A Dictionary of GeneticsGenetics, the most rapidly advancing of the life sciences, has stimulated more diverse disciplines in the natural and social sciences than any other field. Contributions from scientists of varied backgrounds--anthropologists, chemists, computer specialists, engineers, mathematicians, paleontologists, physicians, and physicists--to its development is one major reason for its prodigious growth. Such growth is accompanied by a proliferation in terminology, which creates a problem both to beginning students and scientists from other disciplines who read papers by geneticists. Various terms, especially in molecular and cell biology, are newly coined and thus not found in any collegiate or biology dictionaries; in some cases, species names are even unfamiliar to students with little or no background in taxonomy. This fifth edition of the much-needed Dictionary of Genetics contains over 6,500 definitions of terms and species names relevant to the study of genetics. The entries include both strictly genetic and non-genetic terms often encountered in the literature. Also featured is a classification where all the species cited in the text are cross-referenced. There is a chronology covering the period from 1590 to 1996, and its 790 entries are cross-referenced in the appropriate definitions. The chronology is followed by an extensive bibliography and an index of the scientists cited. The final appendix lists Genetic Databases. Thus the book is helpful not only to beginning geneticists, but anyone involved in life sciences. Physicians for example will find at least 50 citations to human hereditary diseases, along with entries on the breast cancer susceptibility genes, cystic fibrosis, familial hypercholesterolemia, fragile X-associated mental retardation, and many other topics. The 250 illustrations and tables add to the unique value of this reference. |
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Common terms and phrases
actin activity alleles amino acid animal antibodies antigen Appendix atomic bacteria bacteriophage base bind Biology blood called carrying cause cells chromosome cloning coli common Compare complex compound containing crossing cycle cytoplasmic demonstrate derived determine disease division Drosophila effect electron elements encoded enzyme eukaryotic evolution example expressed factor female function gene genetic genome given glucose growth hormone host human hybrid immune individuals insect involved isolated Journal known light male membrane method molecular molecules mRNA mutation normal nucleotide nucleus occurs organism origin pairs parent period phage phenotype plants population position present Press produced protein reaction recombination referring region replication response result ribosome segment selection separated sequence single species strains strand structure synthesis technique term theory tion tissue transcription transfer unit usually virus