Also Try
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
Books
- College level - Basic Biology (Farabee)
Includes Introduction to the Nature of Science and Biology, Chemistry 1 (Atoms and Molecules), Chemistry II (Water and Organic Molecules), Cells (Origins and Cellular Organization), Transport in and out of Cells, Cell Division (Binary Fission, Mitosis, Meiosis, and Sexual Reproduction), Laws of Thermodynamics, Reactions and Enzymes, ATP and Biological Energy, Cellular Metabolism and Fermentation, Photosynthesis, Introduction to Genetics, Gene Interactions, DNA and Molecular Genetics, Human Genetics, Protein Synthesis, Control of Gene Expression, Plants and their Structure, Flowering Plant Reproduction (Flower Structure, Fertilization, and Fruits), Plant Hormones and Nutrition, Animal Cells and Tissues, Animal Organ Systems and Homeostasis, the Integumentary System, the Circulatory Sytems, Lymphatic System and Immunity, the Digestive System, the Nervous System, the Endocrine System, the Reproductive System, the Muscular and Skeletal Systems, the Respiratory System, the Excretory System, Development of Evolutionary Theory, The Modern View of Evolution, Biological Diversity (Classification, Viruses, Bacteria, Archaeans, Protists - Stem Eukaryotes, Fungi, Nonvascular Plants and Nonseed Vascular Plants, Seed Plants, and Animals), Human Evolution, Population Ecology, Community and Ecosystem Dynamics, the Biosphere and Mass Extinctions, and Glossary. 12-02
Games
- Genetic Mastermind
Provides a game that helps teach concepts in genetics. 6-01
Lesson Plans
- Cells (Franklin Institute)
Provides a lesson plan on the cell. "In your classroom, you and your students can make a model of a cell and some of its parts." 5-02
- Cells - Grades 1 - 6 on Molecules and Cells (San Diego State University)
Provides 6 elementary school level lessons on molecules and cells.
- Cells and Chemistry (Utah State Office of Education and Utah State Office of Higher Education)
"The generic (universal) cell and its functions and involvement in chemical changes illustrates life processes." 5-02
- Genetics - Grade 10 (British Columbia Ministry of Education)
Provides a lesson plan for the 10th grade level. The materials are called an Integrated Resource Package. 2-01
- Genetics Lessons (University of Kansas Medical Center)
Provides lessons related to genetics and ethics related to biotechnology. 1-04
Lists
- Cells - Dictionary of Cell Biology (Virtual Library of Cell Biology - Fenteany)
Provides explanations of basic cell structure and activity at an advanced high school or beginning college level. 2-01
- Cells and Biochemistry (Awesome Library)
Provides information on cells and more. 1-04
- Genomes Research - Resources (US Department of Energy and the Human Genome Project)
Provides sources of information from centers conducting research in genetics.
- Human Genome Map - Chromosome 21 and Base Pairs (BBC News)
Provides a drawing of base pairs and another drawing of the relationship among base pairs, chromosomes, DNA, human cells, and genes. 5-00
- Human Genome Map - Status (Macmillan Publishers - Nature)
Provides an update on mapping all 23 human chromosomes, especially chromosomes 21 and 22. 5-00
Materials
- A Leaf from Far, Far Away and Very, Very Close (Florida State University - Davidson)
"View the Milky Way at 10 million light years from the Earth. Then move through space towards the Earth in successive orders of magnitude until you reach a tall oak tree just outside the buildings of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida. After that, begin to move from the actual size of a leaf into a microscopic world that reveals leaf cell walls, the cell nucleus, chromatin, DNA and finally, into the subatomic universe of electrons and protons." 9-02
- Chromosomes - Photos and Diagrams (Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology)
Provides photos, diagrams, and other information on chromosomes X, Y, and 1-22. 2-02
Multimedia
- DNA, Genes, and Heredity (DNA Learning Center)
Provides animations to explain the basic concepts. Requires (free) Flash software.
News
- 03-31-04 Mouse Genes to Help in Hunts for Cures (ABC News - Fox)
"The genetic code of the rat joined the growing list of creatures whose DNA has been mapped on Wednesday and experts said it will make the laboratory rat, already beloved by scientists, an even better tool for fighting human disease."
"The rat is only the third species to be sequenced to such a degree, after the completed human genome sequence in April 2003 and the draft mouse genome in December 2002."
