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Please enable scripts and reload this page. Skip to content. Page Content. Examples of these conceptions include: that any observable variation between organisms of the same species is solely due to environmental factors that not all living things contain genetic information that a gene is not a real thing that genes that carry the genetic material are only found in the blood or only found in the brain or only found in the reproductive system that a person will only carry genes for characteristics they display such as tongue rolling and not for characteristics that they do not display such as red hair that acquired changes e.
Critical teaching ideas Genetic material provides the information that allows living things to function. Genetic information can be passed on from generation to generation. The passing on of this genetic information will be different in asexual and sexual reproduction and cloning.
Variations within this information are more likely in sexual reproduction. Changes in genetic information for example, from mutation can give rise to variation in characteristics and can be passed on through the generations.
Promote reflection on and clarification of existing ideas Another activity might be for the students to design high tech genetic identity cards; for this students may need to research the possible ethical and human rights considerations of collecting this personal information. Promote reflection on and clarification of existing ideas Students might also discuss the causes and sources of mutations as well as other sources of variation such as recombination.
Open discussion by a shared experience Ethical issues and dilemmas associated with genetics can elicit student need to know and provide excellent routes into student engagement. A useful resource to explore the role of the sickle cell gene in natural selection is: A Mutation Story.
Science continuum archive. This ensures that both daughter cells inherit the complete set of genetic information from the parent cell. Second, the information stored in the DNA molecule must be translated , or expressed. In order for the stored information to be useful, cells must be able to access the instructions for making specific proteins, so the correct proteins are made in the right place at the right time.
Figure 1. Both copying and reading the information stored in DNA relies on base pairing between two nucleic acid polymer strands. Recall that DNA structure is a double helix see Figure 1. The sugar deoxyribose with the phosphate group forms the scaffold or backbone of the molecule highlighted in yellow in Figure 1. Bases point inward. Complementary bases form hydrogen bonds with each other within the double helix. See how the bigger bases purines pair with the smaller ones pyrimidines.
This keeps the width of the double helix constant. More specifically, A pairs with T and C pairs with G. As we discuss the function of DNA in subsequent sections, keep in mind that there is a chemical reason for specific pairing of bases. Insulin is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.
The insulin gene contains instructions for assembling the protein insulin from individual amino acids. Changing the sequence of nucleotides in the DNA molecule can change the amino acids in the final protein, leading to protein malfunction. If insulin does not function correctly, it might be unable to bind to another protein insulin receptor. On the organismal level of organization, this molecular event change of DNA sequence can lead to a disease state—in this case, diabetes.
Empower your students to learn about genetics with this collection of resources. A mutation is a change in the sequence of genetic letters, called bases, within a molecule of DNA. Genetic variation is the presence of differences in sequences of genes between individual organisms of a species. It enables natural selection, one of the primary forces driving the evolution of life. Genetics is the study of genes and how traits are inherited—or passed down—from one generation to the next. Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students.
Skip to content. Image Identical twin men Genes determine the physical appearance of all animals. Photograph by Jodi Cobb. Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google Classroom. Encyclopedic Entry Vocabulary. Genetic Code. Media Credits The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. Media If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer.
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