May 1, 2018 (Vol. 38, No. 9)
Rating:
Strong Points: Some useful animations, good quiz questions
Weak Points: Not much information contained in app
Platform:
iPad/iPhone/Android
Cost:
$0.99
Summary:
The Genetics and Molecular Biology app is aimed for younger students (middle school and high school); however, it could also serve as a review resource for introductory biology students at the undergraduate level. The app provides basic background information on three topics: DNA, protein synthesis, and genetic engineering. A combination of text, illustrations, and animations are used to convey the information, though somewhat frustratingly the text and images cannot be enlarged. Although there is not much depth to the information contained within the app, the quiz feature provides 20 useful review questions that probe concepts related to the Central Dogma, especially protein synthesis. The app also contains an exercise to practice matching tRNAs to a corresponding mRNA codon. It is a nice exercise, though it is fairly one-dimensional.
