Library: OER: Biology

Open Textbooks

Anatomy and Physiology Anatomy and Physiology is a dynamic textbook for the two-semester human anatomy and physiology course for life science and allied health majors. The book is organized by body system and covers standard scope and sequence requirements. Its lucid text, strategically constructed art, career features, and links to external learning tools address the critical teaching and learning challenges in the course. The web-based version of Anatomy and Physiology also features links to surgical videos, histology, and interactive diagrams.
Biodiversity This collection provides an overview of what is meant by the term ‘biodiversity,’ and how we measure it. The collection reviews the different levels of biodiversity, or the ‘biodiversity hierarchy’ including: genetic and phenotypic diversity; population diversity; species diversity; community diversity; ecosystem diversity; landscape diversity; and historical and ecological biogeographic diversity. Brief definitions of populations, species, communities, and ecosystems are provided, with some introductory discussion of different types of ‘species concepts.’ The collection defines the terms ‘species richness’ and ‘species evenness’ as methods for measuring species diversity, and it discusses the use of species richness as a surrogate for describing overall global biodiversity. The collection reviews the distribution of biodiversity in space, explaining the definitions of alpha, beta and gamma diversity for measuring diversity within and between ecosystems. The environmental factors that affect these patterns of spatial diversity are briefly discussed. The collection also includes a brief review of the different ways by which assessments of spatial diversity are used for conservation planning and management (e.g., based on ecoregions, or biodiversity hotspots and coldspots). The collection concludes with a brief discussion of diversity over geological time.
Biology 2e Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts.
Building a Medical Terminology Foundation Building a Medical Terminology Foundation is an OER that focuses on breaking down medical terms into their word parts, pronouncing medical terms, and learning the meaning of medical terms within the context of introductory anatomy and physiology. This resource is targeted for health office administration and health services students in the first year of their college programs.
Cells - Molecules and Mechanisms This textbook was written for collegiate Cell and Molecular Biology courses and may be appropriate at both an introductory level and also as a resource for more advanced courses.
Climate Toolkit: A Resource Manuel for Science and Action The Climate Toolkit is a resource manual designed to help the reader navigate the complex and perplexing issue of climate change by providing tools and strategies to explore the underlying science. As such it contains a collection of activities that make use of readily available on-line resources developed by research groups and public agencies. These include web-based climate models, climate data archives, interactive atlases, policy papers, and “solution” catalogs. Unlike a standard textbook, it is designed to help readers do their own climate research and devise their own perspective rather than providing them with a script to assimilate and repeat.
Concepts of Biology Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.
Evolutionary Developmental Biology The author/publisher of this OER textbook did not provide a description or summary.
Fundamentals of Cell Biology This textbook, a remix of other open educational resources. Chapters include: Cytoskeleton, DNA Packaging and Chromosomes, Transcription and mRNA Modification, Translation, Transcriptional Regulation, Cell and Organelle Membrane Structure, Transport Across Cellular Membranes, The Electrochemical Gradient, Protein Trafficking, Vesicles in the Endomembrane System, Principles of Cell Signaling, GPCRs and RTKs, Cell Cycle and its Regulation, DNA Replication, Cell Death and Cancer, Stem Cells.
Human Anatomy Lab Manuel This open text is disseminated via the Open Education Resource (OER) LibreTexts Project (https://LibreTexts.org) and like the hundreds of other open texts available within this powerful platform, it is licensed to be freely used, adapted, and distributed. This book is openly licensed which allows you to make changes, save, and print this book as long as the applicable license is indicated at the bottom of each page. Instructors can adopt existing LibreTexts texts or Remix them to quickly build course-specific resources to meet the needs of their students. Unlike traditional textbooks, LibreTexts’ web based origins allow powerful integration of advanced features and new technologies to support learning.
Human Biology Human biology is an interdisciplinary area of study that examines humans through the influences and interplay of many diverse fields such as genetics, evolution, physiology, anatomy, epidemiology, anthropology, ecology, nutrition, population genetics, and sociocultural influences; it is closely related to physical anthropology.
Microbiology Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.
Online Open Genetics Genetics is the scientific study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. It includes the study of genes, themselves, how they function, interact, and produce the visible and measurable characteristics we see in individuals and populations of species as they change from one generation to the next, over time, and in different environments.
Phylogenetic Comparative Methods Detailed studies of evolution over short time-scales have been incredibly fruitful and important for our understanding of biology. But evolutionary biologists have always wanted more than this. Evolution strikes a chord in society because it aims to tell us how we, along with all the other living things that we know about, came to be. This story stretches back some 4 billion years in time. It includes all of the drama that one could possibly want – sex, death, great blooms of life and global catastrophes. It has had “winners” and “losers,” groups that wildly diversified, others that expanded then crashed to extinction, as well as species that have hung on in basically the same form for hundreds of millions of years.
Quantitative Ecology - A New Unified Approach Quantitative Ecology introduces and discusses the principles of ecology from populations to ecosystems including human populations, disease, exotic organisms, habitat fragmentation, biodiversity and global dynamics. The book also reformulates and unifies ecological equations making them more accessible to the reader and easier to teach.

