35 Biology
Anatomy and Physiology
OpenStax
2022
Licence: CC BY
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.
Formats: Online, PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 235 / HLST 200
Anatomy and Physiology 2e
OpenStax
2022
Licence: CC BY
Anatomy and Physiology 2e is developed to meet the scope and sequence for a two-semester human anatomy and physiology course for life science and allied health majors. The book is organized by body systems. The revision focuses on inclusive and equitable instruction and includes new student support. Illustrations have been extensively revised to be clearer and more inclusive. The web-based version of Anatomy and Physiology 2e also features links to surgical videos, histology, and interactive diagrams. Please learn more about the changes by previewing the preface.
Formats: Online, PDF, and more
Suggested for: BIOL 235 / HLST 200
Anatomy and Physiology (Boundless)
LibreTexts
2023
Licence: CC BY-SA
Available through LibreTexts, this is a comprehensive text covering topics ranging from the human body organ systems, immunology, human development, reproduction, nutrition, metabolism, disorders and aging of organ systems.
Formats: Online, PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 235 / HLST 200
Anatomy and Physiology (Open Oregon State)
Lindsay M. Biga, Sierra Dawson, Amy Harwell, Robin Hopkins, Joel Kaufmann, Mike LeMaster, Philip Matern, Katie Morrison-Graham, Devon Quick and Jon Runyeon (Oregon State University)
2019
Licence: CC BY-SA
An adapted version of the OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology with revised content and artwork, Open Oregon State, Oregon State University. Anatomy and Physiology is a dynamic textbook for the yearlong Human Anatomy and Physiology course taught at most two- and four-year colleges and universities to students majoring in nursing and allied health. A&P is 28 chapters of pedagogically effective learning content, organized by body system, and written at an audience-appropriate level. The lucid text, strategically constructed art, inspiring career features, and links to external learning tools address the critical teaching and learning challenges in the course.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 235 / HLST 200
Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual for Nursing and Allied Health
Marz, Kamatchi, D’Silva, Prabhakaran, Chandra, and Isekeije (Norfolk State University)
2020
Licence: CC BY
Adapted from OpenStax version.
Formats: Online, PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 235 / HLST 200
Applied Human Anatomy
Michael Nolan and John McNamara
2022
Licence: CC BY
Applied Human Anatomy was created to better integrate material that is more often than not treated separately in contemporary health care curricula. It is hoped that through this integration students will develop a deeper and more lasting knowledge and understanding of human anatomy as they are likely to need it in the evaluation and management of patients.
Formats: PDF, Word
Suggested for: BIOL 235 / HLST 200
Basic Cell and Molecular Biology: What We Know & How We Found Out, 4th Edition
Gerald Bergtrom
2020
CMB5e is the latest edition of an interactive Open Educational Resource (OER) electronic textbook (iText), available under a Creative Commons CC-BY license. Like earlier editions, CMB5e opens with a short history of the discipline and a discussion of scientific method. The book remains focused on the understanding of evolution that informs all of the life sciences and continues to provide experimental support for what we know about cell and molecular biology. Having a sense of how science is practiced and how investigators think about experimental results is essential to understanding the relationship of cell structure and function, not to mention the natural world around us.
Licence: CC BY
Formats: PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 401
Biology for Majors I
Lumen Learning
2017
Licence: CC BY
This text created through Lumen Learning to provide an expansive overview of introductory biology for science students. The broad and specific approaches provide academic freedom for instructors and provide the necessary information for students.
Format: Online
Suggested for: BIOL 204
Biology for Majors II
Lumen Learning
2017
Licence: CC BY
This text created through Lumen Learning to provide an expansive overview of introductory biology for science students. The broad and specific approaches provide academic freedom for instructors and provide the necessary information for students.
Format: Online
Suggested for: BIOL 207
Biology 2e
Mary Ann Clark (Texas Wesleyan University), Jung Choi (Georgia Institute of Technology), and Matthew Douglas (Grand Rapids Community College) (OpenStax)
2018
Licence: CC BY
Biology 2e is an OpenStax biology textbook with all of the concepts covered in two terms of first-year biology. It was written by biology professors from several American institutions and is faculty-reviewed.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 204
Building a Medical Terminology Foundation
Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford
2022
Licence: CC BY
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.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more
Suggested for: BIOL 235 / HLST 200
Cell Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry for Pre-Clinical Students
Renée J. LeClair (Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine)
2021
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
An undergraduate medical-level resource for foundational knowledge across the disciplines of genetics, cell biology and biochemistry. This text is designed for a course in first year undergraduate medical course that is delivered typically before students start to explore systems physiology and pathophysiology.
