Genetics and Evolution

Click on the links below to find resources relevant to a specific area of the IBO curriculum

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Complete Works of Charles Darwin Online
Contains publications, manuscripts, and biography of Charles Darwin
Continental Drift and Evolution
Comparison of geological evidence and evolution
The Dolan DNA Learning Center
DNA resources, websites, tutorials, and programs for teachers and students
Evolution 101
Reference site for evolution
Evolution and the Nature of Science Institutes
Teaching lessons and resources for evolution and nature of science
Findings
Online journal Findings includes images, interactive games, images, and resources
Genetic Science Learning Center
Basic genetic information
- Transcribe and Build a Gene
  Basic animation that students may practice with an almost infinite number of combinations
- Gel Electrophoresis
  Introduction to gel electrophoresis, an essential USABO and IBO skill
The Human Genome Project
Provides a brief introduction with links for public interest, educators, and scientists
An Introduction to the Concepts and Theories That Led to Our Current Understanding of Evolution
Tutorial with extensive information
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Extensive resources on databases, sequences, medicine and other resource links such as PubMed and PubChem
- The New Gene Map of the Human Genome
  Map of 23 chromosomes of human genome and human genome resources
- Genome Database
  This resource organizes information on genomes including maps, chromosomes, assemblies, and annotations.
- Primer Design
  Summary of bioinformatics, genome mapping, molecular mapping, SNPs, ESTs, microarrays, molecular genetics, pharmacogenetics, and phylogenetics
National Human Genome Research Institute
Highlights, Quick links, recent research, career information, and map the human genome and study genetic components of complex disorders and diseases
- Understanding the Human Genome Project
  Human Genome Online Education Kit. This site also contains fact sheets, a glossary, and webinars
National Institutes of Health: Genetics Home Reference
Basic description of genetics with links to research, inheritance, and other related information
Nuclei Acid Database
Repository of three-dimensional structural information about nucleic acids
Shape of Life: The Shape of Life series provides FREE classroom media to science teachers and includes over 80 short video segments based upon the exquisite PBS series on the evolution of the animal kingdom on planet earth. These videos are available for streaming, download or on DVD. The Shape of Life website is a complementary resource for teachers to share their classroom experiences and obtain additional resources.
Tree of Life Project
Provides information about biodiversity, the characteristics of different groups of organisms, and their evolutionary history
The Timetree of Life
Public knowledge-base for information on the evolutionary timescale of life with search utility to explore thousands of divergence times among organisms in the published literature. A tree-based (heirarchical) system is used to identify all published molecular time estimates bearing on the divergence of two chosen taxa (such as species), compute summary statistics, and present the results.
What Darwin Never Knew
PBS film about the Galapagos Islands and what genetics could reveal to Darwin today

VARIATION

Mutations
- Biology Online
  - Genetic Mutations
    Descriptions of inversions and translocation of genes and alternation of a DNA Sequence
  - Chromosome Mutations
    Description of deletion and duplication of genes and nondisjunction
- Dolan Learning Center
  - Mitochondrial (mt) Point Mutations
    Advanced tutorial on mitochondrial DNA, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected in the ring-shaped chromosome found in the cell’s energy-producing organelle. mt DNA mutations due to exposure to oxygen free radicals generated as a by-product of respiration. Mitochondrial mutations can be used to retrace the common maternal lineage of modern humans and to determine our relationship to the extinct hominid Neanderthal
  - Alu Insertion Polymorphism
    Detects the presence or absence of a ‘jumping gene’ on chromosome 16. This simple genetic system has only two alleles and three genotypes. Despite this simplicity, allele frequencies vary greatly in different world populations. Alternate explanations about the causes of this variation are consistent with opposing theories of the origins of modern humans.
- Kimball Biology: Mutations
  Overview of mutations and effects
Modification
- Cloning Dolly the Sheep
  Description of the cloning of Dolly
- NOVA: Ghost in Your Genes Epigenetic Therapy
  Experts investigate how a mysterious “second genome” helps determine our biological fates
- McGraw Hill: Early Genetic Engineering Experiment
  Animation of Boyer and Cohen’s experiment in 1973
- Mammalian Cloning Milestone: Mice from Mice from Mice
  Description of first cloning of a mammal by Teruhiko Wakayama and team in the lab of Ryuzo Yanagimachi at the University of Hawaii in Manoa in 1998
- Penguinology
  Blog studying past and present penguins, includes cladistics
- Science Daily
  - Epigenetics: DNA Isn’t Everything
    Discussion of research into epigenetics that has shown that environmental factors affect characteristics of organisms
  - Genetic Modification News
    Articles on research and findings of genetic modification
- SciTable: Obesity, Epigenetics, and Gene Regulation
  Role of epigenetic changes due environment providing clues to obesity
- NCBI: Methods and Mechanisms for Genetic Manipulation of Plants, Animals, and Microorganisms
  Description of methods of modifying plants, animals and microorganisms for food.
- Transgenic Fly Lab
  Introduction to the science and techniques of making transgenic flies

