Monthly Archives: June 2020

Lecture 2.8: Hardy-Weinberg Overview Can we predict evolution? The answer is, maybe surprisingly, yes. Increasing numbers of researchers–including me–are working to predict the course of evolution in tumors under treatment. But can you tell if something is evolving? The answer … Continue reading →

Lecture 2.5: Exceptions to Mendelian Patterns Overview Traits that obey Mendel’s principles, which are quite creatively called Mendelian traits, are rare, which is one reason why Mendel had such a difficult time propagating his ideas during his lifetime. Here we … Continue reading →

Lecture 2.3: Independent Assortment Overview In the second half of Mendel’s seminal paper he begins to look at how multiple traits are passed together. He begins with the 2 simple seed traits–shape and color. His observations lead him to the … Continue reading →

Lecture 2.2: Mendel’s Principle of Segregation Overview In the previous lecture, we outlined Mendel’s observations. But if that’s all Mendel did, very few people would have ever heard of him, whereas today he is rightfully one of the most famous … Continue reading →

Lecture 2.1: Mendel’s Study Overview Our modern understanding of the nature of genetics began in an obscure garden in Moravia–an country that no longer exists–with an obscure monk who taught the equivalent of high school science. Here we look carefully … Continue reading →

Lecture 1.6: Cells and Chromosomes Overview NASA scientists and others designing experiments that look for life on other planets generally focus on the fact that life on Earth is cellular (in general). But there are two very different types of … Continue reading →

Lecture 1.5: Introduction to Metabolism Overview In the year 1976, two probes–comprising the Viking missions–landed on the surface of Mars. These were the first attempts to find life off the Earth. They carried a variety of experiments searching mainly for … Continue reading →

Lecture 1.4: Foundations of Life Overview Human beings are walking, talking biochemical reactors that can think. What are the biochemicals out of which we are made, and how did they arise on the early Earth? Activities Read Sections 2.4 and … Continue reading →