Formats: Online
Suggested for: BIOL 401
Concepts of Biology (OpenStax)
Samantha Fowler (Clayton State University), Rebecca Roush (Sandhills Community College), and James Wise (Hampton University)
2023
Licence: CC BY
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.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 204
Concepts of Biology – First Canadian Edition
Charles Molnar and Jane Gair (Camosun College)
2015
Licence: CC BY
In this survey text, directed at those not majoring in biology, we dispel the assumption that a little learning is a dangerous thing. We hope that by skimming the surface of a very deep subject, biology, we may inspire you to drink more deeply and make more informed choices relating to your health, the environment, politics, and the greatest subject that are all of us are entwined in, life itself. Canadian adaptation of Concepts of Biology.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more
Suggested for: BIOL 204
Ecology: Population Growth
Sofia Perin and Teaching and Learning Support Service (University of Ottawa)
2021
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
Ecology: Population Growth is a Canadian adaptation of Connecting Concepts: Interactive Lessons in Biology by Robert Jeanne and Jan Cheetham (University of Wisconsin). It includes interactive lessons on exponential growth focusing on the zebra mussel population, logistic growth using fish as an example, and elephant population growth.
Format: Online
Suggested for: BIOL 345
Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Ajna Rivera (University of the Pacific)
2021
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
The fields of Development and Evolution cannot be truly separated. When we study Developmental Biology we are mostly looking at a fine-tuned mechanical and genetic process that has been selected on for eons. Not only can evolution select on the final product – a working, fertile adult – but also can act at each developmental stage. It is easy to see how evolution acts through natural selection on adults, but how can it act on development itself?
Formats: Online and PDF
Forensic Toxicology: From Crime Scene to the Virtual Lab
Sanela Martic (Trent University)
2022
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
Take a virtual tour from fundamental toxicology through laboratory demonstrations to court cases that focus on analysis, interpretation, and reporting of toxicological results in a forensic science context.
Format: Online
Fundamentals of Cell Biology
Lauren Dalton (Oregon State University), Robin Young (University of British Columbia), and Heather Ng-Cornish
2024
Licence: CC BY-NC
This textbook is focused specifically on the principles and concepts of a foundational Cell Biology course. The book takes a more conceptual approach that highlights how scientists study cells, and how to analyze and interpret experimental results. Rather than focusing primarily on historical experiments that were key to our understanding of cells, the book explores a range of more modern experimental techniques so that students can begin to understand how cells are studied now, in the 21st century. The book includes over 200 newly created illustrations and animations, that were specifically designed for this book, as well as review questions at the end of each chapter, to help students explore and understand the material.
Formats: Online, eBook, PDF
Fundamentals of Microbiology Lab Manual
Deon O’Bryant, Sasha Guillory, and Bryan Mitchell (Atlanta Metropolitan State College)
2020
Licence: CC BY
This lab manual for Fundamentals of Microbiology was developed to supplement OpenStax Microbiology at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. Topics include smear preparation, simple, gram, acid, and endospore staining, environmental effects on bacterial growth, and bacterial isolation from a mixed culture.
Format: PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 325
General Biology I: Survey of Cellular Biology
Lisa Bartee and Christine Anderson (Mt Hood Community College) (OpenOregon)
2018
Licence: CC BY
BI101: Survey of Cellular Biology is intended for one term of the introductory biology course for non-science majors taught at many two- and four-year colleges. The concepts of cellular biology, as they apply to the study of life, are introduced, including parts of a cell, metabolism, and homeostasis.
Suggested for: BIOL 401
General Biology II: Survey of Molecular Life and Genetics
Lisa Bartee and Christine Anderson (Mt Hood Community College) (OpenOregon)
2018
Licence: CC BY
BI102: Survey of Molecular Life and Genetics is intended for one term of the introductory biology course for non-science majors taught at many two- and four-year colleges. The concepts of genetics, as they apply to the study of life, are introduced, including the principles of inheritance, genetics, and gene regulation.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more
Includes: Learning objectives
Suggested for: BIOL 341
General Microbiology – 1st Edition
Linda Bruslind (Oregon State University)
2020
Licence: CC BY-NC
Welcome to the wonderful world of microbiology! Yay! So. What is microbiology? If we break the word down it translates to “the study of small life,” where the small life refers to microorganisms or microbes. But who are the microbes? And how small are they? Generally microbes can be divided into two categories: the cellular microbes (or organisms) and the acellular microbes (or agents). In the cellular camp we have the bacteria, the archaea, the fungi, and the protists (a bit of a grab bag composed of algae, protozoa, slime molds, and water molds). Cellular microbes can be either unicellular, where one cell is the entire organism, or multicellular, where hundreds, thousands or even billions of cells can make up the entire organism. In the acellular camp we have the viruses and other infectious agents, such as prions and viroids. In this textbook the focus will be on the bacteria and archaea (traditionally known as the “prokaryotes,”) and the viruses and other acellular agents.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, and MOBI
Suggested for: BIOL 325
Human Biology
Suzanne Wakim and Mandeep Grewal (Butte College)
Last updated: January 2021
Licence: CC BY-NC
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.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 230
Human Biology
Christine Miller (Thompson Rivers University)
2020
Licence: CC BY-NC
This textbook is ideal for an introductory level Human Biology course. It is aligned with the British Columbia Adult Basic Education learning outcomes for Provincial Level Biology, which is the equivalent of Grade 12 Anatomy and Physiology. This textbook begins with an introduction to sciences and the scientific method, and then addresses the human body in increasing scale: from biological molecules, to cells and tissues, to organs and all eleven organ systems; with an overarching focus on health. The text employs clear writing, case studies for each chapter, interactive self-marking study activities, highlights of Indigenous knowledge and examples, pop-up glossary, and links to resources for extending learning.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, and MOBI
Suggested for: BIOL 230
An Interactive Introduction to Organismal and Molecular Biology
Andrea Bierema (Michigan State University)
2020
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
This “textbook” is interactive, meaning that although each chapter has text, they also have interactive H5P content, such as quizzes, simulations, interactive videos, and images with clickable hotspots. Students receive instant feedback when they complete the interactive content, and therefore, can learn and check their understanding all in one place. The first unit introduces students to the nature of science, including scientific controversies, and information literacy, including how to analyze literature and identify stakeholders. Unit 2 is organismal biology, including carbon cycling and population growth, and unit 3 is molecular biology with a focus on gene expression.
