Genetic Variety

Genetic variety is the different genes and alleles that a species could get. Our Reebob’s are a perfect example to demonstrate this. We used Reebob's to mate them to see the different genotypes and phenotypes they would get. For example, in the beginning my bug had an all green genotype and it looked like this.









Then after mating a few times the bug had a genotype that had 4 different colors and looked different from the first one.

This is all from something called crossing over. Crossing over happens during the process of meiosis. It gives the sperm or egg cell part of the mother's genes and part of the father's genes, this way the offspring will be a mix of both of the parents. This is how my Reebob went from all green to green, purple, yellow and black. Each time my Reebob mated it got another Reebob's genes. This made the new Reebob unique because even if the phenotype is the same as another bug, it is VERY unlikely that they will have the same genotype. This is because even if the alleles are the same to give you the same phenotype as someone, it is even more unlikely for them to have the same colors as you are. That is why they call it genetic variety because there is a huge variety of genetics that are possible for the new Reebob to get. Using Reebob's gave me a clearer understanding of how genetic variety works with things like phenotypes, genotypes and crossing over.

what we did in class 3/7/10

In class we have been learning about co-dominant and incomplete dominant alleles. If I could go back in time i would tell myself that co - dominant alleles are alleles that have more than one dominant gene. Also that if you have two co - dominant genes part of the thing the is for will be one gene and the other part of it will be the other. Where as incomplete dominance is a mix where say if you have a white flower and a red flower they will make a pink flower.

This week I had a little trouble with those concepts until we finished making our bugs. As we were doing that I saw that my bug was co-dominant for its green and brown color so it would not be a green- brown color but half green and half brown. Also that even though my antennae was feathered, others could be round or round and feathered which was a combination of the two. Since it said that the antennae were incomplete dominant and I knew that some of them could be a mix of each other that’s when I really started to get the concept of the two.


Incomplete Dominance:
(Picture)
http://www.bio.miami.edu/~cmallery/150/mendel/c14x9incomplete-dominance2.jpg

Co-Dominance:
(Picture)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Co-dominance_Rhododendron.jpg

what we did in class 1/31/10

If I could go back in time I would tell myself the differences between mitosis and meiosis. In meiosis the end result are haploid cells which mean that the cell(s) have only half of the DNA that it started with. In mitosis the end result is a diploid cell which means the new cell(s) has the exact amount of DNA as the parent cell did before mitosis. Another thing is that mitosis is used for replacing old, damaged cells and to make new ones. Meiosis is used to make sex cells. Also that the steps for the processes are basically the same. The only difference is that the steps in mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase and cytokenisis. the steps in meiosis are prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I, cytokenisis, prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, telophase II, and gamete. The steps are the same just that in meiosis the steps are repeated twice where as in mitosis they are only done once.

The thing that helped me the most was the simulation in class we did on Friday that showed us each step, from each process at the same time. This really made it easier to learn the differences and similarities between the two processes. We could compare what was happening at each phase. Also on the side were brief descriptions of what was happening during each phase. Using visuals like that really helps me in learning things like these two processes.. If I went back in time and new I was going to do this I would be very confident that I would learn this concept very well.

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy-GY-YCg3Y

what we did in class this week 1 /23/10

This week in class we have been learning about meiosis and how it is similar to mitosis. Both processes involve cellular reproduction but in mitosis the end result is two identical cells. In meiosis the end result is 4 cells that have half of the number of chromosomes that the parent cell had. In mitosis forms somatic cells which can help to make the body grow and heal. Meiosis forms reproductive cells like sperm and egg cells. Even with these differences the process is basically still the same.

In mitosis the phase are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokenisis. In meiosis the phases are prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I, prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, telophase II and lastly gamete. The steps are all the same except that in meiosis the steps happen twice so they form 4 cells instead of only 2 like in mitosis.

what we did in class 1/18/10

This week in class we further discussed the process of mitosis. We learned each step more thoroughly. The first step is prophase. In this step the DNA starts to coil and makes chromosomes. Also proteins in the cells start to make spindle fibers and the nuclear membrane around the cell disintegrates. The next step is metaphase where the chromosomes line up in the center of the cell. The next step is anaphase. In anaphase the spindles pull each chromatid to opposite poles in the cell. The final stage is telephase where two nuclei star to form in the cell. Then the cell seperates into two identical cells in the process of cytokinesis.

The other process in which the cell grows through is called interphase. Interphase is anytime in the cell other than mitosis. This is the time the DNA replicates and the cell gets ready to preform mitosis.

what we did in class 1/10/10

This week in class we have been leaning about cellular reproduction. We have been learning about how cells reproduce by splitting themselves. But when things split they only have half of what they used to. But cells right before they split they copy all of the organelles and a nucleus. then they split so now when they split they will have everything they need. This process it called mitosis.

Mitosis is the process that i was just talking about. There are 5 stages of mitosis and they are called interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Each of these phases lead to the splitting of cells. In interphase the DNA has copied not enough to make a chromosome. Prophase is when the DNA is made into chromosomes. In metaphase the chromosomes align themselves in the cell. Anaphase is when the chromosomes start to separate in order to split. Telephase is the last stage and is when the cell finally starts to split.

what we did in class this week 12/18/09

This week in class we discussed cells and their functions. In class we made a chart of each structure and their function. Also this week we have been refreashing on photosynthesis, respiration, fermantation and protein synthesis. We have been reading from a science book to refresh our knowledge on these topics. We have a project coming up on the subject. your have to teach Mr. Finley about one of these topics. I'm doing a jeopardy game on photosynthesis as my project that includes a little bit about respiration. We also have a test coming up so we reviewed for the test which is on monday.