"It confirms that the laboratory rat is in fact a good choice for medical research. Almost all human genes associated with diseases have counterparts in the rat genome, the researchers write in this week's issue of the journal Nature." 3-04
Papers
- -Genetics Basics (Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation - Weber)
 Provides a basic foundation of knowledge in genetics. Some sample comments from Dr. Weber's guide include:
"Our bodies are comprised of trillions of microscopic units called cells. Cells in turn are built up from many specific types of molecules, both large and small. The large molecules or macromolecules include polysaccharides, nucleic acids and proteins."
"Each protein is a linear polymer of a specific sequence of 20 different amino acids. DNA is also a linear polymer comprised of 4 types of nucleotides. The sequence of amino acids in each protein is encoded by a segment of DNA called a gene. Three consecutive nucleotides in a gene encode a single amino acid in the corresponding protein. The genetic code is universal among all living things."
DNA is an exceptionally ancient and stable molecule. It is passed from one generation to the next with only very gradual change. The nucleotide sequences of chimpanzee (our closest living relative) and human DNA are about 98.5% identical despite the fact that our last common ancestor lived about 6 million years ago. Similarities in DNA nucleotide sequences can be detected between all free living organisms including reptiles and plants, worms and fungi, and humans and bacteria." 1-04
- Bacteria - DNA Sequencing (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)
Provides steps for DNA sequencing, PCR purification, and more. Select "Bacterial ID Virtual Lab" to view the animations. Requires free Shockwave software. 1-04
- Basic Biological Structure Revealed (applesforhealth)
Researchers have determined the intricate structure of the ribosome, an ancient biological machine that turns genetic blueprints into working cell parts. 10-01-99.
- Bioinformatics Definitions and History (Bioinformatics)
" 'The mathematical, statistical and computing methods that aim to solve biological problems using DNA and amino acid sequences and related information.' " 1-04
- Cells - Inside a Cell (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides a diagram and explanation of each part of a cell, including nucleus, lyosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria, cytoplasm, cell membrane, and golgi complex. 1-04
- Chromosomes - What They Are (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides a picture and explanation of chromosomes. 5-00
- Cloning and Bioethics (US Department of Energy and the Human Genome Project)
Discusses ethical, legal, and social implications of genetic research.
- DNA And Disease (applesforhealth)
Scientists have developed a way to produce and combine proteins so they can act as genetic switches to turn genes on and off on demand. 03-03-00.
- DNA - What It Is (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides diagrams and explanations of the relationship between DNA, nucleotides, and cells. 5-00
- DNA Testing for Genetic Disorders (CBSNews.com)
Provides DNA information to help predict genetic disorders that may be controlled by diet. The test may cost around $600. 11-03
- Franklin, Rosalind (AccessExcellence.org - Ardell)
"There is probably no other woman scientist with as much controversy surrounding her life and work as Rosalind Franklin. Franklin was responsible for much of the research and discovery work that led to the understanding of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA." 4-03
- Franklin, Rosalind (PBS.org)
After completing her essential discoveries on DNA, "She turned her attention to viruses, publishing 17 papers in five years. Her group's findings laid the foundation for structural virology." 4-03
- Franklin, Rosalind (University of California San Diego)
"There is probably no other woman scientist with as much controversy surrounding her life and work as Rosalind Franklin. Franklin was responsible for much of the research and discovery work that led to the understanding of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA." 4-03
- Gene Map of the Human Genome (NCBI)
Provides information on recent research to sequence human genomes.
- Genes - An Introduction (Athro, Limited)
Provides an introduction to concepts related to genetics. 12-00
- Genes - An Introduction (U.S. Department of Energy and The Human Genome Project)
Provides an introduction to genes. 1-04
- Genes - Tools Used in Genetic Research (US Department of Energy and the Human Genome Project)
Provides information and drawings to illustrate results from the use of different tools in genetic research.
- Genes - What They Are (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides diagrams and step by step explanations of the role of DNA in the formation of RNA and proteins. 5-00
- Genes Control Aging (EurekAlert.org)
"Two University of Colorado at Boulder researchers working with GenoPlex Inc. in Denver have identified a biological switch that controls lifespan in tiny worms, a finding that could have applications for mammals, including people." Discusses DAF-2 and DAF-16. College Level. 9-02
- Genes and Miniaturization - Beyond Biology (US Department of Energy and the Human Genome Project)
Describes how information from genes applies to miniaturization and helping humans.
