Genetics & Evolution
- Genetic Variation & Skin Cancer
- DNA Gene Mutations & Evolution
- Genetics Chromosome Terminology
- Stems Cells & Cord Blood Banking
- Evolution & Charles Darwin
- DNA Fingerprinting & Paternity
- Nucleic Acids and Nucleotides
- Chromosome Number Terminology
- Cell Division: Mitosis & Meiosis
- The Evolution of Whales
Genetic Variation & Skin Cancer
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
As summer quickly approaches, we now have new research to help us protect ourselves from the dangers of skin cancer.
Three new studies just published in the May 2008 issue of the journal Nature Genetics may provide us with information that could ultimately lead to genetic screening that will help us assess our risk of skin cancer.
Even without genetic screening most of us know that that people with fair complexions are more prone to sunburn than those with darker complexions. New research now links certain variations in the genes that control the color of our skin, hair and eyes with an increased risk of melanoma and carcinoma, two potentially deadly forms of skin cancer.
See the new Suite101 article ‘Genetics of Pigment & Skin Cancer’ to read a summary of these new research findings or go to the source, Nature Genetics to find the studies themselves.
Even without genetic screening most of us know that that people with fair complexions are more prone to sunburn than those with darker complexions. New research now links certain variations in the genes that control the color of our skin, hair and eyes with an increased risk of melanoma and carcinoma, two potentially deadly forms of skin cancer.
See the new Suite101 article ‘Genetics of Pigment & Skin Cancer’ to read a summary of these new research findings or go to the source, Nature Genetics to find the studies themselves.
DNA Gene Mutations & Evolution
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
What is a mutation? Are changes to the genetic code always bad? What’s the connection between mutation and evolution? This article series provides some of the answers.
Here’s a new collection of Suite101 articles that explain what mutations are and how these changes to the DNA code impact the evolution of life.
What Is a Genetic DNA Mutation?
A mutation is a rare change in a gene's DNA sequence that can result in a defective cellular protein. This article covers the basics of genetic mutation.
Hereditary & Somatic DNA Mutations
There are two main categories of genetic mutation based on the type of cell they occur in. Changes to a person's DNA can be inherited or acquired after fertilization.
DNA Mutations & Evolution
A mutation is an alteration of a gene's DNA sequence. Mutations are usually bad news, but those rare changes that benefit an organism are the raw material of evolution.
Small-scale Genetic Mutations
This article describes types if small mutations involving a change in one, or just a few nucleotides; covers point mutations, insertions, deletions and frameshift mutations.
What Is a Genetic DNA Mutation?
A mutation is a rare change in a gene's DNA sequence that can result in a defective cellular protein. This article covers the basics of genetic mutation.
Hereditary & Somatic DNA Mutations
There are two main categories of genetic mutation based on the type of cell they occur in. Changes to a person's DNA can be inherited or acquired after fertilization.
DNA Mutations & Evolution
A mutation is an alteration of a gene's DNA sequence. Mutations are usually bad news, but those rare changes that benefit an organism are the raw material of evolution.
Small-scale Genetic Mutations
This article describes types if small mutations involving a change in one, or just a few nucleotides; covers point mutations, insertions, deletions and frameshift mutations.
Genetics Chromosome Terminology
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
What do you call a duplicated chromosome? This isn't another bad science joke, but one of the many questions that relate to the jumble of genetic chromosome terms.
There is great deal of potentially confusing terminology associated with chromosomes and their number. For example, duplicated chromosomes are called 'sister chromatids' as long as they are attached, but as soon as they separate, they become 'daughter chromosomes.' And a pair of copied or replicated chromosomes are not the same as a pair of homologous chromosomes. The following articles will help you brush up on DNA lingo and detangle these and other genetic technical terms.
Articles on Chromosomes & Their Number
Ploidy - Diplod and Haploid: Chromosome Number of Somatic and Sex Cells
DNA - Duplicated and Homologues: Difference between Homologous and Replicated Chromosomes
Chromosomes & Sister Chromatids: Terms Used to Describe DNA during Cell Division
Articles on Chromosomes & Their Number
Ploidy - Diplod and Haploid: Chromosome Number of Somatic and Sex Cells
DNA - Duplicated and Homologues: Difference between Homologous and Replicated Chromosomes
Chromosomes & Sister Chromatids: Terms Used to Describe DNA during Cell Division
Stems Cells & Cord Blood Banking
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
Suite101’s Genetics and Evolution now has a collection of articles on types of stem cells and the collection and storage of cord blood in public and private banks.
