Biology

This page describes a few of the many print and electronic resources that will be useful for research in biology. See also the Subject Guide pages for Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Environmental Science for related resources.

Reference Sources

Dictionaries | Encyclopedias | Handbooks

The following is a list of a few of the many reference sources available in the Timken Science Library that will be useful for locating information in biology. For a more extensive database of science reference sources available at the College, and more detailed descriptions, see Selected Bibliography of Science Reference Sources.

Dictionaries

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms Science Reference Q123 .M15 2003

This dictionary is intended for the scientific and engineering specialist as well as for the nonspecialist needing a comprehensive yet accessible resource for scientific terminology. Terms are identified by field of use.

Elsevier’s Dictionary of Biology Science Reference QH302.5 .E47 1998

Covers the terminology of biology as well as related terms from other sciences such as chemistry, physics and medicine.

A Dictionary of Genetics Science Reference QH427 .K55 2002

This dictionary includes 6,580 definitions of terms encountered in the genetics literature, as well as 395 illustrative diagrams and tables.

A Dictionary of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Science Reference QH540.4 .L56 1998

Provides brief definitions within the broad area of biodiversity studies, including the disciplines of botany, zoology, bacteriology, mineralogy, and paleontology, focusing on concepts, strategies, and methodologies.

The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms Science Reference QK10 .H53 2000

An illustrated glossary of more than 2,400 terms used to describe vascular plants.

The Plant-Book: A Portable Dictionary of the Vascular Plants Science Reference QK11 .M29 1997

A dictionary covering the vascular plants — their botany and relationships, their uses and common names. This dictionary attempts to “present all currently accepted generic and family names of flowering plants (including gymnosperms) and ferns and other Pteridophyta, as well as a wide range of English names encountered in literature.” Entries include family/generic names, number of genera/species, distribution, and details of botanical, horticultural, agricultural, medicinal or economic importance.

Units, Symbols and Terminology for Plant Physiology Science Refence QK710.5 .U55 1996

This book provides information on units of measurement, terminology, and symbols used in the plant sciences. It also includes guidelines for the presentation of data.

A Dictionary of Zoology Science Reference QL9 .C66 2003

This zoological dictionary covers evolutionary concepts, animal behavior, Earth history, cytology, physiology, zoogeography, taxonomic principles and genetics. Taxa covered include invertebrates (especially arthropods), fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.

A Dictionary of Entomology Science Reference QL462.3 .G67 2001

Entries in this dictionary include terms from Torre-Bueno's Glossary of Entomology and other terms encountered in the primary entomological literature. Terms are arranged alphabetically, and entries include definitions, part of speech, alternate spellings and etymology. Entries are also included for important entomologists, common and scientific names of insects and names of insect families.

Animal Behavior Desk Reference: A Dictionary of Animal Behavior, Ecology and Evolution Science Reference QL750.3 .B37 2001

This dictionary provides definitions for conceptual terms used in animal behavior. Relationships among terms are summarized in tables. Many terms are organized in hierarchical clusters.

Cambridge Dictionary of Human Biology and Evolution Science Reference QP34.5 .M24 2005

This dictionary defines terms used in human biology and evolution drawn from such diverse fields as anthropology, anatomy, evolutionary biology, genetics, geology, physiology and zoology. Ten appendices include a taxonomy of extinct primates, the terrestrial chronology of the Pleistocene “ice age” in the northern hemisphere and an event timeline of human biology and evolution.

Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Science Reference QR9 .S56 2001

Provides clear and timely definitions for the terminology of modern microbiology and molecular biology, while integrating the overall biological context of the field. Makes extensive use of cross-references, and includes references to recent papers, reviews and mongraphs in microbiology and related fields.

Dictionary of Environmental Microbiology Science Reference QR100 .S74 2003

This dictionary defines terms used in all aspects of environmental microbiology, including the molecular nature, structure and function of the organisms, applied microbiology, and sampling, processing and assay methods.

Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Global Change: Environmental Change and Human Society Science Reference GE149 .E47 2002 v.1-2

This two-volume encyclopedia addresses issues of “natural and anthropogenic changes in the Earth’s physical, chemical and biological systems and resources, and it examines the effects of those changes on human society.” — Introduction

AccessScience@McGraw-Hill: The Online Encyclopedia

This is the electronic access version of the 10^th edition of McGraw-Hill’s Encyclopedia of Science and Technology WOO Science Reference Q121 .M3 2002 v.1-20, a highly technical encyclopedia in the sciences. The Web site provides fully searchable content from more than 8,500 articles in the latest edition of the encyclopedia as well as definitions from McGraw Hill’s Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, biographies of more than 2,000 scientists, bibliographies containing more than 28,000 literature citations and a well-developed subject directory of Web links.

