Inbred or Outbred? Genetic Diversity in Laboratory Rodent Colonies SUMMARY: This study looked at genetic diversity in lab gerbils. Due to the fact that labs are small, animal groups tend to become less diverse overtime; however, the overall diversity of the gerbils can be determined if you outbreed them. The significance of inbred or outbred… Continue reading Genetic Diversity in Laboratory Rodent Colonies
Tag: genomes
Sexual reproduction in parasitic protists
Sexual reproduction and genetic exchange in parasitic protists SUMMARY: Sexual reproduction is often murky in parasites because it’s difficult to observe. There are two other ways to determine if an organism has sex: differences in genomes and genes for meiosis. However, in parasites, there are exceptions to this rule in that some organisms may have… Continue reading Sexual reproduction in parasitic protists
Relationship between the flagellates and the ciliates
Relationship between the flagellates and the ciliates SUMMARY: This is an article comparing the structural and genomic differences between ciliates and flagellates. Dinoflagellates seem to be the ancestors of ciliates based on similarities in various cell structures and rRNA sequencing. Structures compared in this article include: mitochondria, mechanisms of cilia and flagella, nucleus, and how… Continue reading Relationship between the flagellates and the ciliates
The evolution of diatoms and their biogeochemical functions
The evolution of diatoms and their biogeochemical functions SUMMARY: This article talks about the evolution, cell structure, and ecological role of diatoms. The first section is an introduction to what diatoms are. The second section talks about the evolution of photosynthesis (from cyanobacteria to eukaryotes with chloroplast). The third section explains the significance of the… Continue reading The evolution of diatoms and their biogeochemical functions
Fungal biodegradation and enzymatic modification of lignin
Fungal biodegradation and enzymatic modification of lignin SUMMARY: This article is a summary breaking down and explaining the different types of ligninases found in white-rot and brown-rot fungi. Each section is a description of a particular type of ligninase and its specific function. LESSON COMMENTS: This is a great article if you’re teaching students about… Continue reading Fungal biodegradation and enzymatic modification of lignin
Rotifer Reproduction Mechanism
Genetic exchange among bdelloid rotifers is more likely due to horizontal gene transfer than to meiotic sex SUMMARY: This study looked at the conclusion drawn by another study that said bdelloid rotifers used a type of meiosis similar to that found in a genus of plants called Oenothera [1]. Five hundred seventy-six rotifers of the… Continue reading Rotifer Reproduction Mechanism