Genes and DNA - A Beginner's Guide to Genetics and Applns

239 Pages·2004·4.304 MB·English

by  C. Omoto, P. Lurquin

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Genes and DNA
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Genes and DNA
A B E G I N N E R ’ S G U I D E T O G E N E T I C S
A N D I T S A P P L I C AT I O N S
CHARLOTTE K. OMOTO AND PAUL F. LURQUIN
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS NEW YORK
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Columbia University Press
Publishers Since 1893
New York Chichester, West Sussex
Copyright © 2004Columbia University Press
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Omoto, Charlotte K.
Genes and DNA : a beginner’s guide to genetics and its applications /
Charlotte K. Omoto and Paul F. Lurquin.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0–231–13012–0 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN 0–231–13013–9
(pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Genetics. 2. Molecular genetics. I. Lurquin, Paul F. II. Title.
QH430.O47 2004
576.5—dc22
2003062584
Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent
and durable acid-free paper.
Printed in the United States of America
c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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IN MEMORY OF OUR MOTHERS
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Contents
Acknowledgments xiii
List of Contributors xv
Preface: Why Is Genetics Important? xvii
Chapter 1. What Are Genes? 1
DNA 1
DNA Can Be Specifically Stained and Observed in Cells 2
DNA Determines Genetic Properties in Bacteria 3
DNA Is a Double Helix 6
Transfer of Genetic Information to Progeny 9
DNA Can Be Replicated in the Test Tube 10
Summary 17
Try This at Home: Extract DNA from Vegetables in Your Kitchen 17
Box 1.1. PCR and Identification 15
Chapter 2. Inheritance of Single-Gene Traits 19
Plants Are Good Organisms for the Study of Inheritance 20
Genes Do Not Blend 21
Rules of Inheritance 22
Behavior of Chromosomes 23
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viii CONTENTS
The Punnett Square 24
Incomplete Dominance 28
Sex Is Also Determined by Inheritance Rules 29
Summary 33
Chapter 3. Mendelian Traits in Humans 34
Blood Types 34
Sex-Linked Traits: Hemophilia 35
Sex-Linked Traits: Color Blindness 37
Prostate and Breast Cancer 37
Genetic Metabolic Diseases 39
Sickle-cell Anemia 41
Hemochromatosis 42
Another Sex-Influenced Trait: Male Pattern Baldness 44
Dominant Genetic Diseases 44
Pedigree Analysis 45
Summary 50
Try This at Home: Pedigree Game 50
Box 3.1. Warning on Diet Products 40
Chapter 4. From Genes to Phenotype 53
Transcription 54
Translation 56
Changes in DNA Modify the Amino Acid Sequences of Proteins 61
Gene Regulation 63
Summary 67
Try This at Home: DNA Replication, Transcription,
and Translation Game 68
Box 4.1 Why People Are Saving Their Babies’ Cord Blood 65
Chapter 5. Using Bacteria as Protein Factories 70
Tools for Manufacturing Proteins 70
Using Restriction Enzymes and Plasmids to Clone a Gene 73
Producing Human Proteins in E. Coli 74
Medically Important Human Proteins Made in E. Coli 76
Summary 78
Chapter 6. Genetically Modified Plants 79
What Are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)? 79
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CONTENTS ix
Agrobacterium-Mediated Gene Transfer 80
Biolistics 81
Genetic Modifications 86
Genetically Modified Nonfood Plants 88
Ecological Issues 90
Labeling Issues and Food Safety 91
Summary 92
Box 6.1: Detecting Foreign Genes in Genetically Modified Plants 85
Chapter 7. When Things Go Wrong 93
Errors in Chromosome Number 94
Multiple Sets of Chromosomes 94
Looking at Our Chromosomes 96
Changes in the DNA Base Sequence 97
Triplet Repeat Errors 102
Summary 103
Chapter 8. Mutagens, Teratogens, and Human Reproduction 104
Spontaneous Mutations 104
Mutagens 105
How Do We Detect Mutagens? 107
Teratogens 109
Human Reproduction 112
Summary 113
Box 8.1: Why There Were Few Thalidomide-Caused Birth Defects
in the United States 110
Chapter 9. Linkage and Mapping: Gene Discovery 114
There Are Many Genes on Each Chromosome 114
Independent Assortment of Genes 115
Linkage 118
Recombination 119
Linkage to a DNA Marker 123
The Human Genome Project and Others 131
Discovering Disease Genes in Humans 132
Summary 133
Try This at Home: Independent Assortment of Chromosomes
and the Making of a Unique Individual 133
Try This at Home: Explore Genetics Databases 135