Genetics

What is the difference between a DNA virus and a RNA virus structurally apart from having a different genetic bases?

I've read from various sources that generally speaking, eukaryotes have monocistronic DNA. It codes for one protein. Bacteria/prokaryotes on the other hand, have polycistronic DNA. They can produce an mRNA strand which codes for multiple proteins. Yet I've read a few articles in New Scientist saying that the average amount of protein products from a single eukaryotic gene is somewhere between 5 and 6. I know that splicing exists in eukaryotic genomes; but wouldn't this mean that the DNA is polycistronic? Can anyone help me understand this?

DNA is read 5' to 3'. But when the mRNA is being synthesized by the RNA polymerase- is the mRNA created 3' first or 5' first? e.g. Imagine that below is the double-stranded DNA. The gene needed to be transcribed is in bold. 5'-AGTGGGCCG-3' 3'-TCACCCGGC-5' So the DNA is now unwound by a helicase, and all the transcription factors are bound, etc. Below is the template DNA strand (with the gene required) in black, and the new mRNA in red. But which way does it go? 5'-AGTGGGCCG-3' 5'-UCACC>>>> I'd imagine something like this. But can the mRNA (red) align with the template DNA both in the same direction? Can anyone hel…

Hey. I was looking for a genetic manipulation 'kit'. I've heard of them, but cannot find a supplier. I thought since there was an entire subject area on Genetic Manipulation this would be the place to get some information on it. I'm looking to manipulate an ornamental plant species so it can grow faster. It's a beautiful plant for doing topiary with. I currently own a landscape company with the winters off. So I thought this would be something to keep me busy throughout it. Thanks again! -Chris

Hello, I am using E8F and E533R primers to amplify 16S rRNA genes from soil bacteria samples and observed a broad range of amplicons from 63 to 663bp. Using the same set of primers and PCR conditions, the same set of samples were amplified and ligated for cloning and yet the clone inserts ranged from 113 to 800bp. Does anyone have similar experiences? What do you think this difference in range is due to? Isn't these set of primers supposed to prime only about 500bp of the 16S rRNA gene? Why is the range much shorter and longer than expected? Looking forward to hearing from your experiences. Thank you.

I am a new student to the world of genetics. Is there anything wrong with what I have written below? Variation within the genepool exists; giving a species the ability to adapt to its environment. For example most known birds have beaks of various shapes and sizes. The exact shape and size is determined by the alleles contained within a species' genotype. If a smaller, longer, beak is more beneficial to a certain species, within a certain environment, then this phenotype has the potential to become the favorable heritable trait. Note: Go easy on me. As I said before, I am very new to this area of science.

I got this paper from an creationist friend, he says this is the ultimate proof that evolution in a darwinian way impossible is. http://download229.mediafire.com/mnvwu4ljxxdg/tmd2zzzhmei/genetic_redundancy.pdf I'm no biochemist or evolutionary biologist, but does he have a point or not?

I'm a highschool student, and was wanting to do an advanced-level bacteriology project pretty similar to the one AP Bio students work where E. coli is genetically modified to be ampicillin resistant using the enzyme EcoRI. My twist on it was that I would like to do an experiment implimenting the gene for bioluminescence (taken from a species of firefly) into either Staphyloccus aureus or E. coli. The reason why I picked these bacteria strains is because of availability (they exist very commonly). As far as materials, I have two campus laboratories I can use and may be able to use the local college biolabs. I can also arrange to get blood agar plates for culturing …

... or at least that's what one individual claimed on a forum. This individual explained that the number of human races is objectively quantified by using "Bayesian K-means clustering and determining the correct K by inferring the second order rate of change in the log probability of data between successive K values. The correct K seems to be 7 which also matches the phylogeographic criteria for race perfectly. Europeans, surprisingly, form a distinct race." Unfortunately I lack qualifications in the field of mathemathics to verify these claims, so I need opinions of others on this. Merged post follows: Consecutive posts merged I don't know if this helps or …

