | How do organisms keep internal conditions stable? |
| Evolution | How do populations change and adapt over time? |
| Interactions | How do organisms depend on each other and their environment? |
Key Concepts Explained
Energy Flows, Matter Cycles
Photosynthesis captures light energy and stores it in sugar. Cellular respiration releases that energy as ATP. Energy flows through ecosystems and is lost as heat at each step, while carbon, nitrogen and water cycle repeatedly.
Example: A carbon atom in atmospheric CO2 is fixed into glucose by grass, eaten by a rabbit, released as CO2 when the rabbit respires, and taken up again by another plant. The energy in that glucose, by contrast, is used once and ends as heat.
DNA, Genes and Inheritance
DNA carries genetic instructions. Genes code for proteins, which build structures and run chemical reactions. Sexual reproduction mixes genes from two parents, creating variation; asexual reproduction produces near-identical offspring.
Homeostasis
Organisms keep conditions such as temperature, water balance and blood sugar within limits, mostly through negative feedback.
Example: When you overheat, receptors in the skin and brain detect the rise. The brain triggers sweating and widens skin blood vessels. Evaporation and heat loss bring body temperature back down.
Natural Selection
Individuals vary; some variation is inherited; more offspring are produced than survive; individuals with traits suited to the environment tend to survive and reproduce more. Over generations, those traits become more common.
The Cell as the Unit of Life
Cell theory states that all living things are made of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and new cells come from existing cells. Prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) lack a nucleus; eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, fungi, protists) have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Many later topics, from respiration to inheritance, take place inside cells, so a clear picture of cell structure pays off throughout the course.
Evolution as the Unifying Theme
Evolution ties the other themes together. It explains why organisms share DNA and cell structures, why adaptations match environments, and why species respond to changes such as antibiotics or climate.
Example: When antibiotics are used, bacteria with a resistance mutation survive while others die. The survivors reproduce, so resistance spreads through the population. The individual bacteria did not choose to adapt; the population changed because of selection.
Writing about evolution precisely matters. Avoid saying organisms "try" or "need" to adapt. Populations evolve; individuals do not.
Typical Tasks and How to Approach Them
| Task type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Process explanation | Understanding | Describe the steps and why they matter |
| Scenario analysis | Applying concepts | Name the concept, then apply it to the case |
| Compare and contrast | Precise distinctions | Use a table, then interpret it |
| Vocabulary | Scientific language | Define terms in your own words |
Where Students Get Stuck
- Teleological language. "Giraffes grew long necks to reach leaves" misstates evolution.
- Photosynthesis and respiration. Plants do both; respiration happens in all living cells.
- Energy recycling. Matter cycles, energy does not.
- Memorizing lists. Connect each fact to one of the big themes.
Study Tips for C907
- Organize your notes under the big themes rather than chapter by chapter.
- Explain each process aloud in under a minute.
- Draw the carbon cycle and an energy pyramid from memory.
- Use flashcards for vocabulary, reviewing a few each day.
How We Help with C907
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Frequently Asked Questions
WGU lists no prerequisites for Introduction to Biology.
In WGU's science education programs, Introduction to Biology is the prerequisite for C889 Molecular and Cellular Biology.
How organisms use and produce energy; how life grows, develops and reproduces; how it maintains internal stability; and how it evolves and adapts.
It is broad rather than deep. Organizing your study around the big themes makes it manageable.
No. We never take exams or log in for students. We provide explanations and study notes.
No. We are independent and not connected with Western Governors University.