Over 140,000 people are enrolled in life sciences degree programs, and millions more are intrigued by the recent decoding of the human genome and the role of DNA in forensic investigations. This plain-English guide helps students and interested adults get up to speed on genetics fundamentals. From dominant and recessive inherited traits to the DNA double-helix and genes identified with specific diseases, the book explains genetics in terms that anyone can understand-and shows how people are applying today's genetic science to fight disease, develop new agricultural products, solve crimes . . . and clone cats.…mehr
Over 140,000 people are enrolled in life sciences degree programs, and millions more are intrigued by the recent decoding of the human genome and the role of DNA in forensic investigations. This plain-English guide helps students and interested adults get up to speed on genetics fundamentals. From dominant and recessive inherited traits to the DNA double-helix and genes identified with specific diseases, the book explains genetics in terms that anyone can understand-and shows how people are applying today's genetic science to fight disease, develop new agricultural products, solve crimes . . . and clone cats.
Tara Rodden Robinson, PhD, completed a postdoctoral fellowship in genetics at Auburn University and is currently an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University.
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Introduction.
Part I: Genetics Basics.
Chapter 1: What Genetics Is and Why You Need to Know Some.
Chapter 2: Celling Out: Basic Cell Biology.
Chapter 3: Mendel's Peas Plan: Discovering the Laws of Inheritance.
Chapter 4: Law Enforcement: Mendel's Laws Applied to Complex Traits.
Chapter 5: The Subject of Sex.
Part II: DNA: The Genetic Material.
Chapter 6: DNA: The Basis of Life.
Chapter 7: Copying Your DNA: Replication.
Chapter 8: RNA: Like DNA but Different.
Chapter 9: Translating the Genetic Code.
Chapter 10: What a Cute Pair of Genes: Gene Expression.
Part III: Genetics and Your Health.
Chapter 11: Sequencing Your DNA.
Chapter 12: Genetic Counseling.
Chapter 13: Mutation and Inherited Diseases.
Chapter 14: The Genetics of Cancer.
Chapter 15: Chromosome Disorders.
Chapter 16: No Couch Needed: Gene Therapy.
Part IV: Genetics and Your World.
Chapter 17: Tracing Human History and the Future of the Planet.
Chapter 18: Forensic Genetics: Solving Mysteries Using DNA.
Chapter 19: Genetic Makeovers: Fitting New Genes into Plants and Animals.
Chapter 20: Cloning: There'll Never Be Another You.
Chapter 21: Ethics: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Part V: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 22: Ten Defining Events in Genetics.
Chapter 23: Ten of the Hottest Issues in Genetics.
