Science Notes
CSI Online Activity: Click on CSI the experience
Forensics Analysis: Blood stain analysis, ballistics, Misc.
Vocabulary
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Alleles - Different forms of the same gene.
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Base - One of the four different chemical units which comprise DNA. The sequence of DNA bases codes for the amino acid sequence of proteins. These four bases are: adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, in DNA and RNA, uracil substitutes for thymine.
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Biotechnology - The development of a product or products using biological agents.
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Chromosomes - Tiny thread-like structures inside each cell. Chromosomes carry the genes.
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Co-dominance - A circumstance where the two alleles (or genes) for a specific trait are equally strong: a mixture of the two phenotypes results: An example is pink snapdragons develop from a red and white cross.
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Crossing Over - The process in which genes are exchanged between two chromosomes.
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DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) - The substance within the chromosomes that carries the hereditary instructions for producing proteins and RNA's.
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Dominant - A gene or allele that is expressed or "shown" in the phenotype. Dominant genes mask or "hide" recessive genes.
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Genes - Tiny biochemical structures inside each cell that determine particular hereditary traits, such as eye color and blood type. Each gene is a segment of DNA that carries instructions for producing the chainlike molecules that make up proteins.
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Gene expression - The process by which a cell makes a protein from RNA according to the instructions carried by a gene.
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Genetic variation - Refers to the differences in inherited traits that exist among the members of a species.
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Genetics - The scientific study of heredity.
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Genome - A set of all the genes a species has on its chromosomes. The human genome consists of 50,000 to 100,000 genes.
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Genotype - The underlying genetic makeup of a trait or the overall genetic makeup of an individual. It is the two genes an individual carries for a trait.
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Heredity - The passing of genetic traits from parent to offspring.
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Heterozygous - Two different alleles for the same trait.
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Homozygous - Only one allele is present for a particular trait. Both genes are identical.
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Hybrid - An organism that has heterozygous alleles (or genes) for one or more traits.
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Meiosis - Reproduction in sex cells where the daughter cells produced have half the number of parent chromosomes.
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Mendel, Gregor - So-called "father of modern genetics". Austrian monk who discovered how genetic "factors" were passed down.
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Mitosis - Reproduction of non-sex cells where the daughter cells produced have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cells.
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Mutation - A change in a gene. It may produce a new trait that can be inherited.
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Phenotype - The observable appearance of a trait or the overall appearance of an individual.
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Protein - Chemical building blocks in the body made of smaller units called amino acids. Proteins exist in every cell.
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Recessive - An allele or gene that is not expressed or "shown" in the phenotype because it is "hidden" by the dominant gene.
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RNA (ribonucleic acid) - Similar to DNA, it plays a key role in the production of proteins.
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Trait - A physical characteristic, such as hair color
Videos
"What are Genes?"
"What are SNPs?"
"Where do Your Genes Come From?"
"What is a Phenotype?"
Mitosis and Meiosis
Who's Your Daddy Activity (Punnett Squares)
Amy Couch's Presentation on DNA forensics