Open Access Journals

Algorithms for Molecular Biology Algorithms for Molecular Biology publishes articles on novel algorithms for biological sequence and structure analysis, phylogeny reconstruction, and combinatorial algorithms and machine learning. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: algorithms for RNA and protein structure analysis, gene prediction and genome analysis, comparative sequence analysis and alignment, phylogeny, gene expression, machine learning, and combinatorial algorithms.
Applications in Plant Sciences Applications in Plant Sciences (APPS) is a monthly, peer-reviewed, open access journal promoting the rapid dissemination of newly developed, innovative tools and protocols in all areas of the plant sciences, including genetics, structure, function, development, evolution, systematics, and ecology. Given the rapid progress today in technology and its application in the plant sciences, the goal of APPS is to foster communication within the plant science community to advance scientific research. APPS is a publication of the Botanical Society of America, originating in 2009 as the American Journal of Botany's online-only section, AJB Primer Notes & Protocols in the Plant Sciences.
Aquatic Biology AB publishes rigorously refereed and carefully selected Feature Articles, Research Articles, Reviews and Notes, as well as Comments/Reply Comments, Theme Sections, Opinion Pieces (previously called 'As I See It') concerned with the biology, physiology, biochemistry and genetics (including the ’omics‘) of all aquatic organisms under laboratory and field conditions, and at all levels of organization and investigation.
Biological Procedures Online Biological Procedures Online publishes articles that improve access to techniques and methods in the medical and biological sciences. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, reports of new research techniques and applications of existing techniques, technical analyses of research techniques and published reports, validity analyses of research methods and approaches to judging the validity of research reports, reviews of existing techniques, and novel or important product information.
Biology Biology is an international, peer-reviewed, quick-refereeing open access journal of Biological Science published by MDPI online. It publishes reviews, research papers and communications in all areas of biology and at the interface of related disciplines.
Biology Open Biology Open (BiO) is an Open Access journal that supports the community of biologists through the publication of peer-reviewed original research across all aspects of the biological sciences. We aim to provide rapid peer review and publication of scientifically sound results and conclusions, without a requirement for perceived impact. Biology Open also aspires to promote a peer-review system that is timely, thorough, constructive and fair.
Cells Cells is an international, peer-reviewed, open access, journal of cell biology, molecular biology, and biophysics. Cells is published monthly online by MDPI.
European Journal of Biological Research The aim of the European Journal of Biological Research (EJBR) is to provide the platform for exchange of scientific progress in the field of Biology, and to do so at the highest possible level. The EJBR also aims to facilitate the application of new scientific knowledge to the daily practice of the concerned disciplines and addresses both researchers and academics. The EJBR publishes original contributions, case reports and review articles in the fields of biology, especially experimental biology. Its scope encompasses: Agriculture, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Botany, Cell biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular biology, Mycology, Pathology, Physiology, Phytopathology, Toxicology, Zoology and allied.
Fishes Fishes is an international, open access journal with a main focus on fishes’ and aquatic organisms’ research.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology is a broad-scope, interdisciplinary open-access journal, focusing on the fundamental processes of life. With a collaborative, rigorous and transparent peer-review, the journal produces the highest scientific quality in both fundamental and applied research, and advanced article-level metrics measure the real-time impact and influence of each publication.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution publishes rigorously peer-reviewed research across fundamental and applied sciences, to provide ecological and evolutionary insights into our natural and anthropogenic world, and how it should best be managed. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics and the public worldwide.
Frontiers in Genetics Frontiers in Genetics publishes rigorously peer-reviewed research on genes and genomes relating to all the domains of life, from humans to plants to livestock and other model organisms. Led by an outstanding Editorial Board of the world’s leading experts, this multidisciplinary, open-access journal is at the forefront of communicating cutting-edge research to researchers, academics, clinicians, policy makers and the public.
Frontiers in Microbiology Frontiers in Microbiology is a leading journal in its field, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed research across the entire spectrum of microbiology. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics, clinicians and the public worldwide.
Frontiers in Physiology Frontiers in Physiology is a leading journal in its field, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed research on the physiology of living systems, from the subcellular and molecular domains to the intact organism, and its interaction with the environment. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics, clinicians and the public worldwide.
Frontiers in Plant Science Frontiers in Plant Science is a leading journal in its field, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed research that seeks to advance our understanding of fundamental processes in plant biology. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics, policy makers and the public worldwide.
Genome Biology Genome Biology covers all areas of biology and biomedicine studied from a genomic and post-genomic perspective. Content includes research, new methods and software tools, and reviews. Areas covered include, but are not limited to: sequence analysis; bioinformatics; insights into molecular, cellular and organismal biology; functional genomics; epigenomics; population genomics; proteomics; comparative biology and evolution; systems and network biology; genome editing and engineering; genomics of disease; and clinical genomics. All content is open access immediately on publication.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences The International Journal of Molecular Sciences provides an advanced forum for molecular studies in biology and chemistry, with a strong emphasis on molecular biology and molecular medicine. Our aim is to provide rigorous peer review and enable rapid publication of cutting-edge research to educate and inspire the scientific community worldwide.
Journal of Biological Dynamics Journal of Biological Dynamics is an open access journal that publishes cutting-edge research analyzing dynamic models that arise from biological processes. Journal of Biological Dynamics focuses on dynamic phenomena at scales ranging from the level of individual organisms to that of populations, communities, and ecosystems. In addition, the journal welcomes papers that aim to connect mathematical modelling and analysis to experimental and observational data.
Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity The Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity is an open access journal that publishes research articles, short communications, event reports, opinions, letter to editors, reviews and editorial comments in all aspects of biosafety and biosecurity, including laboratory management and infectious disease which could threat social stability. The objective of this journal is to promote global biosafety and biosecurity awareness and facilitate the development and appropriate practices.
Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education As ASM’s first open access education journal, the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (JMBE) offers original, previously unpublished, peer-reviewed articles that foster scholarly teaching, and provide readily adoptable resources in biology education at the undergraduate, graduate, professional (e.g., medical school), K-12 outreach, and informal education level.
Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports is a peer reviewed, open access journal that publishes reports describing investigations that use the tools of biochemical genetics and molecular genetics for studies of normal and disease states.
RNA & Disease RNA & DISEASE is an open access, peer-reviewed, online journal that encompasses all basic and translational research of RNA in normal and pathological conditions.
Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling is an open access peer-reviewed journal adopting a broad definition of "biology" and focusing on theoretical ideas and models associated with developments in biology and medicine.

