© 2002 • 3–CD–ROM set
CD • $54.00 • ISBN  978-097105880-4

DNA from the Beginning (a 3–CD set) is a multimedia primer on the basics of DNA, genes, and heredity. It is an ideal teaching tool for high school students and will also interest adults with a non-technical background who wish to learn more about the impact that DNA science is having on our lives.

The content in DNA from the Beginning is built on a progressive series of important but simply stated concepts such as Children resemble their parents. An understanding of the concept is then conveyed in clear,understandable terms with the aid of links to animations, photographs, and video clips, and biographies or interviews featuring key scientists. A wealth of other information and links to web resources are included. Problems and their solutions are included to allow teaching through self-examination.

Based on the award-winning web site, the DNA from the BeginningCD–ROM set provides over 72 hours of study time. It runs on Macintosh computers and PCs, and gives immediate access to all the online content, in attractive, uncluttered screens, without the need for network connections.

A must for high schools and junior colleges in conjunction with biology classes.

Disc 1: Classical Genetics

Concept 1—Children resemble their parents.
(Gregor Mendel: introduction)

Concept 2—Genes come in pairs.
(Gregor Mendel: genetic alleles)

Concept 3—Genes don't blend.
(Gregor Mendel: inheritance)

Concept 4—Some genes are dominant.
(Gregor Mendel: dominance)

Concept 5—Genetic inheritance follows rules.
(Punnett squares)

Concept 6—Genes are real things.
(rediscovery of Mendel's laws)

Concept 7—All cells arise from pre–existing cells.
(mitosis)

Concept 8—Sex cells have one set of chromosomes; body cells have two.
(meiosis)

Concept 9—Specialized chromosomes determine gender.
(sex chromosomes)

Concept 10—Chromosomes carry genes.
(fruit fly genetics)

Concept 11—Genes get shuffled when chromosomes exchange pieces.
(genetic recombination)

Concept 12—Evolution begins with the inheritance of gene variations.
(early plant genetics, evolution)

Concept 13—Mendelian laws apply to human beings.
(sex–linked genes, early human genetics)

Concept 14—Mendelian genetics cannot fully explain human health and behavior.
(eugenics)

Disc 2: Molecules of Genetics

Concept 15—DNA and proteins are key molecules of the cell nucleus.
(DNA and amino acid discovery and structure)

Concept 16—One gene makes one protein.
(relating genes and protein function)

Concept 17—A gene is made of DNA.
(Oswald Avery: DNA as the transforming principle)

Concept 18—Bacteria and viruses have DNA too.
(conjugation, Hershey and Chase experiment)

Concept 19—The DNA molecule is shaped like a twisted ladder.
(Watson and Crick: 3–D structure of DNA)

Concept 20—A half DNA ladder is a template for copying the whole.
(DNA replication)

Concept 21—RNA is an intermediary between DNA and proteins.
(RNA transcription, translation)

Concept 22—DNA words are three letters long.
(genetic code, translation)

Concept 23—A gene is a discrete sequence of DNA nucleotides.
(DNA sequencing)

Concept 24—The RNA message is sometimes edited.
(RNA splicing, exons, introns)

Concept 25—Some viruses store genetic information in RNA.
(retroviruses, reverse transcriptase)

Concept 26—RNA was the first genetic molecule.
(RNA/DNA evolution)

Concept 27—Mutations are changes in genetic information.
(DNA mutations)

Concept 28—Some types of mutations are automatically repaired.
(DNA repair)

Disc 3: Genetic Organization and Control

Concept 29—DNA is packaged in a chromosome.
(DNA packaging, chromatin)

Concept 30—Higher cells incorporate an ancient chromosome.
(mitochondrial DNA)

Concept 31—Some DNA does not encode protein.
(non–coding, "junk" DNA)

Concept 32—Some DNA can jump.
(McClintock: "jumping" genes, transposons)

Concept 33—Genes can be turned on and off.
(lac operon, control of gene expression)

Concept 34—Genes can be moved between species.
(DNA transformation, insulin production in bacteria)

Concept 35—DNA responds to signals from outside the cell.
(cell signaling, interferon pathway)

Concept 36—Different genes are active in different kinds of cells.
(gene expression, gene chip and DNA array technology)

Concept 37—Master genes control basic body plans.
(fruit fly gene expression, development)

Concept 38—Development balances cell growth and death.
(cell cycle, cell death)

Concept 39—A genome is an entire set of genes.
(Human Genome Project)

Concept 40—Living things share common genes.
(DNA homology between species)

Concept 41—DNA is only the beginning for understanding the human genome.
(gene targeting, proteomics)