Stem Cells
Hematopoietic adult stem cells have been used in transplants for decades. There is ongoing controversy surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells. However stem cells can also be easily collected and stored from umbilical cord blood.
Stem Cell Banks
Cord blood banking is not cheap. Who should be saving their child’s umbilical cord blood? When does the likelihood of need justify the initial expense of collection and ongoing cost of storage? Are cord blood banks largely preying on the fears parents have about the potential for future health issues of their children?
See the following article to explore these questions and learn more about stem cell storage:
Hematopoietic adult stem cells have been used in transplants for decades. There is ongoing controversy surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells. However stem cells can also be easily collected and stored from umbilical cord blood.
Stem Cell Banks
Cord blood banking is not cheap. Who should be saving their child’s umbilical cord blood? When does the likelihood of need justify the initial expense of collection and ongoing cost of storage? Are cord blood banks largely preying on the fears parents have about the potential for future health issues of their children?
See the following article to explore these questions and learn more about stem cell storage:
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
Genetics & Evolution now has a collection of new and recent articles exploring the theory of evolution and Charles Darwin' discovery of natural selection.
Genetics & Evolution now has a collection of new and recent articles exploring the theory of evolution and Charles Darwin' discovery of natural selection.
People typically associate the name Charles Darwin with the concept of evolution, but Darwin was certainly not the first to understand that populations of organisms change over time. His groundbreaking contribution came in discovering how evolution occurred, its mechanisms of action – natural selection.
The link Darwin, Evolution and Natural Selection will take you to a collection of articles on the history of evolutionary thinking, what lead Darwin to his pivotal discovery as well as explain how natural selection works as a shaper of traits.
People typically associate the name Charles Darwin with the concept of evolution, but Darwin was certainly not the first to understand that populations of organisms change over time. His groundbreaking contribution came in discovering how evolution occurred, its mechanisms of action – natural selection.
The link Darwin, Evolution and Natural Selection will take you to a collection of articles on the history of evolutionary thinking, what lead Darwin to his pivotal discovery as well as explain how natural selection works as a shaper of traits.
DNA Fingerprinting & Paternity
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
Three new articles have been added relating to genetic tests of heredity and relatedness.
Blood tests were used in the past, but blood type (A, B, AB & O) can only eliminate a man from consideration as the possible biological father of a child. The genetic techology of DNA fingerprinting now enables us to easily, specifically and reliably look at the relatedness of individals.
See the following new Genetics & Evolution articles for more information on paternity testing and DNA fingerprinting:
1. DNA Fingerprinting Paternity Test
2. DNA Paternity Testing - RFLPs
3. Genetics & DNA Paternity Testing
See the following new Genetics & Evolution articles for more information on paternity testing and DNA fingerprinting:
1. DNA Fingerprinting Paternity Test
2. DNA Paternity Testing - RFLPs
3. Genetics & DNA Paternity Testing
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
There is a new Suite101 Genetics article series available on nucleic acids and their nucleotide building blocks.
Nucleotides are important and versatile organic molecules of living organisms. Depending on the specific type, they can:
The latest piece in this Nucleic Acid Article Series provides a summary of, and link to, each of the specific articles, which range from explaining gene recognition to defining ATP, RNA and DNA. Take a look and beef up on your molecular genetics!
- transport energy within our cells (ATP)
- be built into polymers that function as the cell’s genetic blueprint (DNA)
- function as the “go between” for DNA, transcribing and translating the genetic code to build proteins
The latest piece in this Nucleic Acid Article Series provides a summary of, and link to, each of the specific articles, which range from explaining gene recognition to defining ATP, RNA and DNA. Take a look and beef up on your molecular genetics!
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
There is a jumble of potentially confusing genetic terminology relating to chromosome number. Three new articles have recently been added to Suite101 to clarify.
It is easy to become confused when it comes to the terminology associated with chromosomes and chromosome number. What are homologous chromosomes? What are duplicated chromosomes? What are chromatids? How do all of these terms differ and how do they relate to each other? The following article series can help sort out the lingo.
