DEAR TEACHER:.Last summer, the completion of the first phase Of the Human Genome The human genome is the genome of Homo sapiens, which is composed of 24 distinct pairs of chromosomes (22 autosomal + X + Y) with a total of approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs containing an estimated 20,000–25,000 genes. Project grabbed world headlines. But what does the news mean to your students' lives? Plenty, and our "Genome Q&A" should prove a valuable supplement to lessons on genetics and DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. . And last summer, parts of the U.S. were also struck by drought. Our feature "All Dried Up" should whet student interest in weather cycles and the causes of drought. In "Listening to Bats," we show how biologists are using high-tech computers to identify bat species and learn more about the amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. mammal. Any ideas on how we can serve you better? Let us know! --The Editors e-mail: scienceworld @scholastic.com ANSWERS CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING, p. TE4 Listening to Bats 1. a computer 2. ultrasonic 3. hunt, navigate 4. Dolphins, Whales, Birds 5. voice Your Body Manual: The Human Genome 1. True 2. False. Genes do determine appearance, but also what diseases you may be susceptible to and may influence personality traits. 3. False. Sometimes many genes work together to perform a single body process. 4. False. There are 3.15 billion base pairs in one unit of DNA. 5. True. All Dried Up 1. 0.2 millimeters (.008 inch) per year 2. La Nina La Niña n. A cooling of the ocean surface off the western coast of South America, occurring periodically every 4 to 12 years and affecting Pacific and other weather patterns. 3. Global warming global warming, the gradual increase of the temperature of the earth's lower atmosphere as a result of the increase in greenhouse gases since the Industrial Revolution. 4. Dust Bowl 5. megadrought Vocabulary Builder, p. TE6 1. inherit 2. genome 3. chimpanzees 4. nucleus 5. proteins 6. nucleotides 7. embryos 8. mutation 9. chromosomes 10. therapy Bonus: hemophilia hemophilia (hē'məfĭl`ēə,–fēl`yə), genetic disease in which the clotting ability of the blood is impaired and excessive bleeding results. SCIENCE IN THE NEWS QUIZ, p. TE7 1.a 2.d 3.d 4.a 5.c 6.b 7.d 8.c 9.b 10.a |
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