Links

Links

Understanding how genes are inherited is an increasingly important factor in understanding inherited diseases and disorders in humans. This knowledge may also lead to new therapies for treating or even curing many of these diseases. The links that follow provide information that will help you understand the basics of inheritance, including Mendel's experiments, the patterns of heredity, and some of the complexities of gene interactions.

1) How Did Gregor Mendel Lay the Foundation for Modern Genetics?

MendelWeb: Nearly everything you want to know about Mendel and his experiments can be found at this site. It contains a copy of his paper, which in many ways marked the beginnings of the modern science of genetics. One of the links at this site has wonderful, color photographs of the monastery in which Mendel studied pea plants.

2) How Are Single Traits Inherited?

The Garden Pea: This page offers an explanation of why Mendel chose to work with the garden pea plant, and it provides an overview of his experiments with the plant.

3) How Are Multiple Traits on Different Chromosomes Inherited?

The Human Genome: You can learn about some of the genes that have been studied on human chromosomes. As you select more detailed information, you can eventually learn the nucleotide sequence of the gene.

The Yeast Genome: Yeast is the only eukaryotic cell whose entire genome has been sequenced. At this site, you can view a diagram of all of the chromosomes in a yeast cell, with some of the genes shown. If you click on a chromosome, you can get a more detailed view of that chromosome, with more of the gene locations shown. If you click on a gene, you can get the nucleotide sequence of that gene.

4) How Are Genes Located on the Same Chromosome Inherited?

Genetic Recombination: Check out this site for a good description of recombination with some graphics. This page is part of a large site devoted to biotechnology issues. Click on the home page to see more choices for information.

5) How Is Sex Determined, and How Are Sex-linked Genes Inherited?

Chromosome Gallery: What do the X and Y chromosomes look like? Find out here. By clicking on the diagram called an idiogram, you can retrieve information about the genes on that region of the chromosome.

Human Genome Map: Want to know which genes are on your favorite chromosome? This site, up to date as of 1996, presents a summary of some genes on human chromosomes, including the X and Y chromosomes.

Y Chromosome: This Web site provides a wealth of resources related to the Y chromosome. Explore the links to learn about genes, genetics disorders, and more.

David Page: Dr. David Page's home page describes his research concerning sex determination.

Color Vision Research: This site focuses on the work of Jeremy Nathans, a major researcher into the molecular nature of color vision. This page is part of a larger site that deals with senses in general. The site is VERY graphics intensive; you may want to turn off the automatic loading of pictures to download the information faster.

Muscular Dystrophy: This page lists a comprehensive collection of sites related to muscular dystrophy. You can follow a link from here to the Muscular Dystrophy Association site. The home page of this site is called The Family Village and contains information about many conditions and diseases that affect humans.

6) What Are Some Variations on the Mendelian Rules of Inheritance?

Genes, Gender, and Genetic Disorders: This site from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, features researchers David Page and Barbara Meyer. It features a variety of stories related to sex determination in humans.

Blood Banks: This is an interesting site, containing information about blood donation and the kinds of tests that are carried out to try to keep our blood supply safe.

7) How Are Human Genetic Disorders Investigated?

Pedigree Construction: Although it is slightly technical, this is a comprehensive site with examples describing how human pedigrees are constructed and interpreted.

8) How Are Human Disorders Caused by Single Genes Inherited?

Sickle Cell Trait: This is the Family Village site for sickle cell trait. It provides a collection of links to many relevant sites for understanding the cause, symptoms, and treatment of sickle cell anemia.

Sickle Cell Disease: This site provides comprehensive information about sickle cell disease, presented by the March of Dimes Foundation.

Huntington's Disease: This well-designed site provides information about the history, symptoms, and genetics of Huntington's disease.

9) How Do Errors in Chromosome Number Affect Humans?

Chromosomal Abnormalities: This Family Village Web site covers a variety of disorders caused by abnormal numbers of chromosomes, including the sex chromosomes. See other sites for additional information about Turner Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome, and Down Syndrome.

Chapter 12: Patterns of Inheritance

Links