IRAKU — Genetics

IRAKU is an educational app that lets you learn genetics, DNA and evolution through moving simulations. Every mode unfolds in 4 steps and ends with a real example from research or observation. Every part of each picture is labeled, so you can connect the formulas with what you see. Developer: Fuji Bit Inc. IRAKU is the genetics edition of the "-raku" series of educational apps. It turns genetics from high school biology to introductory university courses into moving pictures, not just formulas and terms. 11 simulations in 4 categories: - DNA and gene expression - DNA Double Helix: Watch nucleotides gather, form A=T (2 hydrogen bonds) and G≡C (3 hydrogen bonds) base pairs, and wind as two antiparallel strands into a right-handed helix in 3D. Spin the finished helix with your finger. Human DNA has about 3 billion base pairs; stretched out, the DNA in one cell is about 2 m long. - Central Dogma: Using the human insulin gene, follow transcription initiation, mRNA synthesis, splicing and export from the nucleus, and translation on the ribosome. - Codon Translation: Read mRNA three bases at a time from the start codon AUG to a stop codon, with tRNAs bringing amino acids and a codon table highlighting each codon. Switch to examples of a synonymous substitution and a nonsense mutation. - How inheritance works - Mendel's Crosses: Cross round and wrinkled peas through F1 and F2. Check the 3:1 ratio (9:3:3:1 with two genes) in a Punnett square and compare it with Mendel's own counts of 5474 : 1850. - Meiosis & Crossing Over (new): Follow DNA replication, pairing of homologous chromosomes and crossing over, then meiosis I and II until four gametes form. Tell parental and recombinant gametes apart, and turn crossing over on or off. - Karyotype: Stain 46 chromosomes with G-banding and arrange them by size and centromere position into pairs 1-22 and the sex chromosomes to complete the karyotype 46,XX or 46,XY. - Populations and evolution - Mutation & Evolution: Using industrial melanism in the peppered moth, see mutation, environmental change and natural selection spread the dark form generation by generation. - Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: See allele frequencies p and q give genotypes p², 2pq and q², and stay the same generation after generation. Change p with a slider. - Phylogenetic Tree: Build a tree with the UPGMA method from DNA differences between humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and gibbons. - Biotechnology - PCR Amplification (new): Watch DNA double in three steps - denaturation (95 °C), annealing (about 58 °C) and extension (72 °C) - and grow about a billion-fold in 30 cycles, with a temperature graph. - CRISPR: See a guide RNA and Cas9 find a PAM sequence (NGG), cut both strands, and the break being repaired by NHEJ (deletions and insertions) or HDR (rewriting). Switch between the two repair pathways. Features: - Clean, modern design with dark and light themes - Home screen organized by category - Every mode advances in 4 steps and ends with a real example (step back and forth with ◀ ▶ and change the speed) - Labels on every part of each picture - An explanation sheet with formulas for every simulation - In landscape, the canvas and controls sit side by side - Supports larger text sizes - Available in 73 languages, including English and Japanese (follows your device language) - No sign-in; start exploring right away Price and purchases: - Price: Free - In-app purchases: None - Subscriptions: None - Ads: Banner ads by Pangle at the bottom of the screen The "-raku" series of educational apps (selection): - SUUGAKU - Mathematics - BUTURAKU - Mechanics - DENRAKU - Electromagnetism - HARAKU - Waves - CHIRAKU - Earth Science - IRAKU - Genetics