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Genetics & DNA

More than 30 excellent videos and other resources for your next lecture on genetics or DNA. Analyze what is available to you and utilize it your next biology lab. 

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Table of Contents: Genetics—Laboratory and Classroom Activities

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Isolating DNA from Fruits

In 1962, James Watson (1928–), Francis Crick (1916–2004), and Maurice Wilkins (1916–2004) received the Nobel Prize for their determination of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In the years since the structure of DNA was first unraveled, it has become the most significant biological topic of the century. Understanding the structure of DNA helps to explain many life processes and genetic differences between organisms. The process of DNA extraction is of primary importance in many fields of biotechnology. It is critical for genetic research, DNA fingerprinting, and creating recombinant organisms to produce beneficial products in the field of medicine.

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Heredity and Environment

What is the balance between heredity and environment in determining what an organism will look like?

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Magnetic Karyotypes, FB1976

Magnetic Karyotypes Demonstration Kit is a large scale demonstration that shows students the method used to develop karyotypes from a simulated chromosome sphere - your white board becomes the microscope slide!

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DNA and Electrophoresis Simulation, FB1228

DNA and Electrophoresis Simulation provides a fun, kinesthetic way to teach DNA structure and the role of restriction enzymes.

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Flinn DNA Molecular Model Set, AP6318

Flinn DNA Molecular Model Set shows how you can impress your students with the beauty of the DNA double helix and help them visualize the elegant structure and function of the double helix.

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Fruit Fly Genetics Simulation, FB1912

Fruit Fly Genetics Simulation explains the educational benefits of using a Fruit Fly Genetics Simulation, which can be done without the hassle of time constraints needed for Drosophilia genetic crosses.

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Drosophila Mutations and Equipment

Drosophilia Mutation Cultures shows that whether you are planning to perform a monohybrid cross, back cross, or sex-linked cross, Flinn Scientific carries everything you need to perform successful Drosophila experiments.

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Fruit Fly Genetics Simulation

Fruit Fly Genetics Simulation is a Flinn Biology Minute that explains the educational benefits of using a Fruit Fly Genetics Simulation, which can be done without the hassle of time constraints needed for Drosophilia genetic crosses.

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Prevent Contaminated Drosophila Cultures

Prevent Contaminated Drosophilia Cultures is a Flinn Biology Minute with easy tips that will help you keep culture vials free of contamination.

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Introduce Genetics with Seeds

Introduce Genetics with Seeds demonstrates how to enhance your introduction to genetics by showing pea seeds with different characteristics--providing a connection to Gregor Mendel's use of pea plants to demonstrate inheritance.

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Analyzing Spooled DNA

Analyzing Spooled DNA show you how to prove to your students that what you have spooled is DNA and not protein in this Flinn Biology Minute.

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Spooling DNA from Fruit

Spooling DNA From Fruit shows several quick tips on how to best spool DNA from fruit in this Flinn Biology Minute.

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Altering the Rate of Mitosis

All new cells come from previously existing cells. New cells are formed by the process of cell division, which involves the replication of the cell’s internal structures and the division of the cytoplasm (cytokinesis). What factors affect the rate of mitosis?

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Chi-Square Analysis Using M&M’s

Do you ever wonder why the package of M&M’s never seems to contain enough of your favorite color? Or why does it seem that there is more of one color than another? Is the percentage of each color really different from one package to another? These questions can be answered by using a Chi-square analysis.

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Add Up and Cross Over

Crossing over occurs during meiosis I. During crossing over, homologous pairs of chromosomes exchange sections of DNA that contain the same genes. It is important to note that crossing over does not have to occur during each generation, nor does it always take place at the same point of exchange. Over time, however, crossing over leads to a greater variety of genes in a population and contributes to a diversity of characteristics and increased fitness of the population. This is reflected in the ability of the population to adapt to changes in the environment.

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Karyotyping Cancer Cells

Cancer is a large, overwhelming, and sometimes frightening diagnosis. The concept is to big that we forget that cancer starts small, at the cellular level. How are cancer cells different than normal cells? The purpose of this activity is to analyze a simulated karyotype, called an ideogram, in order to identify the genetic composition of both a normal cell and a cancerous cell.

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Drosophila Genetics Simulation

Explore how the appearance of an organism relates to its genetic makeup using this interactive Drosophila Genetics card simulation. Simulate a monohybrid genetic cross between wild-type and sepia fruit flies.

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Sweet 16 Drosophila Tournament

With spring in the air, many students will soon be focusing on spring vacation adventures, sunshine and the NCAA basketball tournament. This activity combines the popularity of the March Madness basketball pool with a review of the genetics of Drosophila melanogaster, including dominant vs. recessive mutations, chromosome number, sex-linked traits and gene size. Your students will enjoy playing this March Madness-like tournament and learning about Drosophila genetics.

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Codon Bingo is a stimulating game that involves deciphering the genetic code. The game is designed to give students practice with transcription and translation of codons while at the same time generating full class participation. As students play the game, they develop increased proficiency while unraveling the genetic code found in the base pairs. After playing Codon Bingo, the students will find it easier to transcribe the DNA base pair messages into mRNA codons and to translate the mRNA codons into an amino acid sequence.

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DNA, Lambda Phage, Lyophilized Powder

Lambda phage DNA can be digested with restriction enzymes to produce discrete bands of DNA fragments when analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis. The lyophilized powder is stable and can be stored at room temperature. Reconstituting the DNA for digestion and electrophoresis is easy—simply add sterile distilled or deionized water.

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Effect of Temperature on Gene Expression

Explore the effect of temperature on the expression of specific genes in Serratia marcescens bacteria.

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Translation and Transcription and Replication, Oh My!

Transcription, translation, and replication are often very hard concepts for students to grasp when discussing DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. This simple paper-and-pencil activity will take the fear out of this lion and tiger and bear of a concept.

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Chromosome Smears

Chromosomes contain all of the coded information needed by organisms to make any protein it needs. However, they are usually visible only during mitosis of the cell cycle. Chromosomes located in the cells of the salivary glands of Drosophila virilis fruit fly larvae are large and much easier to see. The purpose of this activity is to make a slide and examine these large chromosomes using a microscope.

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Learn how to isolate DNA from human cells. Yours!

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Wheat Germ DNA Extraction

This is a DNA extraction and isolation activity using common household chemicals. With dish soap, meat tenderizer, baking soda, and alcohol, students will isolate DNA from raw wheat germ.

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Isolation of Bacterial DNA - A Biological Polymer

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a polymer found in every living plant and animal cell on earth. All the genes in an organism are made of DNA, which is composed of only four monomer units, the deoxyribonucleotide bases. Students will isolate the DNA from a simple living organism, E. coli. Treatment of these bacteria with an alkaline solution of detergent liberates the DNA from the cells. The DNA in the bacteria has the same chemical properties as the DNA in cells from any organism. Much of current research is concerned with exploring DNA, the “blueprint of life,” and all those experiments begin with the scientist’s isolation of DNA from cells.