K-State Libraries - Subject Guides - Biology Reference Books

Subject Guides: Biology

Reference Books

Located in the Science Library Reference area on
First Floor, Hale Library

These books do not circulate

General Reference Works Botany Ornithology Zoology

General Reference Works:

Biology Data Book: QH 310.A39 1972
Three volume set covering data relating to human and animal biology. Volume 1 covers genetics and cytology, reproduction, development and growth, properties of biological substances, materials and methods. Volume 2 deals with biological regulators and toxins, environment and survival, parasitism and sensory and neuro-biology. Volume 3 covers nutrition, digestion and excretion, metabolism, respiration and circulation, and blood and other bodily fluids.
Encyclopedia of Bioethics: QH 323.E52 1995
Covers topics relating to the systematic study of the moral dimensions of the life sciences and health care. Topics include professional-patient relationships, public health, health care, fertility and reproduction, biomedical and behavioural research, mental health, sexuality and gender, death and dying, genetics, population ethics, organ and tissue transplantation, and the welfare and treatment of animals. Also covers religious traditions and historical perspectives.
Encyclopedia of Evolution: QH 360.2.E53 2002
Covers fundamental concepts, definitions and theories of evolution, evolutionary and population genetics, molecular evolution, bioinformatics and genomics, systematics and taxonomy, behavioural ecology and social evolution, cell and developmental biology, human cultural and biological evolution, paleontology, mathematical modelling and the evolutionary basis of disease.
Encyclopedia of Genetics: QH 427.E53 2002
Contains articles covering all major topics of genetics, the history of this field and the impact of genetics on medicine and agriculture. Arranged alphabetically.
Encyclopedia of Life Sciences: QH 302.5.E53 2000
Covers current theory, practice and understanding of all basic and many applied aspects of the life sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on cell and molecular biology and their relevance to medicine. Includes some brief biographies and general information pertaining to ethics and the history and practice of science.
Encyclopedia of Microbiology: QR 9.E53 2000
Topics arranged alphabetically. Covers 17 subject areas related to micro-organisms including microbes in extreme environments and biotechnology. Each article includes a glossary and bibliography.
Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology: QH 506.E53 1999
Focuses on the fundamentals of molecular biology and encompasses all aspects of the expression of genetic information. Covers applications to medicine, including diagnostic techniques for disease and genetic disorders, drugs and gene therapy.
Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences: GC 9.E58 2001
Covers information relating to the physics, chemistry, biology and geology of oceans. Also covers topics such as ocean technology, marine policy, environmental issues and the latest methods for studying the oceans. Charts, illustrations and colour photographs.
Encyclopedia of Reproduction: QP 251.E48125 1998
Volumes cover a vast range of topics dealing with all aspects of reproduction in the animal kingdom from invertebrate embryology and endocrinology to antepartum fetal assessment. In addition to pertinent references, each chapter contains a useful outline and glossary. The chapters are also summarized and provide cross references to related topics. A wide variety of illustrations including tables, graphs, drawings, and excellent photographs are well utilized in each entry.
Facts on File Dictionary of Biology: QH 302.5.F38
Contains 3,000 entries which explain the most frequently used terms in biology. Also includes line drawings.
International Women in Science : A Biographical Dictionary to 1950: Q 141.H2167 2001
Provides background information on almost 400 women from outside North America who contributed to scientific progress from 1600 to 1950. Each woman's childhood, education, motivation accomplishments and challenges are discussed in detail.
Notable Women in the Life Sciences : A Biographical Dictionary: QH 26.N68
This volume presents entries for 97 women associated with the life sciences. Each entry includes a chronology of "events in the scientist's life; a profile of her life, work, and contributions; and sources for further reading.
Women in the Biological Sciences : A biobibliographic source book: QH 26.W66
The volume includes 65 representative women from different countries and eras, and from as many branches of biological investigation as possible. In addition to biographical information and an evaluation of the woman's career and significance, each entry provides a full bibliographic listing of works by and about the subject.

Botany Resources:

Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms: QK 10.H53 2000
Contains over 2400 terms commonly used to describe vascular plants. Each term is defined accurately and concisely and cross referenced to clearly labelled line drawings.
Encyclopedia of North American Trees: QK 110.B46 2000
The Encyclopedia of North American Trees is a rigorously researched, full-color guide on trees native to North America. Provides descriptions of 278 species, listed by their botanical names from A to Z, outlines each tree's growing habits, most salient identifying characteristics, and environmental and human values.
Illustrated Dictionary of Mycology: QK 600.35.U4513 2000
Provides definitions to 2,000 terms commonly used in the instruction and investigation of fungi. Each term is accompanied by a definition, the etymology of the term, an example of fungi to which the term is applied and related figures.
Lichens of North America: QK 586.5 B76 2001
Covers 1500 common, conspicuous or otherwise important lichens from the arctic to the Mexican border. Contains colour photos, keys, common and scientific names and descriptions of each species. Also includes general information about lichens such as reproduction, role in ecosystems, geographic distribution, chemistry, physiology, and importance to humans.
Weeds of Nebraska and the Great Plains: SB 612.N2 S78 1995
Provides brief, botanical descriptions of each plant plus colour photos and line drawings emphasizing identifying characteristics. Descriptions include family, common and scientific names, growth form, life span, origin, flowering dates, reproduction, plant characteristics, habitat, uses and values, poisonings and losses, and historical information.
Wildflowers of the United States: QK 115.R5
Identification guide to the wildflowers of the United States, arranged by geographic region. Photographs and illustrations.

Ornithology References:

Birds in Kansas: QL 684.K2 T47 1989
Guide to the 424 bird species in Kansas. Arranged taxonomically. Information includes distribution, occurrence, breeding, food, habitat and status plus a brief description of the species and a black and white photograph.
Birds of North America: QL 681.B625
Presents life histories of the bird species found in North America. Extensive information is given on each species including descriptive information, distribution, systematics, migration, habitat, food habits, sounds, behaviour, breeding, demography, and conservation and management. Photographs, charts and maps plus an extensive list of references are included.
Handbook of the Birds of the World: QL 673.H25 1992
Covers the birds of the world by family. Basic information is provided for each family and is accompanied by colour photographs, . Information for each individual species includes food, habitat, breeding, status and conservation information as well as a distribution map, colour illustration, and bibliography.
Sibley Guide to Birds: QL 681.S497 2000
Identification guide to the birds of North America. Contains a glossary and illustrated explanations of bird topography. Each species blurb includes a distribution map, colour illustrations showing plumage variations and birds in flight and at rest, and descriptive information such as size, weight and distinguishing characteristcs.
Threatened Birds of the World: QL 676.7.T45 2000
Provides detailed species accounts of the 1,186 globally threatened bird species. Each account includes distribution, a colour illustration, biological information, ecology, threats, conservation efforts, status, conservation targets and references. Also provides basic information on the extinction crisis.

Zoology References :

QL 653.K3 C64 1993
Identification guide. Covers description, size, range, habits and habitat, breeding and food. Indicates which species are venomous.
Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes: QL 625.A84
Provides distributional and biological information on the freshwater fish of the United States and Canada. Information on each species includes order and family, common and scientific names, distribution maps, systematics, illustrations, descriptions and biology.
Beacham's Guide to International Endangered Species: QL 82.B435 1998
Provides data and photos of al species listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each entry includes the common and scientific names, description, behaviour, habitat, distribution, threats, conservation and recovery. Colour photos.
Encyclopedia of Endangered Species: QH 75.E49 1994
Describes over 700 animals and plants worldwide that are currently threatened with extinction. Information given includes common and scientific names, description and biology, habitat and current distribution and history and conservation measures. Some black and white photos.
Encyclopedia of Fishes: QL 614.7.E52 1995
Provides basic background information on fish, their classification, evolution, behaviour and habitat. Describes fish based on class or order and provides colour illustrations and distribution maps.
Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America: QL 651.C65 1998
Identification guide. Alsso provides some background information on how to care for and handle these animals. Colour photographs, illustrations and maps.
Fishes in Kansas: QL628.K3 C69 1995
Describes and illustrates 135 native and introduced fishes found in Kansas. Information includes appearance, size, habitat, reproduction, food, and unusual or interesting traits and behaviours. Includes identification keys, maps, common and scientific names and colour drawings and photographs.
Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia: QL 7.G815
Provides solid coverage of each animal group discussing life cycles, food systems, natural predators, overall ecology plus threats to their habitats. Written in concise, understandable language. Colour photographs, maps and illustrations.
Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals: QL 701.G7913 1990
Guide to the mammal species of the world. Species arranged phlogenetically. General information is provided for each group and then each species is discussed in detail. Broad overview of mammals is also provided. Fully illustrated with colour photographs, maps and charts.
The Invertebrates : An Illustrated Glossary: QL 362.S82 1992
Presents full descriptions of the major anatomical features of different invertebrate groups as well as definitions of the terms used to describe significant variations of these features. It covers 77 living invertebrate taxa, most on a phylum or class level. Useful for identifying or describing particular species.
Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals: QL 715.S55 1999
Guide to the mammals occurring in North America north of Mexico. Arranged phylogenetically. Each species account contains common and scientific names, description, behaviour, diet, habitat preferences, reproduction, growth and development, longevity, predation, status, distribution and colour photographs.