Almost everyone has heard of Gregor Mendel and his infamous pea plants. However, fear not if you have not—we’ve got you covered. However, when it comes to the chromosomal basis of inheritance, there were several individuals at play, in addition to Mendel. Though we tend to follow diagrams like Punnett square to predict genotypes of […]
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We always talk about our outward characteristics such as hair color, eye color, height, weight, and skin tone, as things that we have inherited from our parents or that we take after from some member of our family. However, very few of us actually know the process of how those unique characteristics that make us […]
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Expectant mothers have so many questions about the future characteristics of their kids. After all, approximately nine months is a really long time to wait to find out the gender of the baby as well as all the other characteristics. Wouldn’t it be nice to know ahead of time so that one can plan ahead? […]
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By now, most of us are aware of things in our body like red blood cells and chromosomes. But what about DNA? What are DNA sequences, daughter cells, the genetic code, mutations, and cell division? Where exactly is DNA in the cell? In this article, we will fill you in on everything you need to […]
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If you find the concept of DNA and DNA confusing, you are not alone. In fact, many people would agree with you. Not only do the two sound a lot alike, but they are also both made up of nucleic acid, one of the few macromolecules that are vital for life on Earth. The first […]
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You are probably surprised to hear that siblings—even twins—can have different DNA test results on ancestry tests. Like with genes, many people would think that their ancestry and living relatives would all have very similar—if not the same—DNA results. For example, you and your siblings get a DNA kit through the mail for DNA or […]
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Did you know that the DNA molecule is sweet? It sure is. The double helix that contains the most important information in human biology is actually in part made up of sugar. How sweet is that? However, before we get into the sweeter things, let us first cover some biology. The DNA molecule contains genes […]
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Before we get into the top questions that are asked in regard to prenatal DNA testing, let’s first get a bit into what the testing is about. The word prenatal literally means “before birth; during or relating to pregnancy.” In other words, prenatal DNA testing refers to testing that takes place at any of those […]
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This question will have different answers depending on whom you ask. Given the rapid expansion of genetics and genetic testing that ushered a better understanding of the fact that almost everything is genetic, it comes as no surprise that this concept has transgressed into nutrition. You may have heard of personalized medicine—designing drugs based on […]
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Most of you have heard of the three-letter acronyms at one point or another. Some of you may even know what they refer to. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has often been mentioned in association with the concept of being the “blueprint” for life. In some ways it is, and we will get to that in a […]
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