Genetics

(www.biologyreference.com)

Hyperlinks in purple are my lecture notes (MS Word) and slides (ppt) used in class.

Hyperlinks in green are handouts from class or assignments, usually in Word or Excel.

Hyperlinks in blue are to external websites.

Syllabus

Why do I need Genetics?  Read these web articles:

Using DNA to Stop Elephant Poachers

Capturing a Grizzly? In the Age of DNA, a Few Hairs May Do

San Diego Zoo Conservation & Research for Endangered Species Genetics Program

DNA Test Set for Fish Caught in Potomac (Snakeheads)

Lecture Notes

1.  History & Use of Genetics

    Timeline

    Review Table of DNA Terms

    Example uses of genetics

Unit 1:  How are "traits" passed on?

2.  Cell Cycles                                                    Problem Set 1

    Cell Cycles Slides                                                           **Due 4 Feb for MW class**

    Mitosis Animation for Review                                        **Due 5 Feb for TR class**

    Meiosis Animation for Review

3.  Basic Mendelian Inheritance

    Mendelian Inheritance Slides

    Chi-Square Probabilities Table

4.  Extensions of Mendelian Genetics

    Extensions Slides

5.  Sex Determination & Linkage                        Problem Set 2

    Sex Chromosomes Slides                                        **Due 18 Feb for MW class**

6.  Gene Mapping                                        **Due 19 Feb for TR class**

    Gene Mapping Slides

7.  Non-Mendelian Inheritance

    Non-Mendelian Slides

Exam 1

Unit 2:  How does a gene result in a "trait"?

8. DNA Structure                                                        Problem Set 3   

    DNA Structure Slides                                            **Due 31 March for MW class**

9. DNA Replication                                    **Due 27 March for TR class**

    Replication Slides

    DNA Replication Animation                                            Stem Cell Activity

10. Gene Expression (a.k.a. Protein Synthesis)

    Expression Slides

    Transcription Animation

    Translation Animation

    Amino Acid Chart

    Protein Synthesis Practice Sheet                                        Problem Set 4

11.  Gene Regulation (a.k.a. Why don't my skin cells make digestive enzymes?)

    Regulation Slides

    Gene Regulation Scenarios Practice

    Go to CAMS to find a paper on how gene regulation is involved in stem cell differentiation.

12.  Mutations

    Mutation Slides

    Go to CAMS to find a paper on how SINES are being used to examine African mammal relationships.

Exam 2

Unit 3:  How is genetics used to study organisms & populations?

13. Biotechnology & Ethics                                        Problem Set 5

    Biotech Slides                                                                  Semi-Log Graph Paper

    DNA Microarray Methodology Animation

    Go to CAMS to find 2 papers on Microarrays, 1 on Gene Therapy, and 4 on Genetic Engineering and environmental uses.

14. Population Genetics

    Population Genetics Slides

    Population Genetics Scenarios Practice

    PopCycle Worksheet

    PopCycle Program

    Go to CAMS to find 10 papers on how genetics is being used for population studies in different species and in answering a broad range of questions.

15.  Evolutionary Genetics

    Evolutionary Genetics Slides

    Go to CAMS to find 1 paper on extinction genetics and 4 papers dealing with phylogenetic trees at different taxonomic levels.

16.  Quantitative Genetics

    Quantitative Genetics Slides

    Go to CAMS to find 2 papers on heritability and its use in agricultural sciences.

Thou shalt not commit a genetic experiment
from: Metro.co.uk

The Roman Catholic church updated its list of mortal sins yesterday to include 21st century issues such as pollution and genetic experimentation.

The new list was announced after a week-long confession refresher course for priests. Traditionally, mortal sins are those which break the Ten Commandments and include murder and adultery.

According to the Catholic faith, they must be confessed to a priest and if not absolved or forgiven, will lead to a person's soul being condemned to hell.

But now genetic experimentation, tampering with the order of nature, pollution, social injustice, causing poverty, excessive wealth and drug abuse have been added.

Bishop Gianfranco Girotti is in charge of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican department which runs the confession refresher course.

He said: 'Today there are various new sins which concern the rights of the individual and society and above all these are in the field of bioethics.

'Within this, there are several fundamental violations of nature taking place – experiments, genetic manipulation, which are very difficult to control.

'Socially there is the field of drugs which weaken both intelligence and physically, leaving many youngsters outside the church circuit.

'Then elsewhere socially, we have inequality of wealth with the poor getting poorer and the rich getting richer, this in turns feeds an ever growing social injustice,' he added.