Dictionary of Biology 8e companion website
Here is a list of recommended web links, arranged alphabetically by the relevant dictionary entries.
A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W X
Acarina
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/acarology/
More information about mites and ticks, including news, publications, and societies
AIDS
http://www.who.int/hiv/en/
Latest initiatives to combat HIV and AIDS, with WHO technical reports and statistics
allergy
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000812.htm
Overview of common allergies, tests, and treatments, with illustrations of some typical symptoms
Alvarez event
http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/cretaceous/ktboundary.html
Resources detailing the evidence and main theories regarding mass extinctions and the Alvarez event
amino acid
http://biomodel.uah.es/en/model3/aa.htm
Depicts molecular structures of all the amino acids
Amphibia
https://amphibiaweb.org/index.html
Hosted by the University of California, Berkeley; gives free access to information about amphibian biology and conservation
Annelida
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/annelida/annelida.html
A basic round-up of evolution, life history, systematics, and morphology
Anthocerophyta
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/plants/anthocerotophyta.html
An entry into the world of hornworts, with links to images
Anthophyta
http://www.tolweb.org/Anthophyta/20646
Overview of flowering plant diversity and systematics
antibiotics
https://medlineplus.gov/antibiotics.html#cat1
Information about the use and abuse of antibiotics and the search for new ones
apoptosis
https://www.cellsalive.com/apop.htm
Video of apoptotic cells
Arachnida
http://www.discoverlife.org/20/q?search=arachnida
Lively and accessible introduction to major groups of arachnids
atomic force microscopy
https://www.nanoscience.com/technology/afm-technology/
Succinct account of the technique
ATP synthetase
http://www.mrc-mbu.cam.ac.uk/projects/2245/atp-synthase
Models and animations of ATP synthetase and ATP formation
Aves
http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/partnership/about-birdlife
Global partnership of organizations involved in bird conservation
Bacteria
http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/
Online textbook of bacteriology devised by Kenneth Todar, University of Wisconsin-Madison
bacteriophage
https://www.asm.org/division/m/M.html
Overview of phage biology and diversity sponsored by the American Society of Microbiology
biochemistry
http://biochemweb.net/
A virtual library of biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology
biofuel
http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/
Highlights the dangers of unsustainable biofuel production
biological clock
http://millar.bio.ed.ac.uk/
Introduction to circadian rhythms and other aspects of chronobiology, hosted by the Millar Lab at Edinburgh University
biology
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/
This University of Arizona website contains useful links to various fields, including biochemistry, cell biology, and human biology
bioluminescence
https://biolum.eemb.ucsb.edu
Comprehensive overview of bioluminescence hosted by the University of California at Santa Barbara
biomimicry
https://asknature.org/
Fascinating website Ask Nature shows how natural designs can inspire human engineering
blood clotting
http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/blood-coagulation.php
Overview of blood coagulation and its disorders from the Indiana University School of Medicine
bone
http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/Bone/Bone.htm
Descriptions and images of bone tissue from the School of Anatomy and Human Biology, University of Western Australia
brain
http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/index.php
Multilevel exploration of brain structure and function, sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Bryophyta
http://bryophytes.plant.siu.edu/
A resource devoted to mosses, liverworts, and hornworts from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Cambrian
http://palaeos.com/paleozoic/cambrian/cambrian.html
Illustrated insights into Cambrian stratigraphy and life forms.
cancer
https://www.cancerquest.org/
Extensive multimedia coverage of cancer biology and different types of cancer, produced by Emory University
carbohydrate
http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/carbohydrates.php
Summary of carbohydrate nomenclature and classification
cardiac cycle
https://library.med.utah.edu/kw/pharm/hyper_heart1.html
Animation of the cardiac cycle explaining the changes in blood pressure, heart sounds, and ECG trace
cartilage
http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/Cartilage/Cartil.htm
Images and descriptions of different types of cartilage
cell
https://www.cellsalive.com/toc_cellbio.htm
Overview of cell biology, with animations and illustrations, from Cells Alive!
