Genetics

Just 50 years ago, nobody knew that DNA is the molecule of heredity for all living things. Since then, DNA has taken the scientific world by storm and has even managed to make its way into our courtrooms, grocery stores and movie theaters. Journey into the world of DNA and genetics and discover how DNA works, what it looks like and why it is so important in our lives through the direct links on the Times Launch Point Web site: https://www.latimes.com/launchpoint/.

Here are the best sites for getting your schoolwork done or for just having fun.

Level 1

I Can Do That! The Fun Science Site: What do all living things have in common? They all contain DNA. Take an animated tour of the wild world of DNA and genetics. Learn why DNA is the code to all life, what it looks like, how it is made in cells and how researchers are using it to create new frontiers in science. https://www.eurekascience.com/ICanDoThat/

Genetics (Kids Style!): What does a cell look like? How did you get your 46 chromosomes? Let Professor Gene take you on an entertaining tour of genetics that will introduce you to such pioneers as Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian monk considered the father of genetics because of his studies of pea plants. https://tqjunior.advanced.org/3696/

Make Clones of Your Own: Plants are easily cloned through drafting or budding. Try this experiment in which you clone an African violet and compare how different environments affect plants with the same genes. https://tqjunior.advanced.org/6207/makecon.html

Level 2

DNA Is an Instructional Manual: Take a peek inside DNA, the sequence of chemicals that tells your body everything from what color your hair and eyes should be to how to build your brain. View animations illustrating how its four chemicals, called bases, are arranged to create a sequence. Learn how scientists are studying DNA sequences to help cure diseases. https://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/genome/

Life: A Study of Genetics and Molecular Biology: In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick determined that the structure of a DNA molecule is a double helix. Learn about chromosomes and cell division, the principles of heredity and the work of important geneticists. Try some games and use an online forum to ask questions and discuss issues regarding genetics. https://hyperion.advanced.org/20465/info.html

Find DNA in Your Kitchen: How do scientists separate DNA from other components of a cell? Learn about the parts of a cell and find out how you can extract DNA from an onion with basic kitchen ingredients and equipment. https://raven.umnh.utah.edu/new/projects/kitchenDNA.html

Level 3

The Gene School: Genetics has important applications and implications in our daily lives, ranging from genetically engineered plants that are more nutritious and disease-resistant to DNA evidence used to solve crimes. Learn about the basics of genetics as well as cloning, DNA fingerprinting and gene therapy. View a timeline of genetics discoveries and try some experiments, quizzes and games to test your knowledge. https://library.advanced.org/19037/

Mission: Drosophila: In this interactive game, you are a secret agent who must solve mysteries using your knowledge of genetics. Each mission is progressively more difficult, beginning with a parakeet caper and ending with your chance to engineer a new breed of flies. https://library.advanced.org/10231/

Designer Genes: How can Punnett squares be used to predict offspring ratios? What is so extraordinary about Dolly, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell? Learn more about genetics and bioengineering at this award-winning site created by high school students. https://library.advanced.org/18258/index2.htm

Launch Point is produced by the UC Irvine Department of Education, which reviews each site for appropriateness and quality. Even so, parents should supervise their children’s use of the Internet. This column was designed by Randy Hudson, Frances Lopez, Christy Vollmer and Anna Manring.

EXPLORER’S QUEST

The answer to this Internet quiz can be found in the sites at right.

If you were to stretch all your chromosomes in every cell end to end, how many times could you travel to the moon and back?

CLUE: See DNA Is an Instructional Manual

Find What You Need to Know: Have a project on California history? Need help doing a math problem? Launch Point now covers more than 100 topics for getting your schoolwork done. Go to https://www.latimes.com/launchpoint/ for the full list of subjects and direct links to the best Internet sites.

Answer to last week’s Quest: The ancient Hawaiian chieftains valued surfing because it developed strength and stamina--two qualities that gave them status.