Genes and DNA

Genes and DNA

A Beginner's Guide to Genetics and Its Applications

  • Author: Omoto, Charlotte
  • Publisher: Columbia University Press
  • ISBN: 9780231130127
  • eISBN Pdf: 9780231503570
  • Place of publication:  New York , United States
  • Year of digital publication: 2004
  • Month: April
  • Language: English
Covering newsworthy aspects of contemporary biology—gene therapy, the Human Genome Project, DNA testing, and genetic engineering—as well as fundamental concepts, this book, written specifically for nonbiologists, discusses classical and molecular genetics, quantitative and population genetics—including cloning and genetic diseases—and the many applications of genetics to the world around us, from genetically modified foods to genetic testing.

With minimal technical terminology and jargon, Genes and DNA facilitates conceptual understanding. Eschewing the organization of traditional genetics texts, the authors have provided an organic progression of information: topics are introduced as needed, within a broader framework that makes them meaningful for nonbiologists. The book encourages the reader to think independently, always stressing scientific background and current facts.
  • Contents
  • Acknowledgments
  • Contributors
  • Preface: Why Is Genetics Important?
  • CHAPTER 1. What Are Genes?
    • DNA
    • DNA Can Be Specifically Stained and Observed in Cells
    • DNA Determines Genetic Properties in Bacteria
    • DNA Is a Double Helix
    • Transfer of Genetic Information to Progeny
    • DNA Can Be Replicated in the Test Tube
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 2. Inheritance of Single-Gene Traits
    • Plants Are Good Organisms for the Study of Inheritance
    • Genes Do Not Blend
    • Rules of Inheritance
    • Behavior of Chromosomes
    • The Punnett Square
    • Incomplete Dominance
    • Sex Is Also Determined by Inheritance Rules
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 3. Mendelian Traits in Humans
    • Blood Types
    • Sex-Linked Traits: Hemophilia
    • Sex-Linked Traits: Color Blindness
    • Prostate and Breast Cancer
    • Genetic Metabolic Diseases
    • Sickle-cell Anemia
    • Hemochromatosis
    • Another Sex-Influenced Trait: Male Pattern Baldness
    • Dominant Genetic Diseases
    • Pedigree Analysis
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 4. From Genes to Phenotype
    • Transcription
    • Translation
    • Changes in DNA Modifying the Amino Acid Sequences of Proteins
    • Gene Regulation
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 5. Using Bacteria as Protein Factories
    • Tools for Manufacturing Proteins
    • Producing Human Proteins in E. Coli
    • Medically Important Human Proteins Made in E. Coli
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 6.Genetically Modified Plants
    • What Are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?
    • Agrobacterium-Mediated Gene Transfer
    • Biolistics
    • Genetic Modifications
    • Genetically Modified Nonfood Plants
    • Ecological Issues
    • Labeling Issues and Food Safety
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 7. When Things Go Wrong
    • Errors in Chromosome Number
    • Multiple Sets of Chromosomes
    • Looking at Our Chromosomes
    • Changes in the DNA Base Sequence
    • Triplet Repeat Errors
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 8. Mutagens, Teratogens, and Human Reproduction
    • Spontaneous Mutations
    • Mutagens
    • How Do We Detect Mutagens?
    • Teratogens
    • Human Reproduction
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 9. Linkage and Mapping: Gene Discovery
    • There Are Many Genes on Each Chromosome
    • Independent Assortment of Genes
    • Linkage
    • Recombination
    • Linkage to a DNA Marker
    • The Human Genome Project and Others
    • Discovering Disease Genes in Humans
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 10. Genetics of Populations and Genetic Testing
    • Why Don’t We Observe 3 to 1 Ratios of Dominant Versus Recessive Traits in Populations?
    • Predicting the Genotype of the Next Generation Using the Punnett Square
    • Conditions for Observing Constant Gene and Genotype Frequencies
    • Another Application of the Hardy-Weinberg Law
    • Predicting Gene Frequency for a Recessive Trait
    • Gene Frequencies Vary in Different Populations
    • Newborn Testing and Conditional Probability
    • Predicting Genotype Frequency for Sex-Linked Traits
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 11.Survival of the Fittest?
    • What Is Meant by Fitness?
    • Selection Requires Variation
    • Selection Can Result in Reduced Genetic Diversity
    • Natural Selection Determined Skin Color in Humans
    • Fitness Depends Upon the Environment
    • Selection and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
    • Heterozygous Advantage
    • Why Do Dominant Genetic Diseases Exist?
    • Small Populations
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 12. Nature Versus Nurture
    • Polygenic Traits Are Additive
    • Polygenic Traits Exhibit Continuous Variation in Phenotype
    • Polygenic Traits Are Influenced by the Environment
    • Measuring Variance in Traits and Estimating Heritability
    • Twin Studies Are Helpful in Studying Polygenic Traits in Humans
    • Quantitative Traits in Medicine and Agriculture
    • Summary
  • CHAPTER 13. Genetically Modified Animals and the Applications of Gene Technology for Humans
    • Cloning Animals by the Nuclear-Transfer Technique
    • Genetically Modifying Animals Using Embryonic Stem Cells
    • Uses of Genetically Modified Animals
    • Human Gene Therapy
    • Human Reproductive Cloning
    • Human Therapeutic Cloning
    • Summary
  • APPENDIX A. Internet Resources
  • APPENDIX B. Glossary of Scientific Names of Organisms
  • APPENDIX C. Glossary of Human Genetic Diseases
  • APPENDIX D. Glossary of Terms
  • Index

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