Online Courses

Course Resources

Biology LibreTexts Course Shells
The Course Shells area holds campus- and faculty-specific course areas. Each course shell is uniquely designed to address the needs of faculty and their students and typically contain text remixes (i.e., texts generated from existing content often with customized editing and/or content interspersed) that students and faculty can directly access for their class activities. The Course shells can be exported into Learning Management Systems or as PDFs or even as physical texts available on the Libretexts Bookstore. For details in how to construct a Course Shell for your class contact us at info@libretexts.org.
The Biology Project
An interactive online resource for learning biology, developed at The University of Arizona. Includes tutorials, interactive quizzes, activites and other teaching resources for courses.
Biology resources from OER Commons
Browse videos, playlists, tutorials, lab activities, and more.
Exercises: Online Open Genetics (Nickle and Barrette-Ng)
These are homework exercises to accompany Nickle and Barrette-Ng's "Online Open Genetics" TextMap. Genetics is the scientific study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. It includes the study of genes, themselves, how they function, interact, and produce the visible and measurable characteristics we see in individuals and populations of species as they change from one generation to the next, over time, and in different environments.
General Biology I - Course ePortfolio
Free resources to develop an introductory biology course that will recognize and evaluate various aspects of basic chemistry and biochemistry, including atoms, subatomic particles, atomic number, atomic weight, mass number, molecules, macromolecules, and directions and rates of biochemical processes at they apply to the structure and functioning of the cell.
General Biology II - Course ePortfolio
Free resources to develop an introductory biology course that covers evolution, bacteria, protists, fungi, plant & animal diversity, basic functions and systems of living organisms, ecological interactions between organisms and the environment.
General Biology II Lab - Course ePortfolio
Lab resources to accompany General II course ePortfolio
General Biology I Lab - Course ePortfolio
Lab resources to accompany General I course ePortfolio
Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab - Course ePortfolio
Resources for teaching a human anatomy & physiology class that covers: the endocrine system, human blood, cardiovascular system, human respiratory system and cycle, urinary system, reproductive and developmental system, and lymphatic and immune systems.
Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab - Course ePortfolio
Resources for teaching a human anatomy & physiology class that covers: basic chemical concepts and apply them to a better understanding of physiological phenomena, and anatomy and physiology of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.
LabXchange
Labs are places of exploration and discovery for every field imaginable. In this spirit, you can discover, engage, and share what you learn on LabXchange. We curate and create world-class digital content, delivered on a free, online platform that lets you integrate your learning and research experiences. Here, you take control of your learning and solve real-world problems as a community. Participation will always be free.
LibreTexts Biology Ancillary Materials
Lab experiements, 3D interactive models, and figures.
Medicine LibreTexts Course Shells
The Course Shells area holds campus- and faculty-specific course areas. Each course shell is uniquely designed to address the needs of faculty and their students and typically contain text remixes (i.e., texts generated from existing content often with customized editing and/or content interspersed) that students and faculty can directly access for their class activities. The Course shells can be exported into Learning Management Systems or as PDFs or even as physical texts available on the Libretexts Bookstore. For details in how to construct a Course Shell for your class contact us at info@libretexts.org.
Sumanas, Inc. Animation Gallery
Animated tutorials in a variety of formats for many scientific disciplines.
Wikiversity: Biology Wikimedia
This is a main category requiring frequent diffusion and maybe maintenance. As many pictures and media files as possible should be moved into appropriate subcategories.