- Genetic Data Use Limited (applesforhealth)
Troubled that technological advances may be exploited by employers, President Clinton signed an executive order banning the federal government from using genetic information in any hiring or promotion. 02-11-00.
- Genetics - Basic Information (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides diagrams and explanations of chromosomes, DNA, genes, proteins, cells, and inheritance. Also provides experiments that can be conducted in the kitchen. 5-00
- Genetics Current Events (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides information on occasional news stories related to genetics. 1-04
- Genetics Glossary (National Human Genome Research Institute)
Provides definitions of the key terms, such as base pairs. 6-00
- Genetics Help With the Study of Fast Evolution of Crabs (National Geographic Society - Krause)
Describes how the rapid evolution of the Jamaican tree crab was studied with the help of genetic material. 1-02
- Genome Mapping - Select Research Articles (Macmillan Publishers - Nature)
Provides select research articles on mapping the human genome. 6-00
- Genome Mapping by Organism (Nature)
Provides genome research summaries for humans, mice, rats, elegans, tuberculosis, and other organisms that have been mapped. 6-00
- Genomes - Types of Genome Maps (US Department of Energy and the Human Genome Project)
Provides information and drawings to illustrate different ways of portraying genetic sequences. 1-04
- Hodgkin, Dorothy Crowfoot (University of California San Diego)
"Concentrating first on her contributions to science, she is known as a founder of the science of protein crystallography. Hodgkin's contributions to crystallography included solutions of the structures of cholesterol, lactoglobulin, ferritin, tobacco mosaic virus, penicillin, vitamin B-12, and insulin (a solution on which she worked for 34 years), as well as the development of methods for indexing and processing X-ray intensities." 1-04
- Longevity - Gene Triggers Many Ills Of Old Age (applesforhealth)
A gene that usually helps to repair damaged cells appears to have another, very different role as a troublemaker inciting the molecular mayhem that causes bodies to breakdown as they get older. 04-14-00.
- Medicine and the Genome Projects (CNN - Feig)
Summarizes implications of the human genome project, considered a major milestone for medicine. 2-01
- Search GeneBank, Genomes, Proteins, and Structures (National Center for Biotechnology Information)
"Established in 1988 as a national resource for molecular biology information, NCBI creates public databases, conducts research in computational biology, develops software tools for analyzing genome data, and disseminates biomedical information - all for the better understanding of molecular processes affecting human health and disease." 2-02
- Telomeres (TelDB)
"Telomeres are the physical ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. They are specialized nucleoprotein complexes that have important functions, primarily in the protection, replication, and stabilization of the chromosome ends." Also discusses telomerase. College level. 9-02
Projects
- Biology - Genetics Projects to Promote Scientific Inquiry Skills (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides three thematic challenges, with resource materials, to help students gain inquiry skills. 1-04
- Cell Growth Patterns (Conway and Stuart)
Provides an interactive method to show a variety of patterns of cell growth. 6-02
- Chromosomes and Genetics (Utah Museum)
Provides basic information about chromosomes, DNA, stem cells, and related topics of interest. Visitors sometimes misspell as chromosones, cromosomes, or cromosones. 5-02
- DNA - How to Transcribe and Translate It (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides a step by step process to separate DNA. 5-02
- DNA Workshop (PBS.org)
"An embryonic cell divides again and again. Where there was one cell there are two, then four, then eight,... Each holds all the genetic information needed to create a human being. How, exactly, do these cells make copies of themselves?" 4-03
- Genetic Mastermind
Provides a game that helps teach concepts in genetics. 6-01
- Genetics Projects to Promote Scientific Inquiry Skills (Genetic Science Learning Center)
Provides three thematic challenges, with resource materials, to help students gain inquiry skills. 1-04
- Problems (Science4kids)
Teaches science and genetics through problem solving. 1-01
- Projects in Genetics (School.Discovery.com)
Provides two genetics projects.
Pass It On
"Drawing red and white beans from a jar is an easy way for students to see how chromosome pairs determine whether a person is male or female. The activity also helps them understand that the assortment of chromosomes that pass from parents to offspring is random. For best results, have students work in groups of five."
Productive Plants
"In this activity, students design a scientific investigation to test a variable in the growth and reproductive rate of plants. Then they consider how using genetically modified plants (designed to grow rapidly from seed to seedling to plant) would affect their experiment. For maximum impact, select at least one experiment for the class to test." 1-04
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