Blog Archives
How Epigenetics Works
Neil deGrasse Tyson presents this short PBS NOVA overview of how epigenetics determines the differences between gene expressions in identical twins, how epigenetic variations build up over time and how it affects us. A relatively new, but very interesting field of medicine and genetics, this is a good introduction.
Epigenetics is not directly mentioned in our syllabus, but does help us to connect the ideas of nature vs nurture, genetic variation and inheritance. To what extent does the nurture of our cellular environment (lifestyle) affect the genetic nature of who we are?
For some more really good resources on epigenetics, visit the brilliant Learn.Genetics site from Utah.
Thanks to Ed Yong for posting this on his weekly links roundup.
Holiday Post:The Science of Big Waves
I’m off on holiday for a few weeks, so here is a cool video to keep you busy: The Science of Big Wave Surfing, about Mavericks. Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll get to paddle into some little Bali beach waves this week!
This video comes from the YouTube channel of KQEDOnDemand, which is a public media service for northern California (kind of like PBS). Anyway, they have a good Science channel, as well as Education and other topics, so have a look.
BIS Students: don’t forget your holiday task here. Due on the first day back.
See you in August!
Scientific American Frontiers
Thanks to bogstandardcomp from the TES Forums for this one.
Click Here
PBS have a series on their archives called Scientific American Frontiers. Although the last episode posted there was a couple of years ago, they have full episodes online and allow easy navigation within clips. There are also teaching resources and notes to go along with each one.
For some highlights have a look at:
– Make Up Your Mind (brain development and neuroscience)
– Hot Planet, Cold Comfort (climate change)
– Going Deep (ALVIN and deep-sea exploration)
– The Gene Hunters (Genetics and a few good resources)
NOVA Life Science Resources
NOVA from pbs.org (Public Broadcasting Services) has a great library of animations and interactives on their site.
Topics include Evolution, Classification, Genetics, Ecology and Microbiology.
Many of the interactives can be saved using the downloader on Firefox.
i-Biology 