Heredity Part 2 & Introduction to Macromolecules

    In this lesson we have two tasks:  1) to finish the heredity material; and 2) to begin to learn about the molecules that build our cells.

    There are three web pages concerning the remaining heredity material.  First, you will need to learn about Punnett squares (how to use them and why).   Then, you will learn about test crosses-- although you will do that mostly in class.  Finally, we will also be talking a little bit about sex-linked inheritance, since it is important in understanding inheritance of some forms of muscular dystrophy.  Although we will be finished with the genetics material for this class, we will NOT have finished the chapter in your book; we are stopping before dihybrid crosses.  If you continue on with Principles of Biology II (BIOL202), you will finish this genetics chapter and learn about population genetics, too.

    Then we move on to the macromolecule chapter.  We'll discuss the cell theory so that you can begin to understand what cells are and why they are important.  Then, it will be your task to begin to learn about the molecules that build cells.  This is a tricky task.  Not tricky because it is difficult to read and study about the molecules that build cells, but tricky because it is hard to really understand what these molecules are.  Therefore, we will only be able to begin to learn about these molecules this week.  The next lesson, lesson 4, will focus on them in detail.

Ready?

© 2006 STCC Foundation Press, content by Dawn A. Tamarkin, Ph.D.

Last changed: January 21, 2007