Encyclopedia of the Biosphere: Humans in the World’s Ecosystems Science Reference QH343.4 .B5613 2000 v.1-11

This 11-volume encyclopedia provides comprehensive coverage of the earth’s major biomes, with emphasis on how these ecosystems have been impacted by human activity.

Encyclopedia of Evolution Science Reference QH360.2 .E54 2002 v.1-2

This encyclopedia presents overview articles on broad topics as well as technical and topical articles which pursue a topic in greater depth. Although most of the articles are arranged alphabetically, the Topical Outline links articles from different parts of the encyclopedia together in conceptual categories.

Encyclopedia of Genetics Science Reference QH427 .E53 2002 v.1-4

This four-volume encyclopedia covers the field of genetics in alphabetically arranged entries which vary in length from brief definitions to signed, multipage essays. A complete index and extensive use of cross references facilitate access.

Encyclopedia of Biodiversity Science Reference QH541.15 .B56 E53 2001 v.1-5

This five-volume, alphabetically arranged encyclopedia provides a “comprehensive study of the topic of diversity in the natural world.” Each article includes title and author; an outline of the general content of the article; a glossary; an introductory paragraph which defines the topic; the body of the article; cross references to other articles in the encyclopedia; and a bibliography of relevant print and web resources. Volume 5 includes a subject index and glossary.

Encyclopedia of North American Trees Science Reference QK110 .B46 2000

Entries for each of 278 species include botanical name, habitat preference, identifying characteristics, and environmental and human value.

Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia Science Reference QL7 .G7813 2003 v.1-17

Each of the first 16 volumes of the second edition of this classic encyclopedia covers a distinct group of animals. Chapters are organized taxonomically. Family chapters include a thumbnail introduction, the main essay, species accounts, and lists of resources. Also included are a list of further readings, list of relevant organizations, a glossary, species list and a detailed subject index. Volume 17 contains the cumulative subject index.

Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World’s Wildlife Science Reference QL45.2 .A56 2001

This book is divided into three main sections: the Introduction, a section on Habitats, and the main section containing descriptions and illustrations of more than 2000 animal species.

Encyclopedia of Insects Science Reference QL462.3 .E485 2003

Each article in this encyclopedia falls within twelve general subject areas, including anatomy; physiology; behavior; evolution; reproduction; development and metamorphosis; major groups and notable forms; interaction with other organisms; interactions with humans; habitats; ecology; and history and methodology.

Evolution of the Insects Science Reference QL468.7 >g75 2005

This volume covers the evolutionary history of insects, including their living diversity, relationships and 400 million years of fossils. Introductory chapters discuss living species, diversity, methods of reconstructing evolutionary relationships, insect morphology, modes of insect fossilization and fossil deposits. The introductory chapters are followed by major sections about the relationships and evolution of each order of insects.

The Birds of North America: Life Histories for the 21^st Century Science Reference QL681 .B57 1992

This set provides individual, self-contained profiles of the bird species native to North America. Each profile includes a color picture of the species, maps illustrating breeding, wintering, and year round distribution; annual cycles; and other information about the species, including distinguishing characteristics, systematics, migration, habitat, food habits, sounds, behavior, breeding, etc. Each profile ends with a bibliography of key references.

Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior Science Reference QL750.3 .E53 2004 v.1-3

This encyclopedia is a comprehensive collection of original essays on animal behavior drawn from multiple disciplines, including biology, psychology, anthropology and sociology.

Encyclopedia of Human Biology Science Reference QP11 .E53 1997 v.1-9

This easy-to-use reference which presents a complete overview of the current state of knowledge of human biology. A glossary of unfamiliar terms and a bibliography are included with each article.

Encyclopedia of Reproduction Science Reference QP251 .E48125 1998 v.1-4

This four-volume encyclopedia serves as a comprehensive source of information on all aspects of reproduction in the animal kingdom. Each of the 542 entries is self-contained and consists of a glossary of terms, a summary introduction, cross-references to related articles and a reading list, in addition to the text of the articles.

Hormones, Brain and Behavior Science Reference QP356.45 .H433 2002 v.1-5

This five-volume work reviews hormone-brain-behavior relations from a molecular genetic approach as well as neuroanatomomical, eletrophysiological, zoological, neurochemical, developmental and behavioral studies.

Encyclopedia of Microbiology Science Reference QR9 .E53 1992 v.1-4

This encyclopedia covers the study of microorganisms including the basic science and roles of these organisms in agriculture and technology, and public health and medicine.

