Biology resources

Welcome to the newly revised and expanded biology webliography. Where there was once only one web page, there are now seven pages, each covering a cluster of life science subdisciplines, ranging from cell and molecular biology to ecology, evolution and systematics, as well as a page devoted to biology in the news. All pages offer a selection of useful links to complete with brief descriptions of what is available at the sites to which those links connect. In addition, there are two CBE style sheets for help in citing sources correctly in biology papers. One style sheet covers print sources, while the other deals with electronic sources such as web pages.

1. Anatomy, Physiology, Immunology, and Neurobiology
2. Animals and Plants
3. Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
4. CBE Style Guide
5. Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
6. Electronic Sources -- CBE Style
7. Genetics and Developmental Biology
8. Microbiology

Anatomy, Physiology, Immunology, and Neurobiology

Structure and functions of organs, tissues, and body systems.

• Allergy and Asthma Disease Management Center Abstracts and articles on allergies and asthma written for physicians, but accessible to the general public. Also case histories presented in an "ask the expert" section.
• Anatomically Correct -- Learn to Dissect a Cat Online "Here you can 'virtually' dissect a cat, view labeled diagrams, or even see live dissections to expand your knowledge on cat anatomy." Site includes Real Video movies of cat dissection (free Real Audio/Video required). It is also a Thinkquest site, and was created/last updated in 1998.
• Instant Anatomy Click on the virtual cadaver to see sketches of various body systems. Run your mouse over the labels on some sketches to see color coded body parts. Most sketches are styled like those in an anatomy coloring book. A useful site for students of anatomy at all levels, and the interested general public as well.
• Plastination Three dimensional preserved human specimens let one have a tour of the tissues of the brain, muscles, heart, and more. This scientific and educational site is not for the squeamish but will fascinate interested learners with any level of scientific background.

Back to the top of the page.

Animals and Plants

Links to botany and zoology web sites.

• Animals at Smithsonian's National Zoo Readable articles about animals on exhibit in the National Zoo in Washington, DC. The site features everything from naked molerats to Asian elephants. There are articles on conservation, basic biology, and even some web cams. Note: some of the web cams are not working and all of them require some form of streamed video (Real Video, Microsoft Media Player, or Quick Time).
• Biology Web Site References for Students and Teachers Extensive web bibliography in 13 biological areas. Subject areas for animals include anatomy & physiology as well as behavior. Plant subject areas cover anatomy and physiology.
• BSA Image Collection Contains collections of images of plants and plant parts. These pictures are to enhance botany coursework, and they are not images of pretty flowers. Still they can be useful for those learning to identify various plant species.
• Checklist of Online Vegetation and Plant Distribution Maps Links to maps of plant life all over the world.
• Dictionary of Botanical Epithets Find out what all those Latin names for plants really mean. Includes a cute cartoon and a very functional search engine. This site has not been updated in more than a year.
• Featured Creatures:The Good, the Bad, and the Pretty A search engine that leads to encyclopedia style articles on a large variety of insects and mites. The articles feature diagrams and illustrations, and you can search by scientific name, common name, habitat, or higher taxonomic classification.
• Georgia Wildflowers Photos of Georgia wildflowers arranged by genus and species. The list is short enough to browse, but it helps to have a plant's Latin name if you are looking for something in particular.
• The Hall of Mammals Mammal biology and systematics, arranged in easy to use taxonomic order and explained so that even the lay person can understand it. Plus links to a wide variety of mammal sites.
• The PLANTS Project Home Page "Provides a single source of general information about the plant kingdom to researchers and other people interested in plants." Information includes common names, descriptions, ecological background, and information on culture for crop plants.

Back to the top of the page.

Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

The chemical processes that underlie all life.

• Biomed Central Biochemistry A peer reviewed, refereed, primary literature, full text biochemistry journal, available for free on the internet. The journal has both a search engine and a browsable archive extending back to 2000. Some knowledge of biochemistry required. The journal's archive may no longer be entirely free full text.
• Biomed Central Structural Biology A peer reviewed, referred, primary literature, full text journal that focuses on macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. The journal has both a search engine and a browsable archive extending back to 2001. Knowledge of biochemistry is a must. The journal's archive may no longer be entirely free full text.
• Biosciences -- Index A searchable supermarket of bioscience links, including links to biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology sites. Particularly good for finding databases of protein and nucleotide sequences.
• Dictionary of Cell Biology Click the "search" link in the golden yellow bar on the left side of the page and then either search or browse for terms, or you can try the graphical interface which also has a link in the same bar. Definitions lack illustrations and are somewhat cryptic. Some knowledge of college level biology is useful to make the most of this resource. Note: sometimes a link that should lead to a definition gives an error message instead.
• Graphics Gallery "Graphics Gallery is a series of labeled diagrams with explanations representing the important processes of biotechnology. Each diagram is followed by a summary of information, providing a context for the process illustrated." Diagrams are available as PDF (requires Adobe Acrobat) for printing, and the explanations are accessible to any one with some high school biology background or a strong interest in the life sciences.
• Metabolic Pathways of Biochemistry An "online reference of metabolism for students, scientists, and the world. This site is designed to graphically represent all major metabolic pathways, primarily those important to human biochemistry." This site is static but stable. It has not received an update in several years.
• Molecular Biology Web Book Terse explanations of assorted biochemical processes that unfold inside cells. Topics covered include: cell division, aptosis, signalling, gene transcription, and much more. Clear color diagrams accompany the explanations and make them much more understandable. Some college biology is helpful for getting the most from this site.
• The Biology Project: Cell Biology Follow an illustrated mitosis guide or read the cell physiology overviews and then do the problem sets. The site's illustrations require no additional software, and it loads fast. This site has not been updated in more than a year.
• University of Minnesota Biocatalysis/Biodegradation Database Metabolic pathways for drugs, poisons, and other xenobiotic chemicals, all compiled into a searchable database. Some technical knowledge, especially college chemistry, is useful for understanding this resource.