Would it be Theoreticallypossible to obtain some Dino DNA and use that to artificially inseminate a crocodile or something similar to produce a hybid species that would have some dinosaur characteristics in it? If that is possible could we not then use more of the origional DNA to make the hybrid pregnant so that the new offspring becomes more like the dino? could we keep doing this untill we produce something that would very closely resemble the origional thing? Any thoughts on this are greatly welcomed thankyou :0)

I have a question on the genetics of size. I'll use dogs, since it's a good example since they vary greatly in size. Okay, try not to laugh when reading this question: If a 2-pound male chihuahua fathered puppies with a 200-pound female mastiff, about how big will the offspring be when full grown? Will they be closer to the midpoint (~101 lbs.), or would they be closer to the geometric average (~20 lbs.)? Are there dominant/recessive genes that control size?

Hi all, Long time ago I studied about telomerase and its ability to regenerate telomeres after cellular division. As far as I remember, this happened with cancer cells. I'd like to know if it would be possible to study the inhibition of telomerase as a way of combating cancer. Any information I could check about this? Thank you all

A cloned Pig in china gave birth to 11 piggies and two of them glow in the dark!!! If they grow cloned organs will those glow in the dark to? Will cloned meat or organs me any good? Check this out! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22563650/

You come from a family of 6 children consisting of 3 boys and 3 girls. You plan on having 6 children. Assuming you do that what is the probability that you will also have 3 girls and 3 boys.

I am not clear as to what a back cross is, can someone please show me an example. I know that you cross a F1 offspring with its parent, but what is a backcross trying to prove?

How are things like pigments and hormones passed on to the next generation? Since pigments arent proteins and cant be coded for in the DNA

n-Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride is a mutagenic agent.

This is very interesting use the link to get to the article: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16029-dna-strands-become-fibre-optic-cables.html

What determines which nitrogen bases form pairs in DNA?

Hi folks, In a cool MIT lecture (Genetics 2), Eric Lander says the following (quote from the transcription): Good question. He then goes on to describe the Morgan lab results about eye colour being linked to sex. Then he says: I don't quite get this. It's still just a correlation, right? If you asked before "hey perhaps sex (caused by some unknown factor F) affects the chromosomes after fertilization?" then you can now ask "hey perhaps factor F affects the chromosomes AND consequently the eyecolour they determine, after fertilization?". I'm obviously not really disputing the chromosome->trait causality. This is about the historical methodology…

I was surprised to know that it's not a biologist but an astronomer - George Gamow - in 1954 proposed the three letter word to pick aminoacids during protein synthesis. I am curious to know what might be the logic behind this proposal which was proved to be right later. I am a high school student. Please enlighten me.

this may be out of place but i need help on find a plant that would survive in the harsh Martian environment. lets just say that we have already made it so that the atmospheric pressure is almost the same as earths. also if this is in the wrong area please direct me to the right area.

I have done an experiment with restriction enzymes, single and double and triple digestions. I have the size of all the fragments in base pairs, how do I locate the restriction sites? many many many thanks to anyone who can help!!

The recessive mutations cinnebar (cn - bright red eyes), curved (c - wings curve up) and plexus (px - extra wing veins) are all located on the 2nd chromosome of Drosophila. From a cross of cn c px/+++ females and cn c px males progeny with the following phenotypes are obtained: cn c px 296 + + + 329 cn c + 63 + + px 82 cn + + 119 + c px 86 cn + px 10 + c + 15 What is the gene order? and What is the frequency of recombination between cn and c?

This question is in no way rhetorical or implying that things should be going faster. I'm simply curious what barriers in biology that people have yet to overcome in order to understand biology. Of course, it's a vague question, so I'll elaborate. The latest I've seen in genetic research was epigenetics or gene expression. So, why does it take so long to map epigenetic outcomes? If we know how elements and molecules react from chemistry, can't we just link an epegenetic expression to it's outcome? That is all I can think of that is not related to genetics or epigenetics. Here's a list of all the genetic/epigenetic related things (or at least, I think they are …