Genetics

“Have you ever heard that you look like family members?” The concept of familial resemblance introduces a less familiar one, inherited traits, in this appealing overview of genetics. Brief accounts of the lives and experiments of early scientists, such as Robert Hooke and Gregor Mendel, establish the basic concepts (including cells, dominant and recessive traits, and chromosomes) underlying the modern study of genetics. The final chapter touches on crime-scene investigation and other real-world applications for genetics. Helpful diagrams explain more complicated ideas, e.g. DNA structure and meiosis, as do well-chosen photographs (an image of a blue lobster, for example, illustrates genetic mutation). Throughout the book, sidebars and captions provide additional information and context, while in various sections readers are asked critical-thinking questions that will aid comprehension. A concluding spread provides creative assignments and research prompts to help students apply the knowledge they’ve learned. Back matter contains a glossary, book and Web-site suggestions for further learning, and an index.