The Botanical Garden Science Reference SB450.97 .P45 2002 v.1-2

The two volumes in this set provide a source of information and photographs of more than 1000 genera of temperate plants. The first volume covers tress and shrubs, and the second volume covers perennials and annuals. The plants are arranged in evolutionary order and each entry includes:

• Name (genus, species and common names, date of discovery and range)
• Description
• Key recognition features
• Ecology and geography
• Comments on cultivation needs and notes about unusual hybrids or developments in the genus.

Handbooks

CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics Science Reference QD65 .H3 2007-08

Provides the latest and most accurate ready-reference information for the chemical and physical sciences. Includes basic constants, units and conversion factors, data on the physical constants of organic and inorganic compounds, fluid properties, properties of solids and much more. A general index facilitates access to required data.

Handbook of Biodiversity Methods: Survey, Evaluation and Monitoring Science Reference QH541.15 .B56 H35 2005

The purpose of this handbook is to enable the collection and evaluation of biodiversity data according to standard procedures. Part I focuses on planning, including setting objectives. selecting appropriate methods and designing the monitoring program, sampling strategy and data analysis. Parts II and III are devoted to habitats and species survey, evaluation and monitoring.

Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique Science Reference QH585.2 .F74 2000

Provides the basic techniques of cell and tissue culture in step-by-step protocols.

Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada Science Reference QK117 .G49 1991

This manual is intended to facilitate the identification of vascular plants growing wild in the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada.

Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist’s Manual: Illustrations of the Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada Science Reference QK117 .H65 1998

This illustrated companion to the second edition of Gleason and Cronquist’s manual provides line drawings to accompany the written descriptions of plant species, facilitating plant identification.

Handbook of Laboratory Animal Science. Volume 1. Essential Principles and Practices Science Reference QL55 .H36 2003 v.1

Each of the 22 chapters in this handbook focuses on an important subdiscipline of laboratory animal science, including Animal Research Ethics, Phenotypic Characterization of Genetically Engineered Mice, Health Status and Health Monitoring, and Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis.

Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity: With a Photographic Guide to Insects of Eastern North America Science Reference QL493 .M34 2006

This reference provides an introduction to the natural history and diversity of insects found in northeastern North America — east of the Mississippi River and north of Georgia. Excellent color photographs provide a visual overview of the diversity of species. A detailed picture key is provided to facilitate identification to the correct family.

American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico Science Reference QL474 .A76 2000

This handbook contains a description of each known order of insects, a description of each family of insects known to occur in North America, and a listing in taxonomic sequence of each described genus of insect known to occur in North America. It is illustrated with drawings and black and white photographs.

Handbook of Ethological Methods Science Reference QL751 .L398 1996

A compilation of procedures, techniques, and tools for a practical approach to the study of animal behavior. Chapters cover research questions, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of results.

Current Protocols in Neuroscience Science Reference QP357 .C87 1999 v.1-3

This manual brings together a collection of important techniques that need to be accessible in a neurobiological laboratory. It is updated quarterly.

The Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology Science Reference QR48 .H35 2003

This handbook provides an introduction to water and wastewater microbiology. It is divided into four parts covering basic microbiology, water and excretia-related diseases, microbiology of wastewater treatment and drinking water microbiology.

Handbook of Microbiological Media Science Reference QR66.3 .A85 1997

This handbook provides the formulations, methods of preparation, and uses for several thousand different media in a consistent format.

The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory Animals Science Reference SF406 .U55 1999 v.1-2

Provides authoritative information and advice on the care of laboratory animals. Volume 1 covers terrestial vertebrates, and volume 2 covers amphibious and aquatic vertebrates and advanced invertebrates.

Reviews of the Literature

Reviews of the literature survey the important primary literature sources and other works on a particular topic, usually over a given time span. They provide the bibliographic information needed to find the original works, and summarize the most important points about advances in that period.

Advances in Ecological Research Science QH540 .A23 v.1-

This series reviews the literature of ecological research. Each volume has a different editor and focuses on a particular subject area.

International Review of Cytology: A Survey of the Cell Science QH573 .I5 v.1-

This series presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology.

Advances in Insect Physiology Science QL495 .A23 v.1-

Each volume in this series contains articles that review the recent research in some aspect of insect physiology.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology Science QL951 .C8 v.1-

This series provides comprehensive reviews of research on developmental mechanisms.

Handbook of Physiology Science Reference QP6 .H25 1977

This comprehensive treatise presents research results and bibliographic references. Each of the eleven sections may contain several volumes and parts. Frequent updates.

