LibGuides: Biology: Web Resources

Web Resources

The following free online resources are relevant to students studying Biology.

Biology

Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America (Opens in New Tab) This integrated pest management resource discusses the characteristics of and dynamics between natural agents and the pests they attack. The basic organizing principle is that of four biological control agents: predators, parasitoids, pathogens, and weed feeders. Each has its own section, including an introduction and table of contents leading to discussions of respective organisms within that category. (Choice Reviews Online)
The Cell: An Image Library (Opens in New Tab) An interactive site with images, videos, and animations by the American Society for Cell Biology.
Department of Energy - Genomes (Opens in New Tab) This searchable site provides information and history for this project which will "identify all the 100,000 genes in human DNA." The project and this Web site also address related issues including cloning, genetic testing, medical applications, and ethnical, legal, and social issues. (LII)
DNA Interactive (Opens in New Tab) This Web site provides a host of interactive exhibits and background material about DNA, the human genome project, and the various applications that are gleaned through an intimate and detailed knowledge of human DNA. (ISP)
Ecology: Knowledge Project (Opens in New Tab) "The Knowledge Project is an effort to work with the scientific community to build a reliable, state of the art, open access library of peer reviewed educational articles accessible to college and high school students. Each article is written by experts in their field and peer reviewed by other experts prior to posting."
Encyclopedia of Life (Opens in New Tab) "The EOL dynamically synthesizes biodiversity knowledge about all known species, including their taxonomy, geographic distribution, collections, genetics, evolutionary history, morphology, behavior, ecological relationships, and importance for human well being..."
Environmental Ethics- Knowledge Project (Opens in New Tab) "What responsibilities do we have to wild species and ecosystems — and to present and future generations of humans dependent on critical ecological services? How does the recognition of rapid, global environmental change challenge our traditional understandings of these obligations? What does it mean to be "sustainable" and why do many believe that achieving sustainability is an ethical imperative for science and society in this century? These questions, and others like them, are explored in this series."
Genetics - MedlinePlus (Opens in New Tab) Genetics Home Reference (GHR) is a top-notch consumer-oriented online resource from the National Library of Medicine (NLM). A handbook provides a primer for genetics with basic explanations of key terms and concepts pertinent to genes and chromosomes, their function in humans, and related disorders/diseases. (ChoiceReviews.online).
iBiology (Opens in New Tab) "...accurate contemporary biological information and accounts of up-to-date, cutting-edge developments using simple-to-understand language, reported by scientists and edited by science writers. (ChoiceReviews.online).
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Opens in New Tab) "...committed to providing the world with the most objective, scientifically-based information on the current status of globally threatened biodiversity."
Map of Life-Species Map (Opens in New Tab) The Map of Life assembles and integrates different sources of data describing species distributions worldwide. These data include expert species range maps, species occurrence points, ecoregions, and protected areas from providers like IUCN, WWF, GBIF, and more.
Medical Biochemistry Page (Opens in New Tab) "This online textbook thoroughly presents many aspects of biochemistry, with an emphasis on clinical medicine; it features straightforward text and high-quality illustrations. The home page acts as a table of contents with 53 links to chapters on topics like Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2; the Cell Cycle....." (Choice)
The National Human Genome Research Institute (Opens in New Tab) This site from a National Institutes of Health affiliate provides information on genetics, inherited disease research, genetics and rare diseases, online resources, and the ethical, legal, and social issues related to genetic research. (LII)
Scitable (Opens in New Tab) "Scitable is a free science library and personal learning tool brought to you by Nature Publishing Group. Scitable currently concentrates on genetics and cell biology, which include the topics of evolution, gene expression, and the rich complexity of cellular processes shared by living organisms".
Strategian (Opens in New Tab) "The strategic guide to quality information in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, medicine, physics, and psychology."

General Science

ATTRA - Sustainable Agriculture (Opens in New Tab) This site has "the latest information on sustainable agriculture practices, innovation, alternative crop and livestock enterprises, and of course, organic certification." (ISP)
The Core Historical Literature of Agriculture (Opens in New Tab) This highly valuable research Website provides "a core electronic collection of agricultural texts published between the early nineteenth century and the middle to late twentieth century." (ISP)
EurekAlert (Opens in New Tab) An online news service "where research institutions, universities, government agencies, corporations and the like can distribute science-related news to reporters and news media." Searchable, and browsable by subject (Agriculture, Archaeology, Chemistry, and more). (LII)
Metric (SI) Program (Opens in New Tab) NIST Reference on Constants, Units, and Uncertainty.
The National Academies (Opens in New Tab) The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council (NRC) cooperate to provide a Web site that incorporates up-to-date information for the public about the broad range of science, technology, and health policy issues within their mandates. Hyperlinks provide access to the free full-text of thousands of e-books published by the National Academies Press as well as journals, news articles, and other publications. (CHOICE Review Online)
SciCentral (Opens in New Tab) A directory of links to "today's breaking science news." Browsable by topic, including biosciences, health sciences, physics, chemistry, earth and space, and engineering. Also includes links to related journals, databases, job opportunities, and conferences. (LII)
Science.gov (Opens in New Tab) "Science.gov searches over 42 databases and over 2000 selected websites from 14 federal agencies, offering 200 million pages of authoritative U.S. government science information including research and development results. "
SEARCH - National Agricultural Library (Opens in New Tab) In addition to the National Agricultural Library (NAL) catalog, this site contains a database of citations from "journal articles, book chapters, short reports, and reprints." Covers "all aspects of agriculture and allied disciplines". (LII)
Smithsonian Institution (Opens in New Tab)
UC Museum of Paleontology (Opens in New Tab) This site contains online exhibits on phylogeny, geologic time, and evolutionary thought; resources for students (K-12) and teachers; and information on UCMP's collection of fossils, "printed material, images, and memorabilia." Searchable. (LII)