Factual knowledge

1. Please describe, briefly, one new piece of factual knowledge that you acquired or developed so far in the BIOL463.

I have learnt the meaning of the term “morphogene”.  This term describes a                          substance that is diffusable,  and is invovled in patterning in a concentration                       dependent manner. This substance eventually affects structure formation during                 development.

2. Please describe how you know that you have acquired or developed this piece of factual knowledge, and provide some evidence for it.

        Because I can apply the term to other substances  involved in development, such as         bicoid which is a morphogene.

 Conceptual knowledge

1. Please describe, briefly, one new piece of conceptual knowledge that you acquired or developed so far in BIOL463.

I have learnt a great deal about maternal effect genes. This concept explains how               the mother’s genotype can determine the offsprings phenotype by inserting                         RNA/proteins into the egg. RNA molecules can be anchored to the cell wall                        and cause a concentration gradient in the egg. This  gradient will help the                            embryo to form an axis and activate other genes.

2. Please describe how you know that you have acquired or developed this piece of conceptual knowledge, and provide some evidence for it.

   I could explain it to someone who had no knowledge of biology!

 Skills

1. Please describe, briefly, one skill that you acquired or developed/are developing so far in BIOL463.

Now I can figure out the gene pathways (upstream/downstream) based on data from          the phenotype of double mutants. The gene that is more downstream in the pathway          causes the phenotype that is seen

2. Please describe how you know that you have acquired or developed this skill, and provide some evidence for it.

Because I was able to go through the dorsalized/ ventrilized pathway in drosophilla             again on my own! (from week 4)

What is factual knowledge useful for?

1.Think about a piece of factual knowledge that you developed/acquired. Briefly describe what you think it is useful for.

             I think factual knowledge is useful to understand what everyone else is talking                    about. For   example, knowing that usually a gene’s name comes from the                          phenotype of the mutant, can be very helpful when reading articles/information                    about genes that are newly found or ones that I have no knowledge about.