cell division
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology/meiosis/v/comparing-mitosis-and-meiosis
Animation comparing mitosis with meiosis
Cenozoic
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/cenozoic/cenozoic.php
Survey of the Cenozoic era by the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Cetacea
http://uk.whales.org/
Website for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
Chiroptera
http://www.batcon.org/
Website of Bat Conservation International, dedicated to conservation, education, and research concerning bats
Chordata
http://www.tolweb.org/Chordata
Tree of Life web page outlining main characteristics and phylogeny of chordates
chromatin
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/VL/GG/ecb/chromatin_packing.html
Diagram showing levels of chromatin packing
chromosome
https://www2.le.ac.uk/projects/vgec/highereducation/topics/dna-genes-chromosomes
Overview of DNA, genes, and chromosomes from the Virtual Genetics Education Centre, University of Leicester
cilium
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1042/BC20100139
Details of the ultrastructure of cilia and flagella
climate change
http://www.ipcc.ch/index.htm#.Up7-hOIqcjo
Home page of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Cnidaria
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/cnidaria/cnidaria.html
A summary of cnidarian biology and systematics: part of the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
complement
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820029/
An illustrated overview of complement activation and regulation, from the US National Library of Medicine
compound eye
http://www.understandingbeeanatomy.com/tag/compound-eyes/
A series of magnified images of a bee's compound eyes
Coniferophyta
http://www.tolweb.org/Conifers/20634
Illustrated survey of conifer biology from the Tree of Life web project
continental drift
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim1.html
Animation of continental drift during the earth's history
Cretaceous
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mesozoic/cretaceous/cretlife.html
Overview of the Cretaceous period: part of the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Crustacea
http://tolweb.org/Crustacea/2529
Overview of crustacean phylogeny at the Tree of Life web project
Cyanobacteria
http://www-cyanosite.bio.purdue.edu/
Webserver for cyanobacterial research, hosted by Purdue University: contains links to numerous images
cytoskeleton
http://www.bms.ed.ac.uk/research/others/smaciver/Cyto-Topics/actinpage.htm
In-depth collection of resources about actin, the cytoskeleton, and related structures, hosted by Edinburgh University
Darwin, Charles
http://darwin-online.org.uk/
The complete works of Charles Darwin online
Devonian
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/devonian/devonian.php
The Devonian period as described on the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
dinosaur
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/index.html
A Dino Directory produced by the Natural History Museum, London
DNA
http://www.dnaftb.org/
An animated primer on basic aspects of DNA, genes, and heredity, produced for the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
DNA barcode
http://www.ibol.org/
Website of the International Barcode of Life project
Echinodermata
http://tolweb.org/Echinodermata
Overview of echinoderm characteristics and phylogeny from the Tree of Life project
ecosystem
https://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/index.html
The latest Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Reports commissioned by the United Nations
electron microscope
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/electronmicroscopy/magnify1/index.html
Tutorial featuring virtual scanning electron microscopy, created by the Optical Microscopy Division of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
embryo
http://discovery.lifemapsc.com/
A compendium of embryonic development, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine
embryology
https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=Main_Page
This site, hosted by the University of New South Wales, explores human embryology and development
ENCODE
https://www.encodeproject.org/
Encyclopedia of DNA Elements
endangered species
http://www.iucn.org/
Website of the IUCN
evolution
https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/home.php
The evidence for and mechanisms of evolution, from Understanding Evolution, created by the University of California Museum of Paleontology
extracellular matrix
http://jcs.biologists.org/content/123/24/4195
The extracellular matrix at a glance, from the Journal of Cell Science
eye
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/anatomy_of_the_eye/article_em.htm
Gross anatomy of the eye, from emedicine
fluorescence in situ hybridization
https://www.genome.gov/10000206/
FISH factsheet from the National Human Genome Research Institute
fungi
http://www.tolweb.org/Fungi/2377
Tree of Life survey of fungi, including phylogeny, plus many links to other sites
gap junction
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-schematic-diagram-of-a-gap-junction-plaque-joining-the-cytoplasm-of-two-adjacent-cells_fig1_7277900
Description and schematic representation of gap junction
Golgi apparatus
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/golgi/golgiapparatus.html
A succinct account of the Golgi apparatus from a site hosted by Florida State University
greenhouse effect
https://www.livescience.com/37743-greenhouse-effect.html
Summary of the greenhouse effect, from the Live Science website
heart
http://www.bartleby.com/107/illus490.html
Sequence of diagrams of the human heart from Gray's Anatomy
Hemichordata
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/chordata/hemichordata.html
Introduction to the hemichordates, on the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Hepatophyta
http://lifeofplant.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/liverworts.html
Introduction to liverworts , from the Plant Life website
herpesvirus
http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~faculty/wagner/movieindex.html
Animations of herpes simplex virus infection and replication
Hexapoda
http://tolweb.org/tree?group=Insecta
Overview of insect characteristics and phylogeny, with links to insect orders, at the Tree of Life web project
homeotic genes
https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1995/illpres/index.html
Description of homeotic genes in Drosophila, based on the poster for the 1995 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine
hominid
http://www.becominghuman.org/node/interactive-documentary
Interactive documentary narrated by palaeontologist Donald Johanson and presented by the Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University
hominin
http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-family-tree
