Mitosis, AKA the asexual reproduction of eukaryotic somatic cells, results in the production of daughter cells which are the genetic clones of the parental cell...Like gives rise to like. Meiosis, on the other hand , a form of sexual cell reproduction, gives rise to genetically variable gametes. In both cases, the most important molecule being passed to the daughter cells is DNA, clonal DNA during mitotic division and recombinant DNA during meiotic division.In eukaryotic cells, DNA is packaged and organized into discrete units called chromosomes. Human somatic cells contain 46 (2n=46) chromosomes and human gametes containing 23 s (n=23) chromosomes. The chromosomes carry our genes (genotype) which code for and direct the synthesis for proteins that, in turn, make up our phenotype (physical expressed observable traits). Putting it simply, genes make us who we are. Many human diseases, inherited genetic disorders and most cancers are caused by mutations that cause a gene to function improperly.In todays lab we will be examining, again, the relationship between DNA and our genes. We will also examine the role of mutation in cancer, namely on how mutation in CELL CYCLE genes can trigger cancer cell transformation: this was briefly addressed in a previous lab (Lab 9 Cell cycle and Cancer vidoe-Amoeba sisters). But first...

Discussions1This week we are focusing on a way to remember a term that we find difficult to remember. For example, there are several terms for the different types of fractures that can occur in the body. One example of a fracture is a greenstick fracture and this type of fracture is an incomplete fracture that occurs in children as their bones are more flexible than adults. One way to remember this is to think about the term green - we use it to imply that someone is new to something (such as green on the job). You can think of children as being new or green.What I would like you to do is to list a term that you find difficult and a trick that you use to remember this term.Discussions2This week, I would like you to focus again focus on a term that is difficult to remember. One example might be angina pectoris, the chest pain that is sometimes felt when blood flow to the heart muscle is restricted during a myocardial infarction. The term 'pectoris' looks similar to pectoral, which refers to the chest. The term 'angina' is slightly more difficult but it may be helpful to remember it as "Gina had chest pain" so that you use a familiar name, such as Gina, and apply it to this term. I hope this helps, please post your suggestions for remembering terms here.