This third edition of a student-tested primer provides guided instruction in the analysis and interpretation of genetic principles and problem solving. All core areas of genetics are covered. Each section is introduced with a summary of key concepts and terms. A series of problems, graded from simple to more complex, then allows students to test their understanding of the material. This new edition includes additional problems, extensively expanded coverage of molecular biology throughout, new overview chapters and an expanded glossary.
1. Overview of genetic organization and scale; 2. Mitosis and meiosis; 3. Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA; 4. Basic mendelian genetics; 5. Probability and chi-square; 6. Sex-linkage and gene interactions; 7. Pedigree analysis; 8. Overview of basic statistical testing; 9. Quantitative inheritance; 10. Overview of genetic mapping; 11. Assessing chromosome linkage relationships; 12. Linkage and mapping in diploids; 13. Mapping in bacteria and viruses; 14. Overview of types of genetic change; 15. Gene mutation; 16. Changes in chromosome number and structure; 17. Protein synthesis and the genetic code; 18. Gene regulation and development; 19. Overview of molecular biology techniques; 20. DNA mapping and human genome analysis; 21. Basic population genetics; 22. Selection and evolution; 23. Practice tests; 24. Answers to practice tests and crossword puzzles; 25. Landmarks in the history of genetics; Glossary; Reference tables.
James N. Thompson, Jr., is a David Boyd Professor in the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma. He has taught genetics for almost thirty years. His research interests are in genetic responses and adaptation to stress, genotype and environment interactions in quantitative traits, and variation in mutation rate. Jenna J. Hellack is Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Biology at the University of Central Oklahoma. She currently teaches introductory genetics, evolution, and molecular and population genetics courses. Her research interests are in the area of population genetics. David S. Durica has been a member of the Department of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma since 1988, where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in genetics. His research focuses on developmental genetics and the organization and expression of multigene families.
' ... this is a clearly-written and well-organized book, which does an unassuming but important job.' Times Higher Educational Supplement 'It is a book well worth having access to ... ' Trends in Genetics 'Any student dedicated enough to work through the problems is likely to benefit enormously and develop a greater conceptual understanding of genetics.' Animal Genetics