Interactive family tree of hominin evolution from the Smithsonian Institution
ice age
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ice/
Sponsored by the US Public Broadcasting Service, this site explains why the earth warms up and cools down
immunoglobulin
https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/antibodies/antibodies-learning-center/antibodies-resource-library/antibody-methods/introduction-immunoglobulins.html
Introduction to immunoglobulins
impulse
http://nerve.bsd.uchicago.edu/
Details of nerve impulses and other aspects of neurophysiology
integrated pest management
http://www.whatisipm.org/whatIs_whatIs.asp
Introduction to IPM for homes, schools, and businesses
ion channel
http://www2.montana.edu/cftr/ionchannelprimers/beginners.htm
Overview of the mechanisms and functions of ion channels, including diagrams
Jurassic
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mesozoic/jurassic/jurassic.php
Overview of the Jurassic period: part of the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
lichens
http://www.britishlichens.co.uk/whatarelichens.html
Details of lichens, with illustrations, from British Lichens, prepared by Mike Sutcliffe
lipid
http://lipidlibrary.aocs.org/
Extensive information about lipids in Lipid Library, compiled by the former head of the Scottish Crop Research Institute
liver
https://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/
Summary of liver anatomy, functions, and diseases, compiled by the British Liver Trust
lymphatic system
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/what-is-cancer/body-systems-and-cancer/the-lymphatic-system-and-cancer
An illustrated summary of the human lymphatic system: part of the Cancer Research UK website
magnetic resonance imaging
http://www.cis.rit.edu/htbooks/mri/inside.htm
Comprehensive online textbook covering all aspects of MRI
malaria
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/malaria/index.html
Coverage of all aspects of malaria, from the website of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
mass spectrometry
http://www.astbury.leeds.ac.uk/facil/MStut/mstutorial.htm
The principles and biological applications of mass spectrometry described by Alison Ashcroft, University of Leeds
memory
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/memory/
Comprehensive account of concepts and models of memory, from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
microbiology
https://microbiologysociety.org/
Home page of the Microbiology Society
microbiome
https://hmpdacc.org/
NIH Human Microbiome Project
microscope
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html
Accessible and entertaining portal from Microscopy UK
mimicry
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucbhdjm/courses/b242/Mimic/Mimic.html
Summary of the lecture `Warning colour and mimicry', from the Department of Biology, University College London
mitochondrion
https://biologywise.com/mitochondria-structure-functions
Overview of mitochondrial structure and function from BiologyWise
molecular biology
http://www.embo.org/
Website of the European Molecular Biology Organization
Mollusca
http://malacsoc.org.uk/
Website of the Malacological Society of London, dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and research on molluscs
muscle
http://www.innerbody.com/image/musfov.html
Interactive tutorial identifying the principal muscles of the human body
mutation
http://www.dnaftb.org/27/
First of two topics on mutation from the online resource DNA from the Beginning
Neanderthal
http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-neanderthalensis
Illustrated account of Neanderthal features and fossil record, from the Smithsonian Institution
Nematoda
https://nematologists.org/
Website of the Society of Nematologists; Education Committee link accesses many images of nematodes
nervous system
http://www.innerbody.com/image/nervov.html
Basic interactive guide to the anatomy of the human nervous system, from Human Anatomy Online
neurotransmitter
http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/nerves.php
Summary of the main neurotransmitters, their biochemistry, and mode of action, from the Medical Biochemistry pages of Indiana University
Nomarski microscope
https://www.olympus-lifescience.com/en/microscope-resource/primer/java/dic/wollastonwavefronts/
Overview of Nomarski microscopy with interactive tutorials, from Olympus Microscopy Resource Center
olfaction
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/81198-jacob-tim
Tutorial on the sense of smell compiled by Tim Jacob of Cardiff University
oogenesis
http://www.embryology.ch/anglais/cgametogen/oogenese01.html
Overview of oogenesis, including the development of follicles and the ovarian cycle, produced by Human Embryology
Ordovician
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/ordovician/ordovician.php
A brief survey of the Ordovician period on the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
ozone layer
https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection
Description of the ozone layer, its depletion, and steps to protect it, produced by the US Environmental Protection Agency
palaeobotany
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/IB181/VPL/Dir.html
Virtual palaeobotany lab constructed by the University of California Museum of Paleontology
parasitism
https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/
Descriptions of human parasites feature in this website from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
pathology
https://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/webpath.html#MENU
An Internet Pathology Laboratory providing an online resource for pathology students, from Florida State University College of Medicine
Permian
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/permian/permian.php
Overview of the Permian period from the University of California Museum of Paleontology
pesticide
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/
Pesticides section of the UK’s Health and Safety Executive website
photosynthesis
http://www.rsc.org/Education/Teachers/Resources/cfb/photosynthesis.htm
Illustrated summary of photosynthesis from the Royal Society of Chemistry
Pisces
https://australianmuseum.net.au/fishes
The Australian Museum Fish Site, an extensive site catering for fish enthusiasts at various levels
plant
https://www.kew.org/science
Open doors to the world of plants via the website of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Platyhelminthes
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/platyhelminthes/platyhelminthes.html
Brief introduction to flatworms from the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
pollution
http://www.worstpolluted.org/
The ten worst-polluted places in the world and the ten most-polluting industries; a report by Pure Earth (formerly the Blacksmith Institute) and Green Cross, Switzerland.
