Biology: Background Information

Online Reference Sources

Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new window
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Full text encyclopedias in all subject areas

If you have a research question that includes plant and/or animal species or other living organisms, make sure you know both the common and scientific (or Latin) names before you begin your research.

Basics of Biology
Details the history of biology, as well as many of the field's basic theories and concepts and demonstrates the modern tools and techniques that biologists use today. [UW restricted]
Biology
Explains biological concepts and explores related fields as well as the history of biological science. [UW restricted]
Encyclopedia of Adaptations in the Natural World
Covers the key survival challenges all organisms face; includes specific adaptations from all forms of life, including animals, plants, bacteria, algae, fungi, and viruses. [UW restricted]
Encyclopedia of Earth
An electronic reference about the Earth, its natural environments, and their interaction with society.
Encyclopedia of Life
The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is a global partnership between the scientific community and the general public and whose goal is to make freely available to anyone knowledge about all the world’s organisms.
Encyclopedia of Stem Cell Research
Presents the basic concepts in stem cell biology and addresses the politics, ethics, and challenges currently facing the field.
Genetics
A comprehensive collection of articles on all aspects of genetics, from Mendel to the decoding of the human genome. Explains the workings of genes and chromosomes, genetic diseases, and biotechnology. [UW restricted]
Genetics Home Reference
Presents basic information about genetics in clear language and provides links to online resources. From the National Institutes of Health.
Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia
Searchable online zoology encyclopedia. [UW restricted]
Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia: Evolution
Covers evolution in detail and explores it from a scientific viewpoint. Includes comprehensive coverage of recent ideas and discoveries in the field of evolution. [UW restricted]
Plant Sciences
Introduces the fundamentals of plant sciences, such as cells, transportation and photosynthesis, and also examines related fields, such as agribusiness, conservation and ethnobotany. [UW restricted]
Tree of Life
The Tree of Life Web Project (ToL) is a collaborative effort of biologists and nature enthusiasts from around the world to provide information about biodiversity, the characteristics of different groups of organisms, and their evolutionary history.
UXL Complete Life Science Resource
Features alphabetically arranged entries on theories, concepts, and scientific discoveries and developments pertinent to the study of life science. [UW restricted]
World of Microbiology and Immunology
An encyclopedic guide to concepts, theories, discoveries and pioneers in the fields of microbiology and immunology, for students and other researchers. [UW restricted]
Wikipedia
the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Biology: Background Information

Online Reference Sources

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