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Term Reflection

Throughout the term, many known, controversial, and difficult topics were brought up. Simple inheritance patterns were made more complicated with linkage, and debatable topics like GMOs quickly formulated opinions between myself and my family. The most interesting topic presented was epigenetics, as I know many twins and can now look at what makes them different … Continue reading Term Reflection

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GMOs

When someone talks about GMOs, the first thing that comes to mind are enhanced fruits and vegetables. But it is interesting to note that the term does not only include our food. Fish, dogs, and even humans can be genetically modified organisms as well through modified genes altered in the embryo stage. Although legal and … Continue reading GMOs

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Linkage and Unlinkage

Linked genes are sets of genes that are close to each other on chromosome maps, and are usually associated with each other. Some common examples are blonde hair and blue eyes, and red hair with freckles. More complicated linked genes are mapped out with all combinations are listed before determining chance. This is because punnet … Continue reading Linkage and Unlinkage

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Epigenetics

Epigenetics are the genes that are changed and influenced as life progresses, and it what makes even identical twins different and unique in genetic coding. Twins are two siblings that are born at the same time, and are either fraternal or identical. While fraternal twins are two different eggs being fertilized, identical twins are from … Continue reading Epigenetics

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Gender Linked Traits

The above is an example of a pedigree tree Eleanor’s family, with the colorblindness, hemophilia A, and brown teeth mutations present. From this tree, it shows Eleanor carries the colorblindness and Hemophilia gene from her blood relatives, though is not affected by it herself. Both are sexed linked, and it is up to the father, … Continue reading Gender Linked Traits

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Mendellian Genetics

Anemia is a genetic disorder that causes pale skin, lack of growth, malaise, lethargy, and gastrointestinal distress. Most common treatments, like a high iron diet, does not alleviate the symptoms as they normally would. It is usually detected by a CBC, or a blood count. In the example above, the Hb, MCV,  and WBC are … Continue reading Mendellian Genetics

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Modes of Inheritance

Streptococcus pneumoniae was an important research topic in the 1920’s for several reasons. Not only could pneumonia could be treated or cured, but scientists could learn which molecule in the human body contains DNA through the research. The smooth strain of the disease contains a coating that protects the bacteria long enough to cause the … Continue reading Modes of Inheritance