Overview: Genetics Unit

For the next 4 weeks we will be focusing on genetics.  We will start with molecular genetics (DNA, RNA, proteins), move on to how cells pass along their genetics ( mitosis and meiosis), examine inheritance of genetics and finish with looking at genetics at the population level (evolution). Here is a diagram that helps me to think about the topic.

In this unit we will start at the molecular level and build our way to the larger scale.

Flow of Information From DNA, Genes, Proteins to Phenotype

• Each cell has many double stranded pieces of DNA called chromosomes.
• Long stretches of that  DNA codes for the amino acid sequence of different proteins. 
  • These segments of DNA that code for proteins are called genes 
• The amino acid sequence will determine the folding, shape and function of the protein
• Those proteins determine the function of the cell and therefore of the individual.
• The appearance and function of the individual is called their phenotype

Flow of Information from Cell to Cell 

• Cells can pass along their genetic information through mitosis
  • this is used for creating identical daughter cells for growth or asexual reproduction
• Cells can pass along their genetic information through meiosis
  • this is used for sexual reproduction 

Flow of Information from one Generation to the Next

• Sexual reproduction combines the genetic information from two different parents
• That genetic recombination creates individuals who are genetically different from their parents. 
• We will study these patterns of inheritance. 

Flow of information in a Population 

• Because environments are so variable and sexual reproduction creates genetic variation  some individuals do better than others
• This difference in survival and reproduction leads to adaptations and evolution.