Genome (book)
Genome (book)
Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters is a popular science book by the British geneticist Matt Ridley, published by Fourth Estate in 1999. The chapters are numbered for the pairs of human chromosome, one pair being the X and Y sex chromosomes, so the numbering goes up to 22.
Pronunciation
Genome: /ˈdʒiːnoʊm/
Etymology
The term "genome" was coined in 1920 by Hans Winkler, professor of botany at the University of Hamburg, Germany. The term represents the combination of the words "gene" and "chromosome". However, the book title is a metaphorical use of the term.
Synopsis
The book narrates the story of the human genome in the form of a biography, with each chapter focusing on a specific gene or group of genes with significant implications for human life. Ridley explores the nature and impact of these genes, discussing their role in determining our physical characteristics, behavior, and susceptibility to diseases.
Related Terms
- Gene: A gene is a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.
- Chromosome: A chromosome is a thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
- Genetics: Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms.
- Geneticist: A geneticist is a biologist who studies genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation of organisms.
- Nucleus: The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's chromosomes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Genome (book)
- Wikipedia's article - Genome (book)
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski