DNA and Genetic Genealogy - BYU-Idaho

This semester, I am taking Introductory Genetic Genealogy at BYU-Idaho. The course is mostly "bookwork," unlike all my previous classes. However, the studying load has quadrupled. It has been a welcome change.

I remember most of the terminology from the biology refresher course taken in the 2nd semester of my first year at BYU-Idaho. It was listed in the group of classes that I needed to take to reinstate my nursing license in the State of Georgia. Each week, we get a break-in studying and taking quizzes testing our knowledge. In these hands-on assignments, we are still doing a different type of learning. 

In week three, my first hands-on project was to design an animal cell using any artistic medium. This project aimed to demonstrate an understanding of the parts of a cell. So I chose to make a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional cell. 

The cell model had to include the following: 

• The membrane
• The cytoplasm

The seven organelles aren't a comprehensive list of the organelles, just the ones needed to have in this assignment.

• Nucleus (medium sphere)
• Endoplasmic reticulum (around the nucleus)
• Mitochondria (multiple; oval or bean-shaped)
• Lysosomes (multiple; small spheres)
• Ribosomes (multiple; dots in comparison)
• Golgi apparatus (stack of flattened semi-circles)
• Centrioles (two; laying perpendicular to each other next to the nucleus; tube-shaped and short)

I received total points for it.


Also, in week three, we extracted our DNA using household items. I really enjoyed this assignment!

My response was: Holy smokes! My mother is in there, my dad, both sets of grandparents, both sets of great grandparents! That's my DNA!

If you want to try it with the littles or yourself, just to see what it looks like, here are the instructions 5-Minute DNA extraction.  

In week four we were instructed to make chromosomes from modeling clay and simulate meiosis. These five different stages show how our genetics are formed. 

Our chromosomes go through this process to create diversity. This is the foundation of DNA that is necessary to develop individuals.

I haven't played with Play-Doh since I was a young child. Then maybe when my daughter was young, but since then, nope. This was a fun project but very time-consuming.

In week five we created a 3D DNA Molecule. This was to help us understand the makeup and structure of a DNA molecule. If it is a spiral staircase and you are standing at the bottom, your right hand would be on the outer rail as you climbed the stairs. DNA is made of chemical building blocks called nucleotides. These building blocks are made of three parts: a phosphate group and a sugar group which is the backbones. The four types of nitrogen bases are Adenine (pairs with thymine), Thymine (pairs with adenine), Guanine (pairs with cytosine), Cytosine (pairs with guanine). To form a strand of DNA, nucleotides are linked into chains, with the phosphate and sugar groups alternating.

So this is what I've been up to during these last five weeks, besides taking quizzes and tests. 

Only nine more weeks of school left, then Spring break! This means for me it is time for all the vegetables that I've started growing in the house on gro-mats and under grow lights to get planted in the garden. 

My next blog post will be a family history project I worked on.

Decisions...Decisions...Decisions...

     

     Recently in a class that I am enrolled in at BYU-Idaho.  I had to choose the name of my business. Though I know that this is a life-changer, a dream, though hearing from people "it's just an assignment, it doesn't have to be real."  Well, this is as real as it gets, for me!  I am finally pursuing a life long dream. To take the writings of a young 9-year-old child (me) and throughout my life, family members that were born or died, and where they lived, entering them in the "Book of the dead." Finally, those ancestor's stories, and dates of birth and death, are coming to life. 

     In the Family History and Genealogy Department at BYU- Idaho I have had several opportunities to share the research that I have been doing through the years. Some of the terminologies were foreign to me, for instance, the Genealogical Proof Standard which is:

• Reasonably exhaustive research.
• Complete and accurate source citations.
• Thorough analysis and correlation.
• Resolution of conflicting evidence.
• Soundly written conclusion based on the strongest evidence.

My first teacher, Profesor Micheal McCormick sent this flowchart [1] to all his students in their first year of Family History. His class was "Introduction to Family History Part One: Record Group." Which is the introductory class and was a class level of 110. 

Now it is labeled at a 200 class, which classes are rated in their difficultly by the class level. 

• 100 class levels are beginner courses and the caseload is not too crazy. However, they are worth 3 credits.
• 200 class levels are intermediate courses. The caseload gets heavier. Still worth 3 credits. 
• 300 class levels are courses of advanced college-level difficulty taken by majors and upper-division students. The caseload is heavy reading, projects, and papers due twice a week, and timed tests at the end of each week. 

This winter semester 2021, I am looking forward to two additional classes offered at BYU-Idaho.[2]

• Genealogical research in the British Isles Specialized Course 1: B.I. Part 1- 
  This course focuses on how to conduct genealogical research in the British Isles. Through case studies and assignments, students will learn about records, including their geographical-historical background and principles of paleography. They will learn methods for the reconstruction of individual families and understand the development of demographic and family history studies. Students will learn key record types for the area and how to use them to find genealogical information. Students will produce a research report on how they solved an area-specific research problem.
  

• Genealogical research in the U. S. Regions Specialized Course2: US Research 2-
  This course focuses on how to conduct genealogical research in the U. S. Regions. Through case studies and assignments, students will learn about records, including their geographical-historical background and principles of paleography. They will learn methods for the reconstruction of individual families and understand the development of demographic and family history studies. Students will learn key record types for the area and how to use them to find genealogical information. Students will produce a research report on how they solved an area-specific research problem.
  

Then for the spring quarter, in 2021. I am going to take my Capstone class, which is level 399. The 399 courses are numbered and designed for juniors and seniors!

Capstone: Professional Research -  in this course, students will apply the skills they have gained in the Family History Applied Associates Degree program as they learn about earning professional genealogical credentials. Students will practice evidentiary analysis and writing skills. Students will learn about real-world genealogical environments. Students will gain experience in completing research projects for clients. They will choose a client (fellow student, family member, or friend) and conduct research. They will prepare a well-organized client report and then submit my portfolio to the board, and become a BCG certified genealogist! [3] 

I only have three more classes remaining!  Then I will graduate, finally!!! 

[1] "How to Conduct Sound Genealogical Research - a Process Flowchart". Genealogy Explained, n.d., https://www.genealogyexplained.com/basics/genealogical-proof-standard/. Accessed 15 November 2020.
[2] "Class Schedule - Public Course Search | BYU-Idaho's Personalized Access". n.d., https://my.byui.edu/ics/class_schedule/. Accessed 15 November 2020.
[3] Jrussell. "Welcome". Board for Certification of Genealogists, n.d., n.d., https://bcgcertification.org/. Accessed 15 November 2020.