The Human Body on the Web

Select a topic to see a selection of what's out there.

Genetics is the study of inherited characteristics.	Immunology studies how the body defends itself against disease.	AIDS is an immune disease that affects millions of people around the world.	Cancer is a disease caused by out-of-control cell growth.	Anatomy studies the parts of the body.	Other Human Body sites that are cool.

A friendly word of warning: The Internet's World Wide Web is produced by millions of people with few restrictions. You'll discover wonderful things. But you may also see material that offends you. So...if you enter the Internet through this exhibit, the Ontario Science Centre is not responsible for what you find.

Internet Etiquette

• No obscene language or illegal activities.
• Assume all information on the network is private property.

Genetics

“DNA from the beginning”, presented by the DNA Learning Center, is an animated primer on the basics of DNA, genes and heredity.

Genetic Science Learning Center, part of the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, University of Utah, provides information on genetic disorders, gene therapy, and cloning. Take an animated tour of DNA and genes, build a DNA molecule, transcribe and translate genes.

The Genetics Education Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center, is an up-to-date resource for teachers and others interested in learning about genetics.

Vist online genetics exhibits:

• Human Genetics and Medical Research
• Diving into the Gene Pool
• The Human Genome

Other genetics exhibits can be found at the Genetics Education Center.

Immunology

The Microbe Zoo shows you just what kinds of microorganisms are out there.

Thinking of traveling? Check out the guidelines for vaccinations and current information on international disease outbreaks at the Travel Medicine Program, Health Canada.

Keep up to date on news of disease outbreaks with the Canada Communicable Disease Report, the Centers for Disease Control’s Emerging Infectious Diseases and the World Health Organization’s Weekly Epidemiological Record.

See how lymphocytes produce antibodies and other immunology-related animations at the Cells Alive! site.

The University of Arizona makes available problem sets and tutorials on the basics of the immune system, antibody structure and more.

Immunology animations including immune response, lymphocyte development, antigen recognition and HIV infection can be found on this companion site to the university textbook, Immunobiology: the immune system in health and disease, 5th ed. by Janeway et al.

AIDS

AIDS.org provides comprehensive information about AIDS including fact sheets, treatment news, a link to AIDS Book Review Journal and online streaming video webcasts.

For the latest information on treatments, clinical studies and statistics, check out the American Foundation for AIDS Research web site.

AEGIS: AIDS Education Global Information System is a good source of HIV/AIDS information from around the world, updated hourly; also includes publications from AIDS groups and conference abstracts.

Want to know more about how not to get HIV and AIDS? Visit the University of California’s Center for AIDS Prevention Studies for prevention tool kit and fact sheets.

Cancer

For general information on cancer, try the Canadian Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute or the American Cancer Society.

Oncolink from the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center is an excellent reference site.

The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center provides public education on mesothelioma, lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia and many other asbestos-related cancers, including the latest treatment and prevention information.

For information on specific cancers:

• Prostate Cancer
• Skin Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Breast Cancer

Anatomy

The Visible Human Project shows sections of the entire human body.

Atlas of the Body from the American Medical Association provides drawings of various parts of the human body.

The Virtual Body offers a narrated multimedia tour of the human brain, skeleton, heart and digestive tract.

Human Anatomy Online features animations of different body systems; click on body parts for more detailed information.

See detailed papier-mache anatomical models from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Other Human Body Sites

Find nutrition information from Health Canada and the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Information Center.

The Canadian Health Network provides access to multiple sources of credible and practical health information.

For detailed medical information ranging from genetics to diseases, check the online version of the Merck Manual, home edition.

“Life’s Greatest Miracle” is the companion web site to the PBS program, where you can view the program online, read a pregnancy journal, learn about diagnostic techniques and follow links to other resources and a teacher’s guide.

For an extensive list of links to topics related to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care, try the Pregnancy section of the New York Online Access to Health (NOAH) web site.

“The Reproductive System” provides an illustrated overview.