Coming soon to a computer near you – the Be an Allele game! I have been toying with a new idea for content on the page. It is constructed as a nested series of choices one makes as a new allele brought about through a mutation at a single locus, called a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

The first page provides the context of what an allele is, and how alleles relate to evolution. From there you begin to “play” by choosing first: somatic or germ cell, then: good, neutral, bad, exploring the implications on the cell, individual, and evolutionary history of the population for any given place and type of mutation.

So far I have only completed the content for the somatic cell, with the germ cells coming soon. I would love some feedback on the flow and organization of the somatic cell nest. I’d also appreciate comments on the content from anyone and everyone – from scientists to parents and educators, to children and students. Is anything too simple, too complex, incorrect, or confusing? Would you like to see more discussion and/or graphics?

My objective with this project is to break down the cell to cell movements of an allele within and between individuals of a population to show how evolutionary processes work on the micro scale. My target audience is advanced middle school and high school biology students who may need help grasping concepts of genetics and evolution.

How did I do? Please leave comments below, or submit through the Questions page.