h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Transposable Elements and Plant Molecular Genetics - A1058500
Author: Unconformity ACE (word game and pointless thread addict? join us at A1041625 ) - U216863

This may need a few changes to make it easier to understand, but I'm not entirely sure how to...

I'm not sure whether to add some definitions on terms such as genes, genetics and DNA, or whether to leave it how it is. Advice appreciated.

Hi,

I think you have a great framework for a potentially excellent article. I also think it needs fleshing out a great deal. If I were you, I'd define everything in the introduction, but not in a clunky way (which can be a bit tough).

Some suggestions (ignore at will ):

1) Write an intro, above the 'Plant Molecular Genetics' section. State your thesis and say what you're going to talk about.

2) Write a little bit about Mendel (but not too much as there's an entry you've linked to).

3) Turn the two bulletpoints in 'Plant Molecular Genetics' into subheaders and write about them. Are those two *really* the ' fundemental genetic principles on which molecualar genetics is based'??? I'm not so sure.

4) the TE section needs reformatting. Remove the subheaders and bulletpoints and write it up in two or three paragraphs.

5) Write a little more about McLintock, it's a fascinating story.

6) Transposons also occur in non-plant species too. It might look like they only occur in plants from the entry.

7) Insertion and excision only talks about the footprint , and not the insertion event. More is needed here.

8) The enzyme is called 'tranposase', not 'transtosase'.

9) You might want to mention what is meant by a 'mutant' somewhere

10) 'Transposon tagging' needs to be in continuous prose, not as a numbered list.

11) You need a conclusion. Restate the thesis, and summarise.


You could also mention reverse genetics and T-DNA insertional mutants in arabidopsis, which is pretty interesting.

I hope this is useful. I've had some experience in plant genomics, and I'm generally up on genetics, so if you have any questions, fire away.

Ste

Did this entry get anywhere, or are you still after comments?

did I write this, hmm, it's in my name I guess I must have done

I had honestly completely forgotten about its existance , I guess I'll havwe to read it again and try and remember what it is

*Re-reads* Urgh, that entry seriously needs some work . I'll take it out of writing workshop, I won't be able to work on it for a little while as I'm mid-way through writing three other entries.