Module 5 Cell Division

The concept organizer below shows the relationship between the cell cycle, patterns of inheritance, and molecular genetics. A properly functioning cell cycle is needed for DNA to be properly duplicated and divided into new cells for the next generation. This generation will express traits based on logical patterns of inheritance that can be understood by careful observation and recording. These traits are a result of the proper creation of proteins from the genes found on DNA.

The chart below organizes the main ideas of each module. You may wish to create your own chart by using the following chart as a starting point and adding much more detail as you go through this unit.

Module Descriptions

Module 5: Cell Division—The Processes of Mitosis and Meiosis

Scratch your arm or cut your finger and you will be glad to see your skin heal over the wound. What would happen if that re-growth did not stop? How do our cells know when to live, or die, or replace themselves? This module will explore the cell life cycle, the production of somatic cells, the formation of gametes, and the reproductive strategies of various species. This module will also look at how scientists use their understanding of the cell cycle to combat cancer and aging.

The following questions will be explored:

• Is there a life cycle clock common to all organisms?
• What are the different ways cells reproduce?
• What are the purposes of reproduction?
• What are the sources of variation or consistency in cell division?

Module 6: Mendelian Genetics—the transmission of traits to the next generation

Should you look like your parents? This is one of the questions that will be discussed in this section. Genetics is a complex topic, and this section will explain the fundamentals of inheritance. Here, you will examine how simple traits are passed from one generation to the next. You will explore the patterns of inheritance that can be traced and predicted.

The following questions will be explored:

• How are traits passed-on from generation to generation?
• What controls an organism’s physical appearance?
• Are all genes the same?
• Does the inheritance of traits always happen the same way?
• Can technology change the inheritance of traits?

Module 7: Molecular Genetics—DNA, RNA and protein synthesis

Unraveling the code of life was one of the greatest discoveries of the past century. This section will explore how traits are coded for by genes that are carried in our DNA, and how these genes are expressed as proteins. This section will also look at how scientists can manipulate these genes or transfer them from one organism to another, resulting in variations never before possible.

The following questions will be explored:

• How does DNA carry the genetic code?
• How does DNA direct the synthesis of proteins?
• What changes in the genetic code result in mutations and variations?
• How much of my genetic code is uniquely mine?  Do I share any part of my DNA code with my relatives?