Recent Progress in Hormone Research Science QP187 .R32 v.13-14, 17-

The purpose of this series is the "publication of critical evaluations and work-in-progress by leading investigations" in the field of hormone research.

Annual Review series

Distinguished researchers and editors critically review and synthesize the most significant research literature in subdisciplines of the biological, medical, physical, and social sciences. Some Annual Review titles are now displaying Reviews in Advance up to seven months in advance of the print volume. Reviews in Advance are full-length reviews published online immediately after full editing and revision. Some of the titles appearing annually in the biological sciences are listed below.

Annual Review of Genetics Science QH431 .A1 A54 v.1-37 and online from Annual Reviews (1996 to the present), and EBSCOhost (1967 through all but the past 12 months)

Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics Science QH540 .A53 v.1-34 and online from Annual Reviews (1996 to the present), and EBSCOhost (1970 through all but the past 12 months), and JSTOR (1970 through all but the past five years)

Annual Review of Plant Biology Science QK1 .A48 v.1-54 and online from Annual Reviews (1996 to the present) and Reviews in Advance, EBSCOhost (1996- all but the past 12 months). This series was formerly known as the Annual Review of Plant Physiology (1950-1987) and Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology (1988-2001).

Annual Review of Entomology Science QL461 .A6 v.1-29 and online from Annual Reviews (1996 to the present) and EBSCOhost (1997 through all but the past 12 months)

Annual Review of Physiology Science QP1 .A535 v.6, v.19-65 and online from Annual Reviews (1996 to the present) and EBSCOhost (1997 through all but the past 12 months)

Annual Review of Microbiology Science QR1 .A5 v.10-57 and online from Annual Reviews (1996 to the present) and Reviews in Advance, and EBSCOhost (1996 through all but the past 12 months)

Indexes and Databases

Print and electronic indexes and abstracts provide access to the enormous quantity of science information published in widely-dispersed primary scientific literature found in journal articles. The libraries’ Databases by Title page provides access to all databases available to the college community. Online help is available within each search system and database. In addition to General Databases, there are many databases that focus entirely on the sciences. Selected Databases for Research in Science provides descriptions of the science-related databases. Indexes and databases that are especially useful for locating information in biology include:

AGRICOLA [EBSCOhost] (1970 to present)

This database includes references to more than 2.9 million records covering all aspects of agriculture, forestry, and animal science. Updated monthly.

BIOSIS Previews [OSearch] (1980 to present)

This database provides abstracts and bibliographic references to worldwide biological and medical literature. In addition to references to journal items focusing on vital biological and medical research findings, pharmacological studies, and discoveries of new organisms, the database also indexes reports, reviews and meetings.

Borror Laboratory of Bioacoustics

This database provides access to a collection of animal sounds being archived by the Borror Laboratory of Bioacoustics at The Ohio State University. For more information, see the Borror Laboratory’s Web page.

Environment Complete [EBSCOhost] (Coverage varies)

This database provides indexing for journals in the fields of environmental science, as well as full text for 400 journals, including many of the most used journals in the discipline. It also provides full text for selected monographs and for the conference papers of the North American Association of Environmental Education.

MEDLINE [OSearch] (1950-65), (1950 to present) and (2002 to present )

MEDLINE contains bibliographic citations and author abstracts from more than 3,900 biomedical journals covering the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, and the preclinical sciences.

PubMed and related sequence databases [NCBI Entrez] (1950 to present)

PubMed provides access to the bibliographic information in the MEDLINE database using the Entrez search and retrieval system. It also provides links to the NCBI sequence, structure, and reference databases.

Science Citation Index Expanded [ISI] (1980 to present)

This multidisciplinary database covering the journal literature of science provides basic subject and author searching as well as cited reference searching, which permits searching the database for articles that cite a known author or work.

SciFinder Scholar [Chemical Abstracts Service] (1907 to present)

Chemical Abstract Service databases provide the most comprehensive coverage of the chemical literature through SciFinder Scholar. This user-friendly, natural language search system is available in the Timken Science Library computer lab.

OhioLINK Electronic Journals Center

The Search function of OhioLINK EJC permits users to search the current OhioLINK database of electronic journals, including titles from Academic Press, American Chemical Society, American Physical Society, Elsevier Science, Institute of Physics, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Royal Society of Chemistry, Springer-Verlag, Wiley and other publishers. (NOTE: Using the OhioLINK EJC search function only retrieves articles from journals available electronically through the EJC. While this may provide a good starting place, a comprehensive search usually requires use of one or more discipline-specific databases.)

