From Gene to Function

The major actors of molecular biology: the nucleic acids, DNA and RNA.

• Hammerling's Acetabularia
• Hershey-Chase Blender Experiment
• Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
• Structure of DNA
• DNA Molecule - Two Views
• Possible Models for DNA Replication
• DNA Replicating Itself
• Collaboration of Proteins During Replication
• RNA and DNA
• RNA Synthesis and Processing
• Induction of the lac Operon
• Protein Synthesis
• The Genetic Code

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• Base Pair
• Base Pair - A More Detailed View
• Cloning from Adult Vertebrate Cells
• Codon
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
• DNA - A More Detailed View
• DNA Replication
• Exon
• Exon - A More Detailed View
• Intron
• Repressor Protein Switching Genes On and Off
• RNA - (ribonucleic acid)
• RNA - A More Detailed View
• Initiation of Transcription by RNA Polymerase
• mRNA (Messenger RNA)
• Control of the Human B-Globin Gene
• Regulatory Protein Coordinating Gene Expression
• Steps Leading from Gene to Protein
• Control of Gene Expression
• Importance of Combinatorial Gene Control

Building Blocks

Biochemistry:

• Covalent and Ionic Bonds
• Chemical Bonds and Groups Part 1
• Chemical Bonds and Groups Part 2
• Chemical Properties of Water Part 1
• Chemical Properties of Water Part 2
• Enzyme
• Families of Small Organic Molecules
• Types of Weak Non-covalent Bonds Part 1
• Types of Weak Non-covalent Bonds Part 2
• Macromolecules in Cells
• Molecules Drawn to Scale
• Binding Site of a Protein
• Outline of Sugar Types Found in Cells Part 1
• Outline of Sugar Types Found in Cells Part 2
• Fatty Acids and other Lipids Part 1
• Fatty Acids and other Lipids Part 2
• Amino Acid
• Amino Acids found in Proteins Part 1
• Amino Acids found in Proteins Part 2
• Nucleotide
• Nucleotide - A More Detailed View
• Survey of Nucleotides Part 1
• Survey of Nucleotides Part 2
• Protein
• Protein Structure

Cells:

• Blastocyst
• Cell
• Internal Membranes and Cytosol
• Nucleus
• Relative Sizes of Cells and their Components
• Ribosomes

Tissues:

• Mammalian Differentiated Cell Types Part 1
• Mammalian Differentiated Cell Types Part 2
• Plant Cells and Tissues Part 1
• Plant Cells and Tissues Part 2

Chromosomes and Cell Division

• Comparative Scale of Mapping
• Human Chromosomes
• Nucleosome
• Genes
• Mutation of Chromosomes
• Mitosis
• Mitosis: labeled diagram
• Meiosis
• Comparison of meiosis and mitosis
• Sequences of Base Pairs Mapping
• Crossing-over and Recombination During Meiosis
• Levels of Chromatin Packing
• Chromosome
• Metaphase
• Mutations

Biological Engineering

From the existing techniques of DNA cloning to gene therapy: understanding the present and a look at the future of genetic engineering.

• Biotechnology - The Present and The Future
• Nucleic Acid Hybridization
• Restriction Enzyme: Action of EcoRI
• Inserting DNA into Plasmid
• Cloning into a plasmid
• Transfer and Cloning of the Insulin Gene
• Cloning into a YAC
• Monoclonal Antibody Production
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Transgenic Mice

• Cell Breakage and Fractionation Part 1
• Cell Breakage and Fractionation Part 2
• Cytogenetic Map
• FISH - fluorescence in situ hybridization
• Means of Protein Separation
• Microarray Technology
• Microdissection
• SKY (spectral karyotype)
• Southern Blotting: Gel Transfer
• Construction of a Human Genomic Library
• Use of PCR in Forensic Science

Genetics

From Mendel to hemophilia: introduction to the major principles of heredity. biological inheritance influences what and who we are.

• Mendel: Experiment 1
• Recessive and Dominant Inheritance
• Sex Linked Inheritance: Drosophilia
• X-linked inheritance: Hemophilia

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• Autosome
• Demo that DNA is Genetic Material
• Gene
• Gene - A More Detailed View
• Haploid, Diploid Cycle
• Deletion
• Duplication
• Insertion
• Pedigree
• Polydactyly
• Sex Chromosomes
• Translocation

Viruses

Genetic messengers surrounded by a protein coat.

• Examples of Viruses
• Influenza A Virus Replication
• Diagram of a Retrovirus
• Retrovirus Replication
• Overlapping Protein Codes

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• Adenovirus
• Life Cycle of a Bacteriophage
• Life Cycle of a Retrovirus
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Cell Processes

Communication:

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• Forms of Cell Signaling
• Extracellular Signals

Energy:

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• A Simplified Diagram of Cell Metabolism
• An Outline of Glycolysis
• Details of the 10 Steps of Glycolysis - Part 1 (steps 1 - 5)
• Details of the 10 Steps of Glycolysis Part 2 (steps 6 - final result)
• Anaerobic Breakdown of Pyruvate
• A Simple Overview of the Citric Acid Cycle
• The Complete Citric Acid Cycle - Part 1 (overview and steps 1 and 2)
• The Complete Citric Acid Cycle Part 2 (steps 3 through 8)
• Glycolysis and Citric Acid Precursors
• Carbon-fixation Cycle
• Catabolic and Anabolic Pathways
• Interconversions of Energy
• Photosynthesis and Respiration
• Floating Ball Anologies for Enzyme Catalysis
• Interconversion of ATP and ADP
• Synthesis of Biological Polymers
• Cellular Oxidation vs. Burning of Sugar
• Production of Acetyl-CoA

Immunity:

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• Antibodies
• Antibody - Another View
• An Antibody Molecule
• Carbohydrade Recognition at Infection Site

Specialized Processes:

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• Propagation of an Action Potential
• Conversion of Signal: Electrical to Chemical
• Cytoskeleton Filaments
• Muscle Contraction: Sliding Filaments
• Myosin and Actin Model
• Cell Proliferation
• Collagen and Elastin

Transportation:

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• Exocytosis
• Functions of Plasma Membrane Proteins
• Import and Export
• Main Mechanism to Import Proteins
• Membrane Permeability
• Osmotic Swelling
• Passive and Active Transport