Learning outcomes
This Unit looks at how units if inheritance are transmitted from one generation to the next. First you will look at what happens to the chromosones of animals and plants during the process of sexual reproduciton. Then you will examine how genes are transmitted in particular patterns from generation to generation. These two approaches combine to illustrate how the patterns of inheritance can be explained by the behaviour of chromosomes during sexual reproduction.
Author(s): The Open University

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To be able to understand the importance of the environment for our health, we need to know a little about the interdependence between environment and humankind. This unit will look at interactions between plants, animals and the physical and chemical environment, as well as considering ways in which humans have altered, and are altering this environment. These changes have health implications that are not always immediately obvious. Frequently, we initiate changes that are going to have their ef
Author(s): The Open University

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The internet is a fantastic source of information for any student, but how do you evaluate the information each site provides? This unit will help you assess the benefits of information technology, providing guidance on the protocols for using email, online conferencing and real time chat as methods of communication.
Author(s): The Open University

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Acknowledgements
Genomes are composed of DNA, and a knowledge of the structure of DNA is essential to understand how it can function as hereditary material. DNA is remarkable, breathtakingly simple in its structure yet capable of directing all the living processes in a cell, the production of new cells and the development of a fertilized egg to an individual adult. DNA has three key properties: it is relatively stable; its structure suggests an obvious way in which the molecule can be duplicated, or replicated;
Author(s): The Open University

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References
This unit helps you understand the properties of nucleotides and how they contribute to secondary and tertiary structures of nucleic acids at the molecular level. You will learn about the different composition and roles of nucleic acids in the cell, their interactions with each other and the use of ribozymes, aptamers, antisense and hybridization as tools in molecular research. The unit covers the function of DNA packaging within the cell, the interactions between the DNA double helix and the nu
Author(s): The Open University

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Learning outcomes
This unit helps you understand the properties of nucleotides and how they contribute to secondary and tertiary structures of nucleic acids at the molecular level. You will learn about the different composition and roles of nucleic acids in the cell, their interactions with each other and the use of ribozymes, aptamers, antisense and hybridization as tools in molecular research. The unit covers the function of DNA packaging within the cell, the interactions between the DNA double helix and the nu
Author(s): The Open University

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Acknowledgements
The genetic manipulation of plants and animals and their use in agriculture is one of the most controversial scientific developments of recent times. This unt takes a look at the 'science behind the headlines' and the complex interactions between scientific and social factors. By the end of the unit it's hoped that you will have a clearer idea of both what is GM makes possible as well as what may be thought desirable.
Author(s): The Open University

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References
The genetic manipulation of plants and animals and their use in agriculture is one of the most controversial scientific developments of recent times. This unt takes a look at the 'science behind the headlines' and the complex interactions between scientific and social factors. By the end of the unit it's hoped that you will have a clearer idea of both what is GM makes possible as well as what may be thought desirable.
Author(s): The Open University

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Except for third party materials and otherwise stated (see http://www.open.ac.uk/conditions terms and conditions), this content is made available under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2

Learning outcomes
The genetic manipulation of plants and animals and their use in agriculture is one of the most controversial scientific developments of recent times. This unt takes a look at the 'science behind the headlines' and the complex interactions between scientific and social factors. By the end of the unit it's hoped that you will have a clearer idea of both what is GM makes possible as well as what may be thought desirable.
Author(s): The Open University

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Except for third party materials and otherwise stated (see http://www.open.ac.uk/conditions terms and conditions), this content is made available under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2

Biotechnology and Biosecurity
Lecture on Biotechnology; its applications, its implications, risks and the challenges this new technology brings
Author(s): Ali Nouri

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Learning outcomes

After studying this unit you should be able to:

  • appreciate different understandings of the new economy;

  • understand claims about the benefits and costs of the new economy.

T356 course team
Where does the structure of our body come from? This unit looks at the structure of cells and how proteins are used by both animals and plants to create a framework for cellular growth. You will also learn how a material as fine as spider silk can exceed the strength of steel.
Author(s): The Open University

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Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Licence - see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ - Original copyright The Open University

Learning outcomes

After studying this unit you should be able to:

  • Part A:

  • describe in general terms what a business is;

  • demonstrate an appreciation of the concept of capital.

  • Part B:

  • identify the main types of business medium;

  • demonstrate an understanding of the key characteristics of businesses run as sole traders;

  • demonstrate an understanding of the key characteristics of businesses run in pa
    Author(s): No creator set

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    Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Licence - see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ - Original copyright The Open University

Acknowledgements
In the 18th and 19th century evolutionary biologists, including Darwin, emphasised the similarities between natural evolution and artificial ‘ improvement’ of livestock under domestication. They believed that studying domesticated animals and plants could illuminate the mechanisms of natural evolution.
Author(s): The Open University

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References
In the 18th and 19th century evolutionary biologists, including Darwin, emphasised the similarities between natural evolution and artificial ‘ improvement’ of livestock under domestication. They believed that studying domesticated animals and plants could illuminate the mechanisms of natural evolution.
Author(s): The Open University

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References
In this unit we explore how proteins are the 'doers' of the cell. They are huge in number and variety and diverse in structure and function, serving both the structural building blocks and the functional machinery of the cell. Just about every process in every cell requires specific proteins. The basic principles of protein structure and function which are reviewed in this unit are crucial to understanding how proteins perform their various roles.
Author(s): The Open University

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Learning outcomes
In this unit we explore how proteins are the 'doers' of the cell. They are huge in number and variety and diverse in structure and function, serving both the structural building blocks and the functional machinery of the cell. Just about every process in every cell requires specific proteins. The basic principles of protein structure and function which are reviewed in this unit are crucial to understanding how proteins perform their various roles.
Author(s): The Open University

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Except for third party materials and otherwise stated (see http://www.open.ac.uk/conditions terms and conditions), this content is made available under a http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2

Tip of the Week: NCBI's FLink
For more information about this resource see our blog post at URL http://blog.openhelix.eu/?p=6208. Here I'll introduce you to FLink, or Frequency weighted Links, NCBI's tool for linking items from one of their databases to a weighted list of associated items in another of their databases.
Author(s): No creator set

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Education for All

 Steve Sinnot

Steve Sinnot, General Secretary of the UK's biggest teachers' union, the NUT, gives the 2007 Hugh Gaitskell Memorial Lecture entitled “Education, Social Justice and Educational Opportunities – reflections on the role of teachers and their organisations”

Mr Sinnot describes the impact of those who are hopeful supporters and activists for justice, human rights and equality. He gives examples of the improve
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Education in the wild: contextual and location-based mobile learning in action. A report from the ST
A new report has been published by the LSRI/University of Nottingham that gives an essential overview of research into location-based contextual mobile learning primarily across Europe, edited by Elizabeth Brown. The report follows on from a 2-day workshop funded by the STELLAR Network of Excellence as part of their 2009 Alpine Rendez-Vous workshop series. Contributors have provided examples of innovative and exciting research projects and practical applications for mobile learning in a location
Author(s): Brown Elizabeth J

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