What: There are many analogies floating around about polymers. The pearl necklace is a pretty good one. Polymers, both synthetic and natural, are composed of monomers that bind together to form a polymer; this is like a single pearl ear-ring combining with other pearls to form a necklace. DNA is a polymer made of nucleotide monomers. The monomers can be changed during DNA replication by chemical agents known as mutagens. This process is like being in a necklace factory with a big pile of pearls being made into necklaces. Except, thrown in with those white pearls, are an occasional black pearl that's the wrong type. The black pearl changes the appearance of the necklace the way a mutation changes the "LOOK" of a strand of DNA

Writer: Lucretia

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Where: Reference Link Has Evaporated

Date: May 13 2013 11:56 AM

What:

"It is interesting to note that several crop varieties popular with organic growers were created through mutations deliberately induced by breeders using radiation or chemicals. This method of modifying plant genomes is obviously a far cruder and more imprecise way of creating new varieties. Radiation and chemical mutagenesis is like using a sledgehammer instead of the scalpel of biotechnology. Incidentally, the FDA doesn't review these crop varieties produced by radiation or chemicals for safety, yet no one has dropped dead from eating them. "

Writer: Ronald Bailey

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Where:

Date: Feb 23 2014 4:54 PM