Molecular Biology Primer: All About DNA

[Rich]

Molecular Biology Primer: All About DNA

This is a general page giving visitors an idea of how molecular biology works at a basic level. The page should be understandable by those without a background in biology, but accurate in the basic facts. Of concern is that the animations are useful and understandable in explaining the basic mechanisms. Suggested improvements or basic questions are welcome.

Thanks,
Rich Deem

[zoegirl]

Looks really nice!!

The only other thing I could think of to add would be a section on how this applies to our physiology, such as specific examples such as sickle cell anemia or other disorders or even just examples of the functions of the proteins.

Otherwise, good stuff!!

[Furstentum Liechtenstein]

I do not have a background in biology and am probably of average intelligence. If I am the type of person you are trying to reach, read on:

It wasn't easy reading for me; I understood the article but I had to plow through it, go back and re-read sections and figure out the animations.

My opinion: anyone interested in understanding what DNA is will take the time to read & understand.

FL

[Rich]

I do not have a background in biology and am probably of average intelligence. If I am the type of person you are trying to reach, read on:

It wasn't easy reading for me; I understood the article but I had to plow through it, go back and re-read sections and figure out the animations.

My opinion: anyone interested in understanding what DNA is will take the time to read & understand.

FL

Any suggestions for making it easier to understand? For example, where did you get stuck? Do you now understand better how DNA works?

[Furstentum Liechtenstein]

Sorry I took a while to respond...I was away.

I re-read All About DNA and here are my observations:

-I would prefer to see an individual diagram of the 4 nucleotide bases (AGTC) rather than the on-and-off flashing under the headings "Purines" and "Pyrimidine." This on-and-off stuff confused me: at first I thought it was showing the pairing of molecules, then I realised what was going on...

Read This:

A young human female - not in a state of wedlock - sat on a low wooden hassock, ingurgitating coagulated milk product and its serum. An arachnid alighted within the female's vicinity and elicited a strong stress response. The female subject rapidly self-translated to another location.

The whole section entitled Nucleotides and the section entitled DNA Structure were difficult for me to understand...there is just too much jargon (for me) and had you not specifically asked for our opinion, I would have stopped reading right there. Too complex. Easy to click away.

If you are trying to reach people like me, I humbly suggest you try to simplify the piece. Make it more like this:

Little Miss Muffet
Sat on her tuffet
Eating her curds and whey
Along came a spider
Sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away.

Thanks for hearing me out,

FL

[Rich]

Yes, the jargon thing is a problem. However, it is very difficult to write a description without using at least some jargon. I am sort of torn. The primary emphasis of the site is to provide evidence for non-believers. Although most will probably already know about the topics, many of the young atheists probably don't even know what they don't know. They need to get up-to-speed so that they can make a logical choice. They need to know the technical details as to why their "faith" is wrong. For those Christians who are serious about witnessing to secular rationalists, they need to get up-to-speed also. However, genetics is a small field that is useful only in witnessing to a handful of people, so the average believer will never have a use for the information. The great thing about the web is that they come to me!

[Furstentum Liechtenstein]

Okay...

For those Christians who are serious about witnessing to secular rationalists, they need to get up-to-speed also. However, genetics is a small field that is useful only in witnessing to a handful of people, so the average believer will never have a use for the information.

Then the piece - as it stands (but without the Purine-Pyrimidine flashing) - is probably alright...because the only people I witness to are criminals with little schooling; smart men all, but with little formal education.

I am not part of your intended audience.

FL

[Canuckster1127]

Okay...

For those Christians who are serious about witnessing to secular rationalists, they need to get up-to-speed also. However, genetics is a small field that is useful only in witnessing to a handful of people, so the average believer will never have a use for the information.

Then the piece - as it stands (but without the Purine-Pyrimidine flashing) - is probably alright...because the only people I witness to are criminals with little schooling; smart men all, but with little formal education.

I am not part of your intended audience.

FL

Maybe not, but you're very welcome never-the-less!!

[zoegirl]

Maybe you could provide a link to this video !!!! (you have to last through 4 minutes of lecture....it's worth the wait!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9dhO0iCLww

ONLY IN THE 70's!!


I don't know whether to be incredibly impressed with the integration of protein synthesis, dance, and the Jabberwocky or stunned with the strong impression of .....(ahem) mind altering substances!!