polymerase chain reaction
https://www.dnalc.org/resources/animations/pcr.html
Animated account of PCR from the DNA Learning Center
Porifera
http://animaldiversity.org/site/accounts/information/Porifera.html
Overview of the sponges, including their biology and classification, from the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology Diversity Web
Precambrian
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/precambrian/archean_hadean.php
Perspectives on Precambrian time provided by the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
Primates
https://www2.palomar.edu/anthro/primate/
Wide-ranging account of primate characteristics and taxonomy, compiled by Dennis O'Neil, Palomar College, California
protein
http://biochemweb.net/proteins.shtml
Comprehensive survey of protein biochemistry, from the Virtual Library of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology
radiobiology
https://www.med-ed.virginia.edu/courses/rad/radbiol/
A tutorial providing an introduction to radiobiology from the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center.
reconciliation ecology
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/about-us/vision-and-mission/living-landscapes
Living landscapes projects of UK wildlife trusts
Reptilia
http://www.tolweb.org/Amniota/14990
This Amniota page from the Tree of Life project shows the phylogenetic relationships of reptile groups, birds, and mammals
respiration
https://www.thoughtco.com/cellular-respiration-process-373396
Overview of cellular respiration, with illustrations, from About.com.
retina
http://webvision.med.utah.edu/book/part-i-foundations/simple-anatomy-of-the-retina/
Anatomy of the retina, prepared by members of the John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah
retrovirus
https://web.stanford.edu/group/nolan/_OldWebsite/tutorials/tutorials.html
Series of tutorials about retroviruses and their applications, compiled by the Nolan Lab of Stanford University
RNA
http://www.dnaftb.org/21/
Animated account of the roles of RNA in protein synthesis: part of the website DNA from the Beginning
RNA processing
http://www.dnaftb.org/24/
Animated account of RNA processing: part of the website DNA from the Beginning
Rotifera
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/wimsmall/rotidr.html
Basic descriptions and striking images of rotifers by Wim van Egmond
scanning probe microscopy
http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/surfaces/scc/scat7_6.htm
Elegant overview compiled by the Chemistry Department of Queen Mary University of London
senescence
http://www.senescence.info/
Examination of the causes and consequences of ageing, compiled by João Pedro de Magalhães of Harvard University
sexually transmitted disease
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/
Extensive account of STDs from NHS Choices
signal transduction
http://www.abcam.com/pathways/scientific-pathway-poster-library
Free downloads of posters for cell signal pathways from Cambridge-based bioreagents company Abcam
Silurian
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/silurian/silurian.php
Brief survey of the Silurian period on the website of the University of California Museum of Paleontology
skeleton
http://www.eskeletons.org/
The e-Skeletons Project site explores the comparative skeletal anatomy of humans and other primates
stem cell
http://www.stem-cell-forum.net/
Website of the International Stem Cell Forum, which promotes good practice and progress in stem cell research
sustainable
http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/
UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform
synapse
http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/a/a_01/a_01_m/a_01_m_fon/a_01_m_fon.html#2
Multilevel summary of synaptic function, sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
taste
http://www.tasteofchemistry.org/summer/r/docs/tastephysiologynotes.pdf
Tutorial on the sense of taste, compiled by Tim Jacob of Cardiff University
thyroid gland
https://www.medicinenet.com/thyroid_disorders/article.htm
Overview of thyroid disease and function from MedicineNet
tissue engineering
https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/tissue-engineering-and-regenerative-medicine
Introduction to tissue engineering from the US National Institutes of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
ubiquitin
https://www.rcsb.org/structure/1UBQ
Explore the structure and function of ubiquitin on the Protein Data Bank website
vascular system
https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/anatomy-of-the-heart-and-cardiovascular-system/
Interactive round-up of the human cardiovascular system, presented by the Texas Heart Institute
vascular tissue
https://msu.edu/~walwort8/index.html
Animations of how the conducting tissues of plants develop (Michigan State University)
virology
http://virology.net/
Website for All the Virology on the WWW, a major portal for virology resources via the Internet
vitamin
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins
Authoritative descriptions of all vitamins, plus other micronutrients, from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University
X-ray crystallography
http://www-structmed.cimr.cam.ac.uk/Course/Overview/Overview.html
Illustrated introduction to the principles of X-ray crystallography, compiled by Randy Read, University of Cambridge
