![]() Lastly, nucleic acids carry genetic information about a living organism. Carbohydrates are composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms that can be broken down to supply energy for an organism. When lipids are chained together, they form more-complex molecules called fats and triglycerides. The structure of lipids can be described as having a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail (Figure 3.1). Proteins are strings of amino acids that are often folded into complex 3-D shapes. Organisms are composed of four basic types of molecules that are essential for cell structure and function: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. CELLS AND MOLECULES Molecules of Life Figure 3.1 Phospholipid molecules forming a bilayer with their hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads. Understanding the science behind this remarkable field means you will be able to participate in bioethical and anthropological discussions as well as make more informed decisions regarding genetic testing. A few advanced genetics topics are also presented because biotechnology is now commonplace in health and society. This chapter provides the basics for understanding human variation and how the evolutionary process works. ![]() If you wish to be part of this dynamic field, then take advantage of available campus laboratory classes and internships and also never stop reading scientific papers. Molecular anthropologists must also stay current with advancing technology (you will learn about the results of some of this genomic research as it has been applied to fossils in Chapters 11 and 12). As you learned in Chapter 1, molecular anthropologists use genetics to compare ancient and modern populations as well as study nonhuman primates. To process “big data,” some scientists have moved to working on a computer full time doing computational biology. Researchers now address these complex questions on a large scale. Since the release of the first human genome sequence, the field of genetics has grown into genomics. Anthropologists often include these molecules in their studies to identify how humans vary if there are meaningful differences, they propose theories to explain them. For instance, we are composed of cells, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. In addition to my genetics major, I signed up for biological anthropology classes and soon learned that anthropology could bring all those molecular lessons to life. However, upon taking an actual class, I discovered that genetics was challenging. I initially declared a genetics major because I thought it sounded cool. I started my Bachelor’s degree in 2003, which was the same year the Human Genome Project released its first draft sequence. Discuss challenges to and bioethical concerns of genetic testing.Explain complexities surrounding patterns of genetic inheritance and polygenic traits.Use principles of Mendelian inheritance to predict genotypes and phenotypes of future generations.Outline the process of protein synthesis including transcription and translation.Identify key differences between mitosis and meiosis.Explain and identify the purpose of both DNA replication and the cell cycle.Define terms useful to molecular biology and genetics.
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