Genetics

Genetics is a branch of biology concerned with the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms. Gregor Mendel, a scientist and Augustinian friar, discovered genetics in the late 19th-century. Mendel studied “trait inheritance”, patterns in the way traits are handed down from parents to offspring.

Evolution

Process that results in heritable changes in a population spread over many generations (change in allele frequencies over time) leading to diversity of organisms on earth. It is the genetic change in a population or species over generations (Genes mutate, individuals are selected, and populations evolve).

Darwins finches

Divergent Evolution: Evolutionary pattern in which two species gradually become increasingly different. This type of evolution often occurs when closely related species diversify to new habitats. On a large scale, divergent evolution is responsible for the creation of the current diversity of life on earth from the first living cells. On a smaller scale, it is responsible for the evolution of humans and apes from a common primate ancestor. Adaptive radiation is one example of divergent evolution.

What is a Centrosome ?

The centrosome is the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) of eukaryotic animal cells. uIt consists of two centrioles that are at right angles with respect to one another and which are embedded in a mass of protein.

Located in close proximity to the nucleus, the centrosome is involved in the formation of the mitotic spindle fibers that separate the chromosomes during cell division. uCentrosomes are organelles which are not membrane bound, located near the nucleus and serve as a mitotic center in animal cell. uThe centrosome is also involved in creating and extending the microtubules that constitute the cytoskeleton.

Centrosome is a small region of a cytoplasm that produces microtubules in animal cells. uBefore an animal cell divides, the centrosome including the centrioles double and the two new centrosomes move to opposite ends of the cell.

Centriole

The centrosome contains a pair of centrioles which are a cylindrical array of nine triplet microtubules connected by special fibers. This pattern is commonly known as the 9 – 3 microtubule pattern. uSo, we see that centriole is a specialized type of microtubule.

Top View & 3-D View of a Centriole

Asexual Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction flowering plants