Biology Simulations Blog

The Biology Simulations blog introduces the simulations used on the site, discusses new simulations that are in the works, and shares information about simulation and inquiry based learning.

Crossing Over in Sordaria

The map units are determined by dividing the % of asci showing crossing over by 2.

Jolene Pappas

Oct 14, 20242 min read

Carbon 'n Stuff: a chemistry of life identification game

There are four sections to the Carbon 'n Stuff game; inorganic compounds, functional groups, monomers, and macromolecules.

Jolene Pappas

Aug 13, 20232 min read

Teacher Guide to Biology Simulations by course

This teacher guide will break down which simulations and games are aimed at various courses.

Jolene Pappas

Aug 12, 20235 min read

How to use the soil texture triangle

Learn how to use the soil textural triangle to identify soil texture type.

Jolene Pappas

Oct 23, 20223 min read

Dissection Resources

Dissections are often an important component of high school biology and anatomy courses.

Jolene Pappas

May 31, 20222 min read

Cat Dissection Images

Labeled cat dissection images.

Jolene Pappas

May 31, 20221 min read

What is genetic drift?

Genetic drift is non-selective, which sets it apart from natural selection and sexual selection.

Jolene Pappas

Apr 5, 20213 min read

How to make basic graphs on Google Sheets

Graphs are important parts of labs. In most of the labs I run in my classes, whether hands-on or simulated, students will at some point make

Jolene Pappas

Aug 14, 20202 min read

Diversity and species richness virtual labs

Biology Simulations offers two simulations that can be used for virtual labs that practice calculating diversity or richness.

Jolene Pappas

May 13, 20202 min read

Making Google docs for paperless submissions: How to add a text entry box

Here's a brief overview of how to use tables to create a text entry box in Google docs.

Jolene Pappas

May 6, 20202 min read

How to use chi-square to test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

This post demonstrates the use of chi-squared to test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Jolene Pappas

Mar 11, 20204 min read

How to calculate Simpson's Diversity Index (AP Biology)

Simpson's Diversity Index (SDI) is one approach to quantifying biodiversity.

Jolene Pappas

Feb 28, 20203 min read

Social Media

To help people stay informed about new simulations, resources, and various updates, Biology Simulations now has two social media accounts.

Jolene Pappas

Feb 26, 20201 min read

Connecting simulations to real-world examples

Real systems often have variables that, even if understood, cannot be fully controlled for.

Jolene Pappas

Nov 16, 20192 min read

Teacher Guide (with standards) to Biology Simulations

This will describe the primary target audiences for each simulation, discuss possible uses, and link the simulations to standards.

Jolene Pappas

Nov 3, 20198 min read

Independent assortment, linked genes, and recombination

Alleles of genes close to each other on the same chromosome don't have an equal chance of being sorted into different gametes.

Jolene Pappas

Apr 9, 20195 min read

Heredity III: Incomplete Dominance and Epistasis

The Heredity III virtual lab tests one trait...with five possible phenotypes. This has a little more going on than the Heredity I and...

Jolene Pappas

Mar 4, 20191 min read

How to use chi-square to test an inheritance pattern

Would you rather watch a video than read? Here is a video version of this post: Many biology classes use the chi-squared statistical...

Jolene Pappas

Feb 22, 20195 min read

How to test for evolution using the null hypothesis

Would you rather watch a video than read? Here is a video version of this post: This post demonstrates how to test for evolution using...

Jolene Pappas

Feb 13, 20195 min read