Back to the top of the page.

CBE Style Guide

Help citing sources within your paper's text and preparing reference lists for science papers according to the Council for Biology Editors styles

• Citing Electronic References CBE stands for Council of Biology Editors, and their manual sets the style for citing sources in biology and other life sciences. This web page covers references both in the text and at the end of papers. Sources covered include a variety of electronic sources.
• Citing Print References CBE stands for Council of Biology Editors, and their manual sets the style for citing sources in biology and other life sciences. This web page covers references both in the text and at the end of papers. Sources covered include books, journal articles, and other print material.

Back to the top of the page.

Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics

Organisms', populations', and species' relationships, with their environment, with each other, and across time.

• Amphibian Specialist Group Articles that discuss the nature, extent, and ecological importance of declining amphibian populations as well as measures to restore those populations. "Froglog," the site's newsletter, is probably its most interesting and useful feature.
• Ecology WWW Page Links, links, and more ecology and environmental science links arranged in alphabetical order according to the title of the web page.
• Global Coral Reef Alliance An organization that "restores" coral reefs by building news ones using metal frames and electrolysis to create limestone beds that are then seeded with coral fragments. The web site explains the process in depth and also the reasons that coral reefs are endangered. It also features a list of reasonably current coral reef related articles.
• National Center for Science Education The National Center for Science Education is: "nonprofit, tax-exempt membership organization working to defend the teaching of evolution against sectarian attack. We are a nationally-recognized clearinghouse for information and advice to keep evolution in the science classroom and 'scientific creationism' out." The site features detailed articles on the evolution-creationism controversy from the mainstream scientific and science education community's point of view. Most full text articles are in the "Press Room," and require using the search engine or an extra click on a year button on the right side of the page for access.
• Principles of Ecology This is supposed to be a syllabus, but it behaves more like a meta-site. A well organized list of ecology links on a variety of classical ecology and conservation topics.
• Restoration Ecology Primer A long, detailed, and readable document that defines restoration ecology and explains the process and its outcomes. Goes over both the human and technical portions of the process, and defines terms. There is a special section on exotic species. Accessible to the interested general reader.
• Understanding Evolution Explains basic evolutionary theory in language that any one can understand. Has special sections devoted to "Overcoming Roadblocks" and "Misconceptions." This site may use Java so it may not work with older browsers or on older machines.

Back to the top of the page.

Electronic Sources -- CBE Style

Help citing sources within your paper's text and preparing reference lists for science papers.

• Citing Electronic References CBE stands for Council of Biology Editors, and their manual sets the style for citing sources in biology and other life sciences. This web page covers references both in the text and at the end of papers. Sources covered include a variety of electronic sources.
• Citing Print References CBE stands for Council of Biology Editors, and their manual sets the style for citing sources in biology and other life sciences. This web page covers references both in the text and at the end of papers. Sources covered include books, journal articles, and other print material.

Back to the top of the page.

Genetics and Developmental Biology

• A Hypermedia Glossary of Genetic Terms A technical dictionary of words used in genetics and biotechnology. You can browse an alphabetical list or search for a specific term. Also definitions come complete with the explanations of the terms used to define them, and linked cross references.
• Basic Principles of Genetics series of tutorial articles that cover Mendelian genetics, probability of inheritance, and exceptions to simple Mendelian inheritance. Tutorials come with illustrations and links to a glossary of terms. The glossary includes MP3 files for pronunciation and the tutorials have diagrams and illustrations. The level is high school or introductory college.
• Genetic and Rare Conditions A meta-site featuring links to "lay advocacy groups, support groups, information on genetic conditions and birth defects for: professionals, educators and individuals." Links are sorted into those appropriate for kids and teens, teachers, medical personnel, and others. They are also arranged alphabetically by condition.
• Genetic Science Learning Center A genetics teaching resource, featuring a mini-textbook, articles on ethical issues related to genetics, and experiments for home or lab. The site is suited to a wide range of levels from elementary school through college biology. This is a newly revised site that has received yet another makeover.
• Genetics Virtual Library Links to genomes for organisms ranging from fruit flies to humans to marsupials. Links load on separate pages unless you cut and paste them in the location window. Also, some links load more slowly than others.
• Glossary: Primer on Molecular Genetics A collection of alphabetically arranged molecular genetics terms compiled by the agency responsible for the human genome project. Also offers links to more information on the human genome project and an assortment of other genetics, molecular biology, and development glossaries.
• Introduction to Drosophila Drosophila are the famous fruit flies that are the work horses of the genetics lab. This article explains drosophila's life style and the reasons behind its popularity. It also offers links to images and articles for further study. This page has not been updated since Oct 2006.

Back to the top of the page.

Microbiology

One celled organisms and viruses and their roll in medicine, industry, ecology, and agriculture.

• AMA Resources on Infectious Disease
  Links to the latest news on bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases, including SARS and HIV/AIDS. There is also a scroll box allowing you to select topics. Articles range from readable to technical and many come from the CDC and other government sources.
• Bacteria-Animal Symbiolsis
  In depth articles on the relationship between animals and insects and the beneficial bacteria associated with them. The language is technical, but nothing the interested lay reader can not tackle.

Back to the top of the page.