Biology S1002E (Summer 2002)
Notes for Week #3
Roger B. Blumberg

Wednesday, June 12th

• We'll begin with a brief review of the counting theorems we covered last Thursday, as well as the explanations of the various problems to which C(10,5) was the answer. We'll then go over each of the problems on Homework Set #1.

• Putting the mathematics aside for a while, we'll begin our study of classical genetics by discussing theories of Heredity before Mendel (see esp. the link to Orel's paper in the Background Reading for this week).

• Next, we'll begin discussing Mendel's paper with the following questions:
  • Why did Mendel choose peas (Pisum Sativum)?
  • What is Mendel's fundamental question and how do his experiments attempt to answer it?
  • Is there anything that distinguishes the experimental details Mendel provides in the paper from those he leaves out?

• For Next Time: Read at least the first 8 sections of Mendel's paper, and come to class with a question about something you've read that you don't understand.

Thursday, June 13th

• We'll begin with some elementary statistics, defining various forms of averaging and how the mean is related to "standard deviation" and the "Normal Distribution".

• Back to Mendel: We'll look at Mendel's data in sections 5-7, discuss his interpretation(s) of it, and ask how we should evaluate both the data and the interpretation.

• In a textbook description of Mendel's work, you'll find reference to "Mendel's Laws" of random segregation and independent assortment. What do these laws claim (and why are they "laws"), and are they in fact derivable from what Mendel reports in this paper?

• For Next Time: Finish Mendel's paper and come to class next week with at least one question about sections 9-11.