Standard Level · biology-sl · Interactive simulations
IB Biology SL Simulation Lab
15 unique simulations15 lessons2 sources
Every simulation here runs the real model — the applets a teacher would put on the board, from PhET and GeoGebra, not a video of one. Pick a topic, open a card inside its lesson to run it next to the notes, or jump straight to the source. A simulation that fits several lessons is listed under each of them (23 cards in all). Back to the IB Biology SL course →
A · Unity and diversity
A1.1Water
3 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Molecule Polarity
On Three Atoms, make the middle atom the most electronegative, then bend the molecule: the bond dipoles no longer cancel.
- PhETIB A1.1
States of Matter
Choose water, switch between solid, liquid and gas, and heat or cool the container while you watch the molecules.
- PhETIB A1.1
Sugar and Salt Solutions
Drop salt or sugar into water at the molecular scale and watch the water molecules surround the particles.
A4.1Evolution and speciation
1 sim- PhETIn the lesson
Natural Selection
Add a mate and a fur mutation, then switch on wolves: the better-camouflaged colour spreads through the population.
B · Form and function
B2.1Membranes and membrane transport
2 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Membrane Transport
Add solutes on one side and open a channel: passive transport runs down the concentration gradient; a pump moves solute against it and needs ATP.
- PhETIB B2.1
Diffusion
Two gases held apart by a divider: set particle number, mass, size and temperature, then remove the divider.
B2.3Cell specialization
1 sim- PhETIB B2.3
Gene Expression Essentials
Many cells carrying the same gene: change the level of transcription factor and watch how much protein the cells make.
B3.1Gas exchange
1 sim- PhETIn the lesson
Diffusion
Put more particles on one side and remove the divider: net movement is down the concentration gradient, and faster when the gradient is steeper.
B3.2Transport
1 sim- GeoGebraIB B3.2
Label the heart
A diagram of the heart to label, with a check on your answers.
C · Interaction and interdependence
C1.1Enzymes and metabolism
1 sim- GeoGebraIB C1.1
Reaction profile with a catalyst
An energy profile for a simple reaction (H₂ + I₂) with a Catalyst button that switches the catalysed route on and off.
C2.1Chemical signalling
1 sim- PhETIB C2.1
Membrane Transport
Insert ligand-gated channels into a cell membrane and release ligands to see when the channels open.
C2.2Neural signalling
2 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Neuron
Stimulate the neuron and watch the potential chart: sodium gates open first, potassium gates follow, and the spike is all-or-nothing.
- PhETIB C2.2
Membrane Transport
Insert a sodium-potassium pump, voltage-gated channels and ligand-gated channels into a membrane and control when ions cross.
C4.1Populations and communities
3 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Natural Selection
Add a mate and let the rabbits breed: numbers climb exponentially until you add wolves or limit the food, then the population levels off.
- GeoGebraIB C4.1
Logistic population growth
The logistic growth curve: set the carrying capacity a, the net birth rate k and the starting population p0.
- GeoGebraIB C4.1
Rabbits and foxes: predator-prey
A discrete Lotka-Volterra model of a rabbit and a fox population whose parameters you can change.
D · Continuity and change
D1.2Protein synthesis
1 sim- PhETIn the lesson
Gene Expression Essentials
Drag RNA polymerase onto the gene to transcribe mRNA, then add a ribosome to translate it; an mRNA destroyer ends the message.
D2.2Gene expression
2 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Gene Expression Essentials
On the mRNA screen, raise the positive transcription factor's concentration or affinity and watch transcription speed up.
- PhETIB D2.2
Gene Machine: The Lac Operon
Build the lac operon on a strand of bacterial DNA, then inject lactose and watch the gene switch on.
D3.2Inheritance
1 sim- PhETIB D3.2
Natural Selection
Choose whether a fur-colour mutation is dominant or recessive, breed the rabbits and read genotypes from the pedigree.
D4.1Natural selection
1 sim- PhETIn the lesson
Natural Selection
Add the brown-fur mutation, then wolves: white rabbits survive in the arctic, brown ones at the equator, and the proportions shift each generation.
D4.3Climate change
2 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Greenhouse Effect
Start the sunlight, then raise the greenhouse gas concentration: more infrared is absorbed and re-emitted and the surface warms.
- PhETIB D4.3
Molecules and Light
Fire microwave, infrared, visible or ultraviolet photons at single molecules such as CO2, H2O, N2 and O2.
Each simulation stays the property of its source and is credited on the card inside the lesson. Back to the IB Biology SL course →