Gene Journey - Overview
This page gives you a brief introduction to the five sections of Gene Journey.
It is a regularly updated online resource which has an extensive video clip library aimed at stimulating debate on a wide range of issues around genetics, ethics and society. Gene Journey also includes clear animations and innovative interactive tasks.
To help you decide if you would like to subscribe to Gene Journey, a free 14 day trial is available.
Gene Journey is designed for the very wide range of students who study genetics at school, college and university. National Qualification Framework (NQF) Levels are used in Gene Journey: Level 2 for qualifications usually taken by 14 to 16 year olds, Level 3 for qualifications normally taken by 16 to 19 year olds and Levels 4-6 for undergraduate courses.
Mitosis and Meiosis
Clear, simple animations are used to explain the processes of mitosis and meiosis. The content includes multiple choice quizzes and interactive games.
Cell Cycle, Mitosis, Chromosomes, Genes, Homozygous, Heterozygous, Homologous Chromosomes, Meiosis, Genetic Variation, Sexual Reproduction, Gametogenesis.
Comparison of Normal & Abnormal Cell Division
A series of animations show normal mitosis and meiosis, as well as demonstrating ways in which errors can occur in these processes. These errors can lead to genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome.
Mitosis, Meiosis, Non-disjunction in mitosis and meiosis, Trisomy (a cause of Down Syndrome)
Video Viewpoints 1
Video clips of
people affected by genetic conditions.
Dominant alleles, ethical and social issues of embryo screening, amniocentesis, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Down Syndrome
Video Viewpoints 2
Interviews with
people whose work involves genetics.
Dominant and recessive alleles, inherited blood disorders, sickle-cell disease, thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis, gene therapy, Huntingdon's Chorea, Down, Edward and Patau Syndromes, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, cancer genetics, Human Genome Project, promoters and enhancers, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Virtual Cytogenetics Laboratory
This innovative interactive task gives a feel for the workings of a real cytogenetics laboratory and demonstrates the steps involved in analysing a sample of amniotic fluid.
Ethical and social issues of prenatal diagnosis, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA replication, chromosome analysis.
Chromosome Challenge
In this fun interactive task no previous experience of karyotype identification is required. The challenge is to correctly identify all the chromosomes using the feedback score and a reference karyotype.
Homologous Chromosomes, Karyotype, Sex Chromosomes.