Option 1: The Double Helix
Watch LIFE STORY: The Race for the Double Helix
Explore the discovery of DNA's structure
Highlight the role of women in STEM during the 1950s
Option 2: CRISPR and the Slice to Survive
Discuss CRISPR technology and its applications
Combat invasive species
Fight diseases
Enhance biodiversity
Help organisms survive global warming
Reflect on the ethics of using CRISPR
Potential benefits
Potential dangers
Components of DNA Replication
Template Strands
Replication Fork
Enzymes
DNA Polymerase
DNA Primase
DNA Ligase
Helicase
Strands
Leading Strand (3' to 5')
Lagging Strand (5' to 3')
Okazaki Fragments
Focus on gene function and the impact of cell division on genetics.
Explore how nucleotides combine to form proteins through genetic coding.
Central Dogma: DNA -> RNA -> Protein
DNA Transcription to mRNA
mRNA Translation to Proteins
rRNA and tRNA involvement
Process Overview
Transcription: DNA code is copied to mRNA
Translation: mRNA is decoded to form proteins
Occurs in ribosomes
Involves tRNA for amino acid delivery
Key Concepts
Genetic Code: Information determining protein structure
Nucleotides: Building blocks of RNA and DNA
Exons and Introns: Coding vs. non-coding regions
Ribosome Function: mRNA to protein translation
tRNA's Role: Transfer of amino acids for protein synthesis
Components
DNA: Deoxyribose sugar, double-stranded, Thymine
RNA: Ribose sugar, single-stranded, Uracil
Base components: Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine
Structural Differences
DNA is linear while RNA can form diverse shapes
Functional versatility of RNA due to conformational complexity
Gene Examples
Organization of exons and introns within genes
Process Overview
Initial transcription results in pre-mRNA
Introns spliced out, exons joined to form mature mRNA
RNA Processing Steps
GTP Cap addition to 5' end
Poly A tail addition to 3' end
Spliceosome action to remove introns
Discuss the significance of multiple gene copies in developmental biology.
Types of Mutations
Deletion, Duplication, Inversion, Translocation defined using examples.
Overview of processes involved in cell division.
Karyotype details:
23 pairs of chromosomes in humans
22 pairs autosomal, 1 pair sex chromosomes
Diploid (46) vs. Haploid (23) distinctions
Illustration of dominant and recessive traits in coat and eye color genes across paternal and maternal chromosomes.
Overview of Mitosis
Role in growth and repair
Stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis
Process Overview
Diseases in producing haploid gametes: sperm and eggs
Fertilization leading to diploid zygote formation
Key Differences
Number of divisions and end product (diploid vs. haploid)
Comparison Summary
Mitosis: Somatic cell division, one division
Meiosis: Germ cell division, two divisions
Detailed explanation of each phase of mitosis: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis.
Mention good resources for reviewing mitosis.
Visual representation of germ line cell meiosis.
Relationship of uncontrolled mitosis to cancer.
Assessing understanding of mitotic processes with questions.
Inquiry into the importance of gene regulation in cellular processes.
Engaging discussion on the importance of regulating gene expression.
Discuss metabolic responsiveness and examples like lac operon and trp operon.
Discovery and function of the lac operon by Jacob and Monod.
Key elements involved in gene regulation in prokaryotes: Operon, Promoter, Operator, etc.
Enzyme functions and gene regulation in lac operon under lactose absence.
Mechanism of operon activation when lactose binds to the repressor.
Distinction between physiological responses based on presence of lactose and tryptophan.
Functionality of differential gene expression in establishing different cell types.
Regulation impacts gene expression crucial for development and specialized functions.
Overview of multiple regulatory mechanisms including DNA packing, enhancers, and silencing.
Find a video example of gene expression control and summarize key features.