MENDELIAN INHERITANCE: MONOHYBRID, DI-HYBRID, AND POLY-HYBRID CROSSES

Basic Principles of Genetics
Introduction to Mendelian Genetics
Biological Basis of Heredity
An introduction to basic cell structures related to genetic inheritance
Greenomes
Provides lab and bioinformatics to introduce students to modern plant genetics and genome research using Arabidopsis
How to Sequence a Genome
Brief, well-written summary with each step explained.
Mendelian Crosses
Problem sets on monohybrid, dihybrid, and sex-linked crosses
Mendelian Genetics Problems
Problem sets that include polyhybrid crosses
Problem sets and tutorials for monohybrid, dihybrid, and sex-linked crosses
Mendel Museum
Life of Mendel and his work presented in the Augustinian Abbey in Old Brno, Czechoslovakia under the direction of Masaryk University
Mendelweb
Includes Mendel’s Experiments in Plant Hybridization, comments on his paper, glossaries, references, teaching materials, and other resources

MULTIPLE ALLELISM, RECOMBINATION, SEX LINKAGE

Chromosome Linkage, Recombination, & Mapping by Steven Carr
Descriptions and examples of linkages, recombination, and mapping
Kimball’s Biology Pages: Genetic Linkages and Genetic Maps
Description of Mendel’s crosses, independent assortment, genetic maps and linkages
Recombination and Linkage
Overview of recombination and linkage
Scitable: Thomas Hunt Morgan, Genetic Recombination, and Gene Mapping
Description of Morgan’s work and its role into understanding genetics
How to Solve Linkage Map Problems: Tutorial by BiDoSoft.

HARDY-WEINBERG PRINCIPLE

The Biology Place: Population Genetics and Evolution
Hardy Weinberg tutorial
Hardy Weinberg Model (Author Dennis O’Neil)
Discussion of Hardy Weinberg with problem sets
Kansas State University: Population Genetics and the Hardy Weinberg Law
Practice problems with answers
Oklahoma State University: Hardy Weinberg Tutorial
Animation of six principles of Hardy Weinberg principle
Pierce Genetics Population and Evolutionary Genetics: The Hardy-Weinberg Law and the Effects of Inbreeding and Natural Selection
Animation of the Hardy Weinberg and population genetics
Population Genetics
Discussion of population genetics to include problems and Hardy-Weinberg Law. Click on the PDF Dasgupta and Tutti download to view the PowerPoint.

MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTION

General Information

GlencoMcGraw Hill Animations: Mechanisms of Evolution
Animation of five factors that alter the ratio of homozygotes to heterozygotes in a population
Mechanisms: The Process of Evolution
Description of evolution mechanisms
SERC (Carleton University) Mechanisms of Evolution Links
Links and lesson plans for teaching about the mechanisms of evolution
Smithsonian: Human Origins

Specific Mechanisms of Evolution

Mutation
- CDC: Prion Diseases
  Description of prions and list of prion disease
- Prion Diseases and BSE Crisis
  Classic article on proteins acting as infectious agents
- Scientific American: Prions take lessons on diversification from viruses
  Examines the emergence and persistence of prion mutations, which allow prions to grow in infected cells in the presence of anti-prion compounds
- Whitehead Institute: Prions act as stepping stones in evolution, p.3
  Description of errors in protein folding and potential connection to evolution
Natural Selection
- Early Theories of Evolution: Darwin and Natural Selection
  17th-19th Century Discoveries that Led to the Acceptance of Biological Evolution
- Natural Selection and Speciation
  Examples of speciation
- Natural Selection and Adaptation
  Overview of natural selection
- Understanding Evolution: Natural Selection
  Brief description of natural selection
Reproductive Isolation
- Baylor College of Medicine: BioEd Online
  Powerpoint slides on reproductive isolation. Check the Terms of Use before using
- Bing Images: Reproductive Isolation
  Images related to reproductive isolation. Be sure to make sure that they are copyright free before using them.
- Miami University: Reproductive Isolation
  Describes mechanisms of reproductive isolation
- Reproductive Isolation and Mechanisms of Reproduction
  Overview of reproduction isolation in plants
- Understanding Evolution: Reproductive Isolation
  Describes role of reproductive isolation in evolution
Adaptation
- Bing Images of Plant Adaptations
  Photos and graphs of plant adaptation. Be sure to check copyright before use
- Britannica.com: Plant adaptations
  Video of plant adaptations. Must view commercial before film.
- Digital Desert: Mojave Desert Plants and Adaptations
  In depth descriptions of plants found in Mojave Desert and their adaptations. Photography by Walter Feller, copyrighted
- Florida Museum of Natural History
  Description and photos of fish adaptations
- How Do Animals Do That?
  Series of videos on how adaptations help animals survive
- Fish Adaptations
  Description of fish adaptations
- Reptile Adaptations
  Museum of Manchester herpetologist describes one adaptation mechanism in a lizard.
- National Geographic
  Series of videos on animals and survival
- Missouri Botanical Garden
  - Plant Adaptations
    Basic information on plant adaptations in various ecosystems
  - Plant Adaptations
    Describes plant adaptations in rainforest
- Utah Education Network: Animal Adaptations
  Comparisons among animals
Fitness
- Island Biogeography and Evolution from Access Excellence
  Activity about the evolution of three species of lizards on the Canary Islands developed by RP Filson at Woodrow Wilson and revised with multiple authors.
- Understanding Evolution: What about Fitness?
  Description of fitness with examples

Source: https://www.usabo-trc.org/trc-usabo-study-challenges.