Genetics (11/14-11/18)

http://www.interactive-biology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Genetics.jpg


Summary:

This week we were learning about genetics. Genetics is the study of inherited characteristics and heredity. 

Link

DNA

DNA holds the instructions needed for a living organism to grow and live. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. The DNA alphabet is ACGT. (Guanine, Cytosine, Adenine and Thymine.) The special rules by which these alphabet pieces bond together are that A only goes with T, and C only goes with G.

Genes

Genes are the basic units of inheritance. They are the instruction manuals for the body. The directions for building proteins to function. Genes are made of chunks of DNA. Humans have 25,000 genes. Proteins contain these instructions for building. Genes tell the body three important things:
  1. How long the protein should be.
  2. How much protein to make.
  3. Exactly when to make it.

Chromosomes

A chromosome is a package for DNA. In other words, chromosomes are long strands of DNA wrapped around proteins called histones. Chromosomes contain many genes, along with long strands of DNA whose purpose is not yet discovered. A human cell holds 46 chromosomes. 23 chromosomes from each parent. Chromosomes are labeled like this: boys have X Y chromosomes and girls have X X chromosomes. 

Proteins

Proteins are the body's basic building blocks. Ribosomes are responsible for making these proteins. Genes provide the "blueprint" for making a protein. One cell contains thousands of proteins. Since proteins are too small to see, scientists use computer programs to model proteins structure and function.

Heredity

Heredity is the passing of traits from parent to child. Children may look similar to their parents because of these traits, but they will not look exactly identical to one parent because there are 23 chromosomes (one complete set) from each parent. Every child has a complete set of 42 chromosomes, but these chromosomes are not always the same, and in the same order.

Traits

A trait is a notable feature or quality in a person. Every person has a different combination of traits that makes us unique. An allele is the set of genetic information that codes for different variations of the same trait. One trait is passed from each parent. For example, if you get a H from your mom, and an h from your dad, then you have heterozygous traits. These traits are randomly chosen.

Homozygous - Having two of the same alleles for a trait.

Heterozygous - Having two different alleles for each trait.

There are three different types of traits:
  1. Physical traits (eye color, hair color, height)
  2. Behavioral traits (the way you act or behave)
  3. Predisposition to a medical condition (risk to a medical need or problem.)

SP2: Developing and using models

This week we started making our model of how each vocabulary word (traits, heredity, proteins, chromosomes, genes, DNA, and more) connects to each other and what each thing does. This model helps us to visualize what each vocabulary word does and how each connects to genetics.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Musical Instruments and Sound- Weekly Blog (3/11-3/15)

Image
Sound Energy - Musical Instruments by SolPass Summary We understand how sound is produced, and how sound waves can travel through different mediums, but how do musical instruments produce sound? There are hundreds of instruments in the world, producing various pitches, tones, and chords. There are three main types of instruments: wind, percussion, and string. The sound is produced differently based on the type of instrument. The first type of instrument is a string instrument. In a string instrument, the sound is created from the vibration of strings. For example, when you play guitar, you pull on the strings. As the strings vibrate, the air molecules start vibrating as well, producing sound. The next type of instruments are wind and brass instruments and are made when we blow sound into them. The shape and position of the instrument affect the overall tone and pitch. The most common kind of wind instrument is a reed instrument. Blowing on the reed causes it to vibrate, mak
Read more

The Food Chain (10/26-10/30)

Image
This is an example of a land food chain http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/foodchain/foodchain2.htm Summary: This week in class we started to learn about the food chain. We watched a video about the food chain, and then we had to answer a few questions. First you need to know that food chains always start with plants and end with animals. But remember, humans are animals. Humans are usually at the top of the food chain. But that does not means that they are always at the top, what if a lion ate the human! Then the lion would be at the top of the food chain. There are different types of food chains. If you want to see a full list then go to this website: http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-food-chains.html . In the video they talked about the ocean food chain. The ocean food chain is a food chain that happens in the ocean. Here is an example of an ocean food chain: phytoplankton (tiny little plants), get eaten by zooplankton (tiny animals
Read more

African Forest Elephants (2/5-2/9)

Image
https://c402277.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/photos/1019/images/story_full_width/Forest_Elephant_7.30.2012_hero_and_circle_HI_8480.jpg?1345583833 Summary: The African forest elephant is an herbivore, and commonly eats leaves, fruit, and bark. African forest elephants range from 2.5 - 3 meters in height, weighing from 50-200 pounds. Their color is usually brown and grey, and even though other coloring is possible, it is very rare. They live for about 60-70 years, which is quite a lot compared to some other forest animals. The African Forest Elephant lives in Central and Southern Africa, traveling through the forests and grasslands searching for food and water.  Why Endangered: The populations of these Forest Elephants is decreasing because of illegal poaching. The poachers kill the elephants for their ivory tusks to sell. They are also decreasing because of habitat destruction such as deforestation, which results in less food and shelter, which they need to survive. According to defen
Read more