Formats: Online, PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and more
Suggested for: BIOL 401
Introduction to Biological Psychology
Catherine Hall
2023
Licence: CC BY-NC
An open access textbook designed primarily for use by first and second year undergraduate students of British Psychological Society accredited Psychology degree courses in the UK.
Formats: Online, eBook, PDF
Introduction to Epigenetics
Springer Nature
2021
Licence: CC BY
This open access textbook leads the reader from basic concepts of chromatin structure and function and RNA mechanisms to the understanding of epigenetics, imprinting, regeneration and reprogramming.
Formats: PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 341
Introductory Animal Physiology
Sanja Hinic-Frlog (University of Toronto Mississauga)
Licence: CC BY
This book is an introduction to the diversity of structure and function in animals at the tissue and organ system level. The focus of this book is on principles and mechanisms that sustain life and maintain homeostasis, including water balance, gas exchange, acquisition and transport of oxygen and nutrients, temperature regulation, electrical and chemical signal transmission, sensory processing, and locomotion. The content in this open textbook was adapted from other open textbooks (CC-BY-4.0) resources or created/written by Sanja Hinic-Frlog and collaborators. Collaborators include: Jessica Hanley, Simone Laughton, and invited undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Formats: Online, EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more
Suggested for: BIOL 320
Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology: Discovering the Unseen World Through Hands-On Investigation
Susan McLaughlin and Joan Petersen (Queensborough Community College)
2016
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
The exercises in this laboratory manual are designed to engage students in hand-on activities that reinforce their understanding of the microbial world. Topics covered include: staining and microscopy, metabolic testing, physical and chemical control of microorganisms, and immunology. The target audience is primarily students preparing for a career in the health sciences, however many of the topics would be appropriate for a general microbiology course as well.
Format: PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 325
Microbiology
Nina Parker (Shenandoah University) (OpenStax)
2016
Licence: CC BY
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.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 325
Microbiology for Allied Health Students
Molly Smith and Sara Selby (South Georgia State University)
2017
Licence: CC BY
Microbiology for Allied Health Students is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements for the single semester Microbiology course for non-majors and allied health students. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of Microbiology for Allied Health Students make the material interesting and accessible to students while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter.
Format: PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 325
A Primer for Computational Biology
Shawn T. O’Neil (Oregon State University)
2019
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
This book aims to teach these basics of scientific computing: skills that even in fields such as computer science are often gained informally over a long period of time. This book is intended for readers who have passing familiarity with computing. The discussion and examples are framed in the analysis of biological data, and thus assume some basic biological knowledge, including concepts such as genes, genomes, and proteins. This book covers topics such as the usage of the command-line interface, installing and running bioinformatics software (without access to administrator privileges on the machine), basic analysis of data using built-in system tools, visualization of results, and introductory programming techniques in languages commonly used for bioinformatics.
Formats: Online, EPUB, and PDF
Suggested for: BIOL 341
Unfolding the Mystery of Life, Biology Lab Manual for Non-Science Majors
Ellen Genovesi, Laura Blinderman, and Patrick Natale (Mercer County Community College)
2019
Licence: CC BY
This laboratory manual is intended for use in a biology laboratory course taken by non-science majors, pre-biology, and pre-allied health majors.
Laboratory exercises provide students with experience in basic laboratory skills, gathering and organizing data, measuring and calculating, hypothesis testing, analysis of data, writing, and laboratory safety. The skill sets are designed to promote the development of critical thought and analysis. Students work with living and preserved specimens, and laboratory reagents and equipment.
Format: PDF