Genetics.

Today in co-op we learned about genetics.

We built DNA molecules and talked about their structure.  We also discussed inheritance, cloning, forensics, and identical and conjoined twins.  

We drew X and Y chromosomes to find the gender of theoretical offspring, and also whether these children of two cystic fibrosis carriers were noncarriers, carriers themselves, or had the disease.

I did a power point about the BRCA1 gene and how it has affected my family.

The human genome.  The error in our case occurred ...

... in a single gene on chromosome 17 that codes for a protein that fights against hormonal cancers.

In our particular case, there is ONE extra cytosine ... one extra half-rung on the DNA ladder.  Here's an anaology to understand how it works:  The base pairs cytosine (C), guanine (G), adenine (A), and thiamine (T) are like letters; the letters form words; and the words form sentences.  The sentences tell our ribosomes how to build proteins.

  

Imagine that these instructions on how to build a protein are instructions on how to make a beaded necklace.  A sentence might say something like this ...

But, if you add one single extra letter (as we have one added cytosine on chromosome 17) to that sentence, even though all the rest of the letters are just as they should be, the sentence no longer makes sense.  The cell cannot read it, and instead synthesizes an inadequate cancer-fighting protein.

Unfortunately and unexpectedly, I got a bit choked up when talking about the effect it's had on my family, and on me personally.  The class period was cut short due to registration for next semester, so we will have to finish it (along with our nursing lesson) next time.

Max, making a mess with blueberries.

Gabe, showing me the puppets Joe made.

Broly turns into Super Saiyan III.

Well, that's it.  Tomorrow Gabe goes to the first meeting of his book club and presents his tangrams.  Goodnight!