Product Description

There’s no easier, faster, or more practical way to learn the really tough subjects

Genetics Demystified offers an up-to-date, highly readable explanation of the basic principles of genetics, covering key topics such as human genetics, DNA, heredity, mutations, traits, chromosomes, and much more. This self-teaching guide comes complete with key points, background information, quizzes at the end of each chapter, and even a final exam. Simple enough for beginners but challenging enough for advanced students, this is a lively and entertaining brush-up, introductory text, or classroom supplement.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111656 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 210 pages

From the Back Cover
LEARN THE ABC'S OF DNA (AND HEREDITY)

Now anyone with an interest in genetics can master it -- without med school classes, Nobel Prize intelligence, or unlimited time.

In Genetics Demystified, award-winning science writer Edward Willett provides an effective and painless way to learn or review genetics, from Mendel's first experiments with pea plants through today's controversies over cloning.

With Genetics Demystified, you master the subject one step at a time -- at your own speed. This unique self-teaching guide breaks genetics into manageable, interesting segments, and provides a quiz at the end of each chapter to reinforce learning and pinpoint weaknesses. An 80-question final exam reviews the entire book.

A fast, entertaining route to learning a complex subject, this reader-friendly guide helps you:

• Unravel the mysteries of DNA, RNA, and the Human Genome Project
• Learn how traits pass from one generation to the next
• Find out how DNA is used to track evolution and solve historical and current mysteries
• Discover how genetic engineering may cure and prevent disease and make better crops -- and what the risks may be
• Find the link between cancer and the genetic code
• See how viruses "hijack heredity"
• Take a final exam and grade it yourself!

A quick, effective way to learn genetics, Genetics Demystified is the perfect shortcut to a deeper understanding of one of the most fascinating fields of our times.

About the Author
Edward Willet is a science columnist for radio and newspapers and a former news editor. The author of more than 30 books, including nonfiction on topics as diverse as computing, disease, history, and quantum physics, as well as several science fiction and fantasy novels, he is the recipient of awards from the National Science Teachers Association, the Children's Book Council, and VOYA magazine, among others.

Customer Reviews

Very interesting book!
I enjoy most about reading the fascinating overview of genetics in this book. It covers many interesting topics for beginners, such as: the cell (basic unit of life), DNA (chemical basis of heredity), traits (how genes are expressed), genomes (reading the genetic code), cancer (genetics gone awry), bacteria (a different way of going things), viruses (hijacking heredity), genetic engineering (gene therapy & cloning), evolution (change driven by genetics) and humans (how genetics affects us).

Simplifying Genetic For All
Genetics, the science of plant and animal breeding,the study of the elements that determine the characteristics of a plant or animal and their differences has been given a rudimentary or fundamental attention by the book "Genetics Demystified". The book has covered a groundbreaking foundation in the subject for the benefit of students, lecturers, researchers, geneticists and even the casual readers of the subject. I quickly recommend it to anybody with a serious eye for genetics of any form.

Definitely NOT for college students
I really wanted a supplement to my genetics text since a lot of the material was getting complicated and I couldn't follow the lectures very well. I got this supplement due the high rating the previous reviewer gave it, but I soon realized what a waste of money this book is. The book reads like a high school lesson, knowing the history of Mendel is hardly what I need to know for my college course and I was confused as to why there weren't any problems concerning mendelian crosses or linkage maps included instead there were multiple choice questions concerning the processes of mitosis and definitions as to what heterogametic means. For college course the book is too dumbed down and not helpful at all. Any undergraduate who has gone through Bio I and II might even find themselves already knowing all the topics brought up. If your high school offers a genetic class or has a biology unit involving genetics I would recommend this book, for anyone college level and above I suggest you save your money and spend it on the much more helpful Schaum's Outlines Genetics.