In this section of the course we will focus on some real biological basics, necessary as you go on in your biology major and important as we think about how we connect genes to traits. Chapter 5 focuses on questions like, What is DNA? How does it “make” proteins to build and make bodies work? How is this hereditary material passed down from generation to generation? We also dive into some materials from beyond the text including the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance, some readings on Twins and Epigenetics as well as the Evolution of Sex. You will notice we will spend more than two weeks on this chapter to make sure everyone has a good handle on this material!
Week of March 3rd (Bacteria Plating, Fly Intro)
- MON- I may introduce CH 5 Raw Material, but no need to read before class. Instead watch and take notes on this! Nova/Frontline Nightmare Bacteria and peek at these two at some point RapidBacterialEvol +Great MRSA basics+HGT.
- WED- CH 5 Raw Material-Part I (Reading Guide Due for first part of CH 5-In Google Classroom) and read this short article Evol Vaccine Resistance Viruses
- FRI-CH 5 Raw Material, (Reading Guide Due for second part of CH 5-In Google Classroom)
Week of March 10th (Bacteria Plating, Gram Staining, Clear Fly Vials)
- MON- CH 5 Raw Material, Read A Thing or Two About Twins …but I am betting it will make you pay so here is a pdf A Thing or Two About Twins ! Watch Nova Epigenetics (you could also search Nova Epigenetics and it will come up in several places).
- WED- CH 5 Raw Material, (Reading Guide Due for third part of CH 5-In Google Classroom).
- FRI- CH 5 Raw Material (Reading Guide Due for fourth part of CH 5-In Google Classroom)
Week of March 17th (Bacteria Plating, Flies-Count Bristles on first generation (maybe select for a second generation again), Bird Banding, Bird Correlations)
- MON- Maybe start Punnet Squares and more complex examples of the real ways genes interact. First “Practice” Research Write-Up DUE under my door by 5pm
- WED- Please read Evolution of Sex and Google “Penis Fencing in Flatworms” to watch the videos…there are a couple of them but they are mostly the same. (don’t let your parents see). I also like but am NOT requiring you to read this article (Why Sex? ) because it shows cool protists..but it is longer and wanders at the end so not required.
- FRI-Wrap up! And watch this for review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG7uCskUOrA and this..a fabulous early ’70s UC Berkeley Transcription Translation video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9dhO0iCLww
Week of March 24th (Bacteria Plating, Clear Fly Vials, Greenhouse Phylogenies, Water Samples Design)
- MON- EXAM
- Ask your questions about the exam here!
- Complete the exam preparation assignment due before Fri pm (in Google Classroom)
- Don’t forget we also talked about (1) the evolution of antibiotic resistance-you watched a video and responded to questions and (2) Twins and epigenetics-you had a handout that you completed in class and (3) the evolution of sex-you read a short paper and answered questions in class.
Ppts from class will go here …
- CH5aReplicationMitosisTranscriptionTranslation
- CH5bGeneRegulation+SizingUpGenome
- CH5cMutations+Meiosis25
- CH5dMendel+GettingReal25
Practice Handouts and Keys will go here..
- ExamTwoPracticeQuestions 25
- ExamTwoPracticeQuestions Key
- Sperm are (fill in blank-haploid diploid)KEY (This was handed out in class)
Additional resources to check out…
- More on height
- There are sooo many videos available on mitosis, meiosis, transcription and translation! Some people like the Amoeba Sisters videos. They are a little cutesy but biologically appropriate. Also check out the Bozeman Science website.
- TranscriptionTranslationReview
- Good info on gene expression
- Check out for extra info on Mendel MendelBlog
- Univ. Utah Basic Genetics
- NCBI DNA Structure (general overall review)
- https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer# (general overall review)
- DNALC (has lots of resources and videos, one focuses on RNA splicing)
And this is kind of cute 🙂