Genetics For Dummies

Tara Rodden Robinson , PhD, is an Instructor of Genetics, Extended Campus, at Oregon State University. Previously, she worked as an instructor and Postdoctoral Fellow in Genetics at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.

Introduction 1 Part I: The Lowdown on Genetics: Just the Basics 7 Chapter 1: What Genetics Is and Why You Need to Know Some 9 Chapter 2: Basic Cell Biology 19 Chapter 3: Visualize Peas: Discovering the Laws of Inheritance 37 Chapter 4: Law Enforcement: Mendel's Laws Applied to Complex Traits 51 Chapter 5: Differences Matter: The Genetics of Sex67 Part II: DNA: The Genetic Material 81 Chapter 6: DNA: The Basis of Life 83 Chapter 7: Replication: Copying Your DNA 99 Chapter 8: Sequencing Your DNA 117 Chapter 9: RNA: DNA's Close Cousin 129 Chapter 10: Translating the Genetic Code 143 Chapter 11: Gene Expression: What a Cute Pair of Genes 157 Part III: Genetics and Your Health 171 Chapter 12: Genetic Counseling 173 Chapter 13: Mutation and Inherited Diseases: Things You Can't Change 187 Chapter 14: Taking a Closer Look at the Genetics of Cancer 203 Chapter 15: Chromosome Disorders: It's All a Numbers Game 221 Chapter 16: Treating Genetic Disorders with Gene Therapy 237 Part IV: Genetics and Your World 249 Chapter 17: Tracing Human History and the Future of the Planet 251 Chapter 18: Solving Mysteries Using DNA 265 Chapter 19: Genetic Makeovers: Fitting New Genes into Plants and Animals 283 Chapter 20: Cloning: You're One of a Kind 299 Chapter 21: Giving Ethical Considerations Their Due313 Part V: The Part of Tens 323 Chapter 22: Ten Defi ning Events in Genetics 325 Chapter 23: Ten Hot Issues in Genetics 333 Chapter 24: Ten Hard-to-Believe Genetics Stories 341 Glossary 347 Index 351