Biology Labs Online
Biology Labs Online is a free web collection of 12 interactive biology simulations and exercises for college and AP high school students.
What Biology Labs Online is
Biology Labs Online is a free web collection of 12 interactive biology simulations and exercises for college and AP high school students. Its topics include inheritance, evolution, genetics, population growth, protein structure and function, electron transport, plant physiology, cardiovascular homeostasis, and enzyme biochemistry. The activities use an inquiry-based approach to reinforce scientific methodology, including biological principles that may be dangerous, expensive, or time-consuming to study in wet labs. They are not intended to replace traditional lab work, function as standalone tutorials, or serve as online courses. Older Java applets are converted to JavaScript using CheerpJ, and the site notes that this conversion can have minor quirks. The applets assume mouse input and do not work well on mobile devices. Many allow data and graph exports, but pop-ups must be enabled for the output window to appear. Notebook data must be exported to a local drive or copied into another document to keep it. The site lists several tested browsers on Windows and Mac, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari on Mac, Opera, and Brave.
Good
- Offers 12 interactive biology simulations and exercises.
- Covers topics from genetics to cardiovascular homeostasis.
- Free to use.
- Many applets can export data and graphs.
Watch out
- Activities are not intended to replace wet labs.
- Applets do not work well on mobile devices.
- Saving notebook data requires exporting or copying it.
- Java-to-JavaScript conversion can have minor quirks.
Who it suits
Biology Labs Online suits college and AP high school biology students looking for interactive exercises on a range of topics. Instructors can request access to instructor resources by email.
Verdict
Biology Labs Online offers a free set of inquiry-based biology activities for web use, with a broad range of topics. Keep in mind that the activities supplement rather than replace wet labs, and that mobile use is limited.
Plans and prices
From Biology Labs Online's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 12 interactive biology simulations and exercises |
The facts
Each one read from Biology Labs Online's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Browser compatibility
- The site says Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari on Mac, Opera, and Brave have been tested on Windows and Mac.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Browser technology
- Older Java applets are made available through CheerpJ, which converts them to JavaScript, and the site notes that this conversion has minor quirks.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Learning approach
- The activities are designed to reinforce scientific methodology and are described as interactive, inquiry-based, vertically scalable, modular, and self-contained.checked 30 Sep 2026
What it does
- Exporting work
- Many applets can export data and graphs, and users must allow pop-ups for the exported output to appear in a new browser window.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Instructor resources
- Instructors can request access to instructor resources by emailing [email protected] with their name and institution; reviewed requests usually receive credentials within 24 hours.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The opened official pages describe no third-party integrations; they mention MERLOT as an online resource community for instructors.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Intended use
- The labs address biological principles that may be too dangerous, expensive, or time-consuming to study in wet labs.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Mobile limitation
- The applets assume mouse input and do not work well on mobile devices.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Saving notes
- Notebook data must be exported to the user's local drive or copied into another document to be saved.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Scope limit
- The activities are not designed to replace traditional wet labs, serve as stand-alone tutorials, or function as online courses.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security and compliance
- The opened official pages do not state security certifications, privacy practices, or compliance standards.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Users can report unlisted applet issues by emailing [email protected] with the applet name and a detailed description.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Topics
- The labs cover inheritance, evolution, genetics, population growth, protein structure and function, electron transport, plant physiology, cardiovascular homeostasis, and enzyme biochemistry.checked 30 Sep 2026
- What it offers
- Biology Labs Online offers 12 interactive, inquiry-based biology simulations and exercises for college and AP high school biology students.checked 30 Sep 2026
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