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HELM Open Biology Collection

This collection brings together a set of interactive Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) that introduce and explain core biological concepts underpinning human health, disease, and pharmacology. Designed to support learners across healthcare, bioscience, and related disciplines, these resources provide clear and engaging explanations of key physiological structures and processes.

The collection covers foundational topics such as osmosis, diffusion, and the movement of fluids across capillary walls, alongside more specialised areas including kidney and liver anatomy and physiology. Learners can explore how these organs regulate filtration, metabolism, homeostasis, and the excretion of drugs, essential knowledge for understanding clinical practice and pharmacological principles.

Additional resources introduce the structure of bacteria and viruses, enabling learners to compare microbial components and deepen their understanding of infection control. Drug-receptor interactions and the physiological forces that influence filtration and fluid balance further reinforce the links between biology, pathology, and treatment mechanisms.

Together, these RLOs offer an accessible pathway into essential biological knowledge, supporting learners to build a solid scientific foundation for further study in health, medicine, and bioscience.

Bacteria and viruses compared

Introduces and compares the structural components associated with bacteria and viruses by allowing users to build their own.

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Drug-receptor interaction

Introduction to the interaction of cell receptors with drugs. This resource was first released in June 2004. It has been re-purposed by the Helm team in 2016.

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Glomerular Filtration Pressure

The RLO deals with the opposing forces within the glomerulus and the Bowmans capsule which together create the glomerular filtration pressure. The RLO builds on the Starlings Forces RLO by the same author and is intended to form the basis for a future RLO on glomerular filtration rate. This RLO was developed jointly with De Montfort University.

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Kidney Physiology

Introduction to the physiology of the kidney, examining the processes by which the kidneys filter blood, control body pH and eliminate the waste products of metabolism from the body.

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Liver Anatomy

Introduction to the external and internal anatomy of the liver.

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Liver Physiology

Introduction to the physiology of the liver, examining its role in filtering blood, metabolism, nutrient extraction and homeostasis.

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Osmosis and Diffusion

Explaining the difference between the processes of diffusion and osmosis, and introducing the concepts of concentration gradients and tonicity.

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Starling's Forces

An examination of the roles of hydrostatic and oncotic pressure in movement of fluid and gases across the capillary wall.

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The Kidneys and Drug Excretion

The role of the kidneys in the excretion of drugs.

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The Liver and drug metabolism

The role of the liver in the metabolism of drugs.

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