JSTOR

JSTOR creates and maintains a digital archive of scholarly journals spanning many disciplines. The biological sciences are well-represented in JSTOR, including journals in ecology, botany, biodiversity, conservation, paleontology, cell biology and zoology. Because JSTOR is an archival collection, there is a gap between the current issues and the back issues that are available. See JSTOR: The Moving Wall for more information. (NOTE: Using the JSTOR search function only retrieves articles from journals available through JSTOR. While this may provide a good starting place, a comprehensive search usually requires the use of one or more discipline-specific databases.)

Locating Full Text of Journal Articles

Once you have retrieved citations to relevant articles from print indexes and abstracts, electronic research databases, bibliographies and other sources, you will need to determine whether they are available at the College of Wooster. Many articles are available by linking from within an electronic database, but other articles may be available in print, microform or online that are not accessible by direct link from a database.

To determine whether the college has access to a particular journal title in any format, search by title from the Wooster e-Journals and Journals page. You may also browse a complete list of journal titles by subject category from the same page.

For a more detailed description of how to determine whether a journal article is available at Wooster, see Lesson 9: Finding Full Text of Journal Articles in the Guide to Library Research in Science.

Selected Internet Sites

The following is a list of a few of the many gateways to biological resources on the World Wide Web.

Google Scholar

The Google Scholar search engine locates scholarly literature from a wide variety of academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories and universities, as well as scholarly articles available across the web. Results are ranked by relevance, taking into account the full text of each article as well as the article’s author, the publication in which the article appeared and how often it has been cited in scholarly literature. Search results may include citations of older works and seminal articles that appear only in books or other offline publications.

Virtual Library: BioSciences

Provides access to many other Web sites in the biological sciences in categories including botany, developmental biology, ecology and biodiversity, forest genetics and tree breeding, genetics, microbiology, mycology, neurobiology, parasitology, and physiology and biophysics.

National Biological Information Infrastructure

This collaborative effort among federal, state, international, non-government, academic and private industry partners provides access to biological databases, information resources, directories, news of current biological issues and teacher resources.

Internet Directory for Botany

An index to botanical information compiled by scientists from the United States, Finland and Canada. It includes an alphabetical list of sites as well as subject categories and keyword searching.

BiologyBrowser

This free web site, produced by BIOSIS, provides access to some BIOSIS resources and links to current science news, relevant web sites and more.

Integrated Taxonomic Information System

This site provides access to a database of information on species names and their hierarchical classification. The entry for each scientific name includes the authority (author and date), taxonomic rank, associated synonyms and common names, a unique taxonomic serial number, data source information (publications, experts, etc.) and data quality indicators.

Kimball’s Biology Pages

This site, derived from the author’s textbook (Kimball’s Biology, sixth edition 1994) serves as an encyclopedic dictionary of biology. The site is updated monthly to incorporate new research.

PLANTS National Database

Produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Division of the United States Department of Agriculture, this database “provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts and lichens of the U.S. and its territories.”

Microbes.info: The Microbiology Information Portal

This site serves as a gateway to microbiological information, including news items; feature articles on topics such as bioterrorism and food microbiology; frequently asked questions; bacterial images and descriptions; and Internet links.

Iowa State Entomology Index of Internet Resources

This site maintains and organizes a database of useful Internet resources in the field of entomology. Entries can be viewed by category (content type, biological taxonomy and entomological subdiscipline), or searched by keyword.

AmphibiaWeb

This site provides access to information relating to amphibian biology and conservation. The site includes information about more than 6,000 amphibian species, including species accounts, distribution maps, literature references, sound files and photographs.

NatureServe

This site serves as a gateway to biodiversity data for species and ecosystems in the Western Hemisphere.

Global Invasive Species Initiative

Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy’s Wildland Invasive Species Program and hosted at the University of California Davis, this site provides access to many resources related to the damage caused to native biodiversity by the introduction of harmful invasive species.

The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

This site contains more than 50,000 searchable text pages and 40,000 images of Darwin’s publications and handwritten manuscripts. It also includes an extensive bibliography, manuscript catalogue and ancillary texts. Both the fully formatted electronic text and images of the original documents are provided and can be viewed side-by-side.

Guide to Library Research in Science

In an increasingly complex information environment, it is important that individuals develop the ability to determine when and what kind of information is needed, and to locate, evaluate, and use it effectively. Science Librarian Donna Jacobs has prepared a Guide to Library Research in Science, which consists of several integrated lessons, to help you with each stage of your library research.

Need Help?

Donna Ja

cobs
Science Librarian
330/263-2280