Biology Labs Online is a free web collection of 12 interactive biology simulations and exercises for college and AP high school learners. The activities explore inheritance, evolution, genetics, population growth, protein structure and function, electron transport, plant physiology, cardiovascular homeostasis, and enzyme biochemistry. They use inquiry-based exercises to reinforce scientific methodology, including biological principles that can be difficult to study in a wet lab because of danger, expense, or time. The labs are modular and self-contained, but are not meant to replace traditional lab work, serve as stand-alone tutorials, or function as online courses. Older Java applets run through CheerpJ conversion to JavaScript, which the site notes can have minor quirks. The site lists several tested browsers on Windows and Mac, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari on Mac, Opera, and Brave. Many applets can export data and graphs, though pop-ups must be allowed. Notebook data needs to be exported or copied elsewhere to retain it.
Who it is for
It suits college and AP biology learners looking for interactive exercises across a range of biological topics. Instructors can request access to additional instructor resources.
What is good
- Free plan includes 12 interactive simulations and exercises.
- Covers a broad range of biology topics.
- Many applets export data and graphs.
- Instructor resources are available by request.
What to know first
- Not designed to replace traditional wet labs.
- Applet conversion may have minor quirks.
- Applets do not work well on mobile devices.
- Notebook data must be exported or copied to save.
Verdict
Biology Labs Online offers a broad set of free, inquiry-based biology activities for web users. Its limits matter: it complements rather than replaces wet labs, and mobile use and saving notebook work require workarounds.
Get started with Biology Labs Online
- Open the Biology Labs Online website in a browser.
- Use a browser listed as tested on Windows or Mac: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari on Mac, Opera, or Brave.
- Choose a biology simulation or exercise to begin.
- Allow pop-ups if you want exported data or graphs to open in a new browser window.
- Export notebook data to your local drive or copy it into another document to save it.
What the free plan stops at
The free collection contains 12 simulations and exercises. Activities are not designed to replace wet labs, serve as stand-alone tutorials, or function as online courses; applets assume mouse input and work poorly on mobile devices.
Questions about Biology Labs Online
Is Biology Labs Online free?
Yes. The plan is free and includes 12 interactive biology simulations and exercises.
What subjects do the labs cover?
Topics include inheritance, evolution, genetics, population growth, protein structure and function, electron transport, plant physiology, cardiovascular homeostasis, and enzyme biochemistry.
Which platforms and browsers does it support?
It is web-based. The site lists Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari on Mac, Opera, and Brave as tested on Windows and Mac.
Can I use it on a phone or tablet?
The applets assume mouse input and do not work well on mobile devices.
Can instructors access teaching resources?
Instructors can request access by emailing [email protected] with their name and institution. Reviewed requests usually receive credentials within 24 hours.
Biology Labs Online plans and pricing
All plansCompared on biology learning software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Virtual labs
- Yes
- Biology simulations
- Yes
- Assessment tools
- Yes
- Teacher tools
- Yes
- Primary learner level
- mixed
- Supported platforms
- web
