Freedom251 › Biology Learning Software
Biology Labs Online
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 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 suits
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 it does well
- 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.
Limits
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.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 12 interactive biology simulations and exercises | Free |
As sciencecourseware.org lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- 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.
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.
Questions
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.
Facts from Biology Labs Online's own pages
- Browser compatibility
- The site says Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari on Mac, Opera, and Brave have been tested on Windows and Mac. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 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. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- 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. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 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. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The opened official pages describe no third-party integrations; they mention MERLOT as an online resource community for instructors. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Intended use
- The labs address biological principles that may be too dangerous, expensive, or time-consuming to study in wet labs. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Learning approach
- The activities are designed to reinforce scientific methodology and are described as interactive, inquiry-based, vertically scalable, modular, and self-contained. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Mobile limitation
- The applets assume mouse input and do not work well on mobile devices. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Saving notes
- Notebook data must be exported to the user's local drive or copied into another document to be saved. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Scope limit
- The activities are not designed to replace traditional wet labs, serve as stand-alone tutorials, or function as online courses. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Security and compliance
- The opened official pages do not state security certifications, privacy practices, or compliance standards. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- Users can report unlisted applet issues by emailing [email protected] with the applet name and a detailed description. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Topics
- The labs cover inheritance, evolution, genetics, population growth, protein structure and function, electron transport, plant physiology, cardiovascular homeostasis, and enzyme biochemistry. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
- What it offers
- Biology Labs Online offers 12 interactive, inquiry-based biology simulations and exercises for college and AP high school biology students. · sciencecourseware.org, 30 Sept 2026
Where Biology Labs Online stands on Freedom251
- Biology Learning Software#6 of 24