A Dictionary of Genetics - Softcover

King, Robert C.; Stansfield, William D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195094425 ISBN 13: 9780195094428

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1996

Synopsis

Genetics, 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.

About this title

About the Author

Robert C. King is Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology at Northwestern University.

William D. Stansfield is Professor of Biology at California Polytechnic State University.

Review

Reviews for the previous editions:

"A perfect supplement to any genetics text, introductory or more advanced, especially if this text is over a year old. With our current delightfully explosive advances in genetic knowledge, such point-by-point, concept-by-concept supplements are likely to become mandatory. I personally find
parts of this dictionary an excellent review and updating."--Lee Ehrmann, Division of Natural Sciences, State University of New York at Purchase

"It should become part of the personal library and institutional library of colleges and university faculty and students around the world. The style and high level of organization will make this dictionary useful to students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels of education."--Ellen
M. Rasch, Department of Biophysics, East Tennessee State University

"No more appropriate or concise guide to the terminology of the confusing, booming state of genetics today can be found than in this dictionary . . . . It is, quite simply, the most indispensable work of its kind in existence."--The Quarterly Review of Biology

"This fourth edition updates a dependable compendium . . . A useful and needed work for upper-division undergraduates through advanced researchers in genetics and related topics."--Choice

"The five appendixes are extremely helpful and include an extensive bibliography....A higly worthwhile contribution to the fields of genetics and molecular biology."--Doody's Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0195094425
• ISBN 13: 9780195094428
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 456