ERIC Number: ED247887
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1981-May
Pages: 31
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Computers in Biological Education: Simulation Approaches. Genetics and Evolution. CAL Research Group Technical Report No. 13.
Murphy, P. J.
Three examples of genetics and evolution simulation concerning Mendelian inheritance, genetic mapping, and natural selection are used to illustrate the use of simulations in modeling scientific/natural processes. First described is the HERED series, which illustrates such phenomena as incomplete dominance, multiple alleles, lethal alleles, linkage, sex-linkage, complementary genes, and epistasis, and simulates the hereditary mechanisms in particular species. A sample printout is used to explain the series. The second simulation discussed is LINKOVER, which involves genetic mapping and retains the essence of planning and performing crosses with living organisms while greatly speeding up the technique. The last simulation described is SELECT, a population genetics program based on simple colored bead models of natural selection in a one locus/two allele situation. It is concluded that, although some problems exist in using such computer simulations in genetics and evolution instruction, students' grasp of many difficult topics can be greatly enhanced through interaction with computer models. Twenty-five references are listed. (LMM)
Descriptors: Biology, Computer Simulation, Courseware, Evolution, Genetics, Higher Education, Models, Program Evaluation, Science Instruction, Simulation, Teaching Methods
Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, England.
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Open Univ., Walton, Bletchley, Bucks (England).
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: In: Lal S, Ed. Computers in Biological Education. For related documents, see IR 011 234 and IR 011 239.