This guide aims to outline the starting points for finding biological reference information within Glasgow University Library. It is not intended to be a definitive, or comprehensive list of reference sources, but to give some starting points. This has many directories, dictionaries and other reference works. You should also consult the relevant Web subject pages.
Dictionaries are very good sources of short definitions of terminology.
If a bit more detail is required then an Encyclopaedia may be better, as it will contain a fuller description. Failing this, a general textbook will often have relevant information. Grzimek's animal life encyclopaedia. Penguin dictionary of biology. Stedman's medical dictionary.