DNA, Genes, Chromosomes
The building blocks of inheritance
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a biomolecule that holds the blueprint for how living organisms are built. DNA is made out of two long, twisted strands that contain complementary genetic information (like a picture and its negative). A gene is a segment of DNA that is passed down from parents to children and confers a trait to the offspring. Genes are organized and packaged in units called “chromosomes.” Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. One set of chromosomes for each pair comes from a person’s mother, and the other set of chromosomes comes from the father.
Materials for DNA, Genes, Chromosomes
Animation
DNA Interactive
Description: Animations, interactive tutorials, and practice problems that teach a range of genetic concepts
- Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
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- URL: http://www.dnai.org/
DNA is a Structure that Encodes Biological Information
Description: General information and an animation on DNA and chromosomes
- Source: Nature Education
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- URL: http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/dna-is-a-structure-that-encodes-biological-6493050
Tour the Basics
Description: Interactive tutorials on DNA, genes, chromosomes, protein, heredity, and traits
- Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah
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- URL: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/tour/
Your Introduction to DNA, Genes, and Genomes
Description: Activities, animations, and information on DNA, genes, and genomics
- Source: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
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- URL: http://www.yourgenome.org/landing_dgg.shtml
Articles/Research
Genes
Description: General information on genes
- Source: MedlinePlus
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- URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002371.htm
The New Genetics - Glossary of Genetic Terms
Description: A glossary of genetic terms
- Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences
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- URL: http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/thenewgenetics/glossary.html
The New Genetics - How Genes Work
Description: Information from a science education booklet explaining basic genetic concepts including DNA, RNA, transcription, RNA splicing, translation, ribosomes, antibiotics, genetic diseases, and gene chips
- Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences
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- URL: http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/thenewgenetics/chapter1.html
The New Genetics - RNA and DNA Revealed
Description: Information from a science education booklet explaining microRNAs, RNAi, epigenetics, telomeres, mtDNA, and recombinant DNA
- Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences
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- URL: http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/thenewgenetics/chapter2.html
What is a Gene?
Description: Basic information on genes
- Source: Nemours
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- URL: http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/what_is_gene.html
Games
The Gene Scene
Description: Games and activities on DNA, genes, cloning, genetic careers, and more
- Source: American Museum of Natural History
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- URL: http://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/genetics
The New Genetics Interactive Puzzle
Description: A genetic concepts crossword puzzel
- Source: National Institute of General Medical Sciences
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- URL: http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/thenewgenetics/index_cw.html
Interactive Tutorials
Label the Cell and the DNA
Description: An activity on labeling diagrams of a cell, chromosome, and DNA
- Source: NeoK-12
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- URL: http://www.neok12.com/diagram/Genetics-01.htm
The Gene Scene
Description: Games and activities on DNA, genes, cloning, genetic careers, and more
- Source: American Museum of Natural History
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- URL: http://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/genetics
Lesson Guides/Lesson Plans
Genetic Timeline
Description: A lesson plan highlighting key discoveries that have led to our present understanding of the human genome
- Source: National Human Genome Research Institute
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- URL: http://www.genome.gov/10506099
Teacher Resources
Your Introduction to DNA, Genes, and Genomes
Description: Activities, animations, and information on DNA, genes, and genomics
- Source: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
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- URL: http://www.yourgenome.org/landing_dgg.shtml
