Human Heredity Principles and Issues

About this book

Human Heredity presents the concepts of human genetics in clear, concise language and provides relevant examples that you can apply to yourself, your family, and your work environment. Author Michael Cummings explains the origin, nature, and amount of genetic diversity present in the human population and how that diversity has been shaped by natural selection. The artwork and accompanying media visually support the material by teaching rather than merely illustrating the ideas under discussion. Examining the social, cultural, and ethical implications associated with the use of genetic technology, Cummings prepares you to become a well-informed consumer of genetic-based health care services or provider of health care services. It is available with InfoTrac[registered] Student Collections.

Contents

1. A Perspective on Human Genetics
2. Cells and Cell Division
3. Transmission of Genes from Generation to Generation
4. Pedigree Analysis in Human Genetics
5. The Inheritance of Complex Traits
6. Cytogenetics: Karyotypes and Chromosome Aberrations
7. Development and Sex Determination
8. The Structure, Replication, and Chromosomal Organization of DNA
9. Gene Expression and Gene Regulation
10. From Proteins to Phenotypes
11. Genome Alterations: Mutation and Epigenetics
12. Genes and Cancer
13. An Introduction to Genetic Technology
14. Biotechnology and Society
15. Genomes and Genomics
16. Reproductive Technology, Genetic Testing, and Gene Therapy
17. Genes and the Immune System
18. Genetics of Behavior
19. Population Genetics and Human Evolution

Appendix
Glossary
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Michael Cummings is the author and coauthor of a number of widely used college textbooks, including Biology: Science and Life; Concepts of Genetics; Genetics: A Molecular Perspective; Essentials of Genetics; Human Heredity; and Human Genetics and Society. He has also written articles on aspects of genetics for the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology and has published a newsletter on advances in human genetics for instructors and students. He received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Northwestern University. His doctoral work, conducted in the laboratory of Dr. R.C. King, centered on ovarian development in Drosophila melanogaster. After a year on the faculty at Northwestern, he moved to the University of Illinois at Chicago, where for many years he held teaching and research positions. In 2003, he joined the faculty in the Department of Biology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and currently holds the title of Research Professor. His current research interests involve the organization of DNA sequences in the short-arm and centromere region of human chromosome 21. He is engaged in a collaborative effort to construct a physical map of this region of chromosome 21 for the purpose of exploring molecular mechanisms of chromosome interactions. At the undergraduate level, he has focused on teaching genetics, human genetics for non-majors, and general biology to majors and non-majors. He has received awards given by the university faculty for outstanding teaching, has twice been voted by graduating seniors as the best teacher in their years on campus, and has received several teaching awards from student organizations.