Quick Links to Articles on Chromosome Number
Chromosomes & Sister Chromatids
DNA Duplicated & Homologues
Ploidy: Diploid & Haploid
Quick Links to Articles on Chromosome Number
Chromosomes & Sister Chromatids
DNA Duplicated & Homologues
Ploidy: Diploid & Haploid
Cell Division: Mitosis & Meiosis
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
A number of new articles have recently been added to the Suite101 collection on cellular division and how it relates to reproduction of cells and organisms.
New Article Series
If the terms mitosis and meiosis bring back unpleasant flashbacks of confusion during time spent in an introductory biology course, there is help available. A new collection of articles explores these processes and how they relate to asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction and the human life cycle. Here is a list of quick links to articles that explain these processes clearly, it easy to grasp terms.
Cell Division Quick Links
Mitosis & Meiosis Comparison
Human Life Cycle Mitosis & Meiosis
Mitosis & Meiosis Difference
Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction
Asexual & Sexual Reproduction
What Is Mitotic Cellular Division?
If the terms mitosis and meiosis bring back unpleasant flashbacks of confusion during time spent in an introductory biology course, there is help available. A new collection of articles explores these processes and how they relate to asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction and the human life cycle. Here is a list of quick links to articles that explain these processes clearly, it easy to grasp terms.
Cell Division Quick Links
Mitosis & Meiosis Comparison
Human Life Cycle Mitosis & Meiosis
Mitosis & Meiosis Difference
Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction
Asexual & Sexual Reproduction
What Is Mitotic Cellular Division?
Posted by
Tami Port
Tami Port
It’s been well-established that whales descended from terrestrial mammals, but who was this land-dwelling ancestor? Science has unearthed the surprising answer.
Although a series of intermediate fossils have been identified, documenting the evolutionary transition from land to sea, the specific identity of the whales land ancestor was unknown…until now.
Little Water Deer the Granddaddy of Whales
Recently J. G. M. “Hans” Thewissen, Ph.D. and colleagues at Northeastern Ohio University established that Indohyus, an approximately 48-million-year-old deer-like ancestor to be the closest known fossil relative of whales. In the November issue if Nature, Dr. Thewissen’s team elaborates on the telltale similarities between whales and Indohyus that are evident in the skull and ear that reveal the family relationship.
And Indohyus was not just your average little deer. Like hippos, Indohyus spent much of its time in water. This was extablished when the bones of Indohyus were found to have a thick outside layer, a characteristic often seen in mammals that have a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
Ancelstral Whales Entered the Water as Herbivores
Before Dr. Thewissen’s illuminating work, it has been widely assumed that whales descended from a carnivorous terrestrial ancestor, and whales became aquatic to feed on ocean-dwelling fish. However, Indohyus is a plant-eater, and already aquatic, suggesting that the dietary shift to carnivore came after the ancestral whale habitat shift to the water.
More Information
For more information on this discovery, see the original article in the November 2007 issue of Nature or the write-up in Science Daily. To learn more about evolution in general, see the website Science Prof Online or the Suite101 articles Evolution As Theory & Fact, Evolution & Natural Selection,or Natural & Artificial Selection.
Little Water Deer the Granddaddy of Whales
Recently J. G. M. “Hans” Thewissen, Ph.D. and colleagues at Northeastern Ohio University established that Indohyus, an approximately 48-million-year-old deer-like ancestor to be the closest known fossil relative of whales. In the November issue if Nature, Dr. Thewissen’s team elaborates on the telltale similarities between whales and Indohyus that are evident in the skull and ear that reveal the family relationship.
And Indohyus was not just your average little deer. Like hippos, Indohyus spent much of its time in water. This was extablished when the bones of Indohyus were found to have a thick outside layer, a characteristic often seen in mammals that have a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
Ancelstral Whales Entered the Water as Herbivores
Before Dr. Thewissen’s illuminating work, it has been widely assumed that whales descended from a carnivorous terrestrial ancestor, and whales became aquatic to feed on ocean-dwelling fish. However, Indohyus is a plant-eater, and already aquatic, suggesting that the dietary shift to carnivore came after the ancestral whale habitat shift to the water.
More Information
For more information on this discovery, see the original article in the November 2007 issue of Nature or the write-up in Science Daily. To learn more about evolution in general, see the website Science Prof Online or the Suite101 articles Evolution As Theory & Fact, Evolution & Natural Selection,or Natural & Artificial Selection.
Pages 1 | 2