MEMBER PROFILE
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Guide to a Eukaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles, compartments that serve different cellular functions. All eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and ribosomes. Here's our tiny tour around...Published on September 25, 2009 to Genetics
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Cloning Human Embryos: Possibilities and Controversies
To clone a human embryo is to produce another embryo with identical genetic makeup. This process has huge potential: scientists can turn stem cells harvested from cloned embryos into any other kind of cell. But is it moral to create an embryo for...Published on September 15, 2009 to Genetics
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Are There Genes for Gender Identity?
The classic nature-versus-nurture debate is especially pronounced in questions of gender identity. Is it a product of culture, as many feminists argue, or of genetic makeup?Published on September 9, 2009 to Genetics
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The Genetics Behind Blonde Hair
Hair color is based on the amount of melanin, or pigmentation, present in the hair. Two types of melanin affect hair color: eumelanin (which can be black or brown) and phaeomelanin. The amount of each type of melanin depends on the expression...Published on September 4, 2009 to Genetics
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Profile of Barbara McClintock
Barbara McClintock (1902-1992), who focused on maize genetics, studied the transposition of genes on chromosomes during breeding. McClintock won awards throughout her career, culminating in the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Her insights...Published on September 3, 2009 to Genetics
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The Genetics of Albinism in People
People with albinism have hypopigmentation in their hair, skin, or eyes. What causes it? Genetic mutations that affect production of the pigment melanin. Albinism takes a number of phenotypic forms, each tied to a different type of genetic mutation...Published on September 3, 2009 to Genetics