GENETICS - BASICS

The DNA molecule is best studied under the branch of GENETICS. In this learning playlist, we will explore the basic topics in genetics starting from its roots. These videos will help you understand how the foundations of Genetics were laid. You will get introduced to the remarkable laws put forth by Gregor Mendel, the Father of genetics. These laws will not only help you understand Genetics but also have several real-life applications! As you progress through the playlist you will also get introduced to the concept of chromosomes, genes and the DNA molecule and what these are made up of. These structures in the living cell literally define the characteristics of all living organisms on earth! Through these videos, you will learn how the molecule replicates, and the theories put forth to explain that. Lastly, you will have a look at what happens if there are errors while replicating the DNA molecule or in the complete chromosome! That is, you will be introduced to an interesting concept called “Mutations ”. Learn the basics of “GENETICS ” in this playlist!


https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmdFyQYShrjfLAV0_t4gXHuWyWXzTI2QB

STEM CELLS

Watch the video WHAT IS A STEM CELL?  and answer the following questions (WORKSHEET):

(NOTE: USE THE SUBTITLE OPTION FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING)

All stem cells share two basics characteristics.

1. : 
2. :

Watch this TED-ed video on STEM CELLS and answer the following questions:

(NOTE: USE THE SUBTITLE OPTION FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING)

A stem cell is…

1. A cell taken from an embryo that can become any kind of cell type in the body
2. A cell taken from your intestines that can become any kind of tissue in the body
3. A kind of cell that can only become other kinds of similar cells
4. Any kind of cell that is undifferentiated and can divide to make new cells

An undifferentiated cell is…

1. A kind of stem cell
2. A cell without characteristics specific to a kind of tissue
3. Another term for a tissue-specific stem cell
4. Another term for a pluripotent stem cell

Using stem cells to replace damaged bodily tissue is called…

1. Regenerative medicine
2. Cloning
3. Genetic engineering
4. Gene splicing

Stem cells can be classified in three categories..

1. :
2. :
3. :

Adult stem cells are…

1. Created from genetically-altered mature bodily cells
2. Created from embryos
3. Found in your body right now
4. All of the above

Pluripotent stem cells are different from tissue-specific adult stem cells in what way?

1. They are not available for use with humans
2. They cannot be used in treatments for adults
3. They can only become a few kinds of cells in the body
4. They can become any kind of cell type in the body

How are stem cells used to treat leukemia?


What other diseases might be treatable in this way?

What is the source of embryos used for embryonic stem cell research?


What would have been the outcome for these cells had they not been used for research?


How might induced pluripotent stem cells change 

How stem cell research is conducted?

DIG DEEPER

Follow this presentation and learn more about the origin of stem cells in our bodies
Activity
Transcribe the content of the presentation, including the most relevant images. After that, translate it into Spanish and, finally, try to present it yourself in Spanish using this screencast program

If you want to know more, please watch this award-winning documentary on stem cells.

IF YOU PREFER SOMETHING IN SPANISH TRY THIS WONDERFUL TVE PROGRAM ABOUT STEM CELLS: tres14-stemcells

Vocabulary:

General vocabulary

Odds: the probability that something is so or that it is more likely to occur than something else, expressed as a number.
Healthcare: the field or industry concerned with supplying services, equipment, and information related to maintaining and restoring physical and mental health.
Similarity: showing resemblance in qualities, characteristics, or appearance; alike but not identical
To research: to investigate or look into something carefully
To replace: to provide a substitute or equivalent for
To wear out (pp. worn-out): having no more energy or strength; exhausted.
To damage: to cause harm, injury, or destruction to
Disease: illness; sickness
Injury: harm, damage
To grow: to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; expand
Leftover: anything left or remaining from a larger amount.
To behave: to act or react in a particular way

Expressions

Such as...

Specific vocabulary:

Stem cells:

Zygote:
Embryo:
Differentiated / undifferentiated:

Leukemia:
Bone marrow:
Pluripotent:
Multipotent:

GRETA THUMBERG'S TED TALK 2019

The disarming case to act right now on climate change

https://www.ted.com/talks/greta_thunberg_the_disarming_case_to_act_right_now_on_climate/transcript

YOU CAN CHECK THE TRANSCRIPT HERE

• IDENTIFY AT LEAST 4 KEY POINTS OF THUMBER'S TALK

• GIVE YOUR CRITICAL OPINION ABOUT THEM. HERE YOU HAVE SOME USEFUL STRUCTURES TO SUPPORT YOUR IDEAS 

PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY

Basic principles of ecology
Genially in spanish 
https://view.genial.ly/5ea9a3cfb031cc0d780d457e/presentation-ecologia-4o-eso


Ecology key terms
Visit the previous link, read all the terms and play to some of the built-in games in order to remember them.
Then copy them in your notebook. 
Download and complete this worksheet using the information about Ecology that you will find here


INTERESTING TOPICS:

Biodiversity

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-is-biodiversity-so-important-kim-preshoff


Feedback loops in nature
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/feedback-loops-how-nature-gets-its-rhythms-anje-margriet-neutel

The carbon cycle
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-carbon-cycle-nathaniel-manning

A guide to the energy of the Earth
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-guide-to-the-energy-of-the-earth-joshua-m-sneideman
What would happen if every human suddenly disappeared?
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-would-happen-if-every-human-suddenly-disappeared-dan-kwartler

Re-thinking future: circular economy
https://ed.ted.com/best_of_web/2Yy019iv


DIG DEEPER
More contents about Ecology in this online book

INTERESTING THEMES TO EXPLORE BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

Research topics

1. Human skin colour
2. Massive extinctions (video)
3. Cambrian explosion (video)
4. Artificial evolution: the origin of corn
5. Speciation: the beak of the finch
6. Natural selection: the rock pocket mouse
7. Human evolution: lactase


Use those links to start a research in those different areas. Elaborate a presentation of 4-10 slides to explain the result of your investigation.

Evidence of Evolution

Go to this link and read about the facts that support evolutionism.
Then check your knowledge using this quiz.

Evolution is not just an idea, evolution is a reality and is occurring right now. Watch this video to see how evolution acts (interactive version of the video).

Download this summary of the evidence of evolution to revise this topic and copy it in your note book,

Mendelian inheritance - reading

Read this article from Scitable (Nature) about Mendelian Genetics.

Write down all the terms that you do not know and try to find the appropriate definition for each one in a monolingual dictionary (for example this one) or wikipedia.