This is a very in-depth look at yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and their value as a model organism for genetic analysis. The complete sequence of its genome has proved to be extremely useful as a reference towards the sequences of human and other higher eukaryotic genes. Furthermore, the ease of genetic manipulation of yeast allows its use for conveniently analyzing and functionally dissecting gene products from other eukaryotes. This site is an on-line textbook covering fundamental concepts in yeast genetics.
Type of Material:
Mostly text with a few figures.
Recommended Uses:
This could be used as a supplement to a textbook in an upper level genetics course or as a reference in a yeast lab.
Technical Requirements:
html
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Provide a reference explaining background material in yeast genetics, working with yeast as a model organism, the types of experiments that can be done with yeast, and interpretation of results.
Target Student Population:
Undergraduate or Graduate
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
A solid background in general genetics would be needed to understand this article. Some experience working with yeast or another model organism, especially a microorganism, would also be helpful.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
An accurate and complete on-line textbook on yeast genetics.
Very clear and thorough
Clearly written with good illustrations.
Reasonably up to date, last revised in 2000.
Concerns:
There are not many links to other resources on yeast genetics.
Animations, movies or electron micrographs would help to spice up the site and make it more interesting for students.
Last updated in 2000. Appears to be current, but may want to be careful as techniques change or are replaced with new and improved ones.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
A good reference for students studying yeast genetics.
Decent diagrams and figures.
Very clearly written for someone who has worked with yeast before.
Would work nicely in a lab setting as a reference.
Concerns:
The flat text format is a very passive method of content delivery for a web site.
It's just a long article about yeast genetics so it's not really a teaching "tool".
Links to external sites would greatly enhance the site, especially with the work done on the yeast genome project, image databases, mutant databases, etc.
The site would benefit from the addition of some assessment tools; quizzes, exercises, tutorials, study problems, etc. It is not clear what students should learn from this site.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Well organized with a complete and accurate table of contents.
Pages are well organized and written at an easy to read level.
Can be downloaded or printed in sections
Concerns:
Given the large amount of text, a search engine would be nice, or at the least hyperlinks between terms in the text and the glossary.
The glossary is very brief.
Creative Commons:
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