Chemistry and the Human Genome

This book from the Royal Society of Chemistry (2002) offers an account of the chemical science that underlies publication of the draft sequence of human genome at a level suitable for post-16 students of chemistry and also biology. The book was written for teachers of both chemistry and biology and for students.

Questions are included within the text (with answers for the teacher at the back of the book). Key words in bold in the text are explained in a glossary. Some suggestions for further reading are included as well as a short list of web sites.

Some ways in which the book could be used are suggested:
• It could be used by students as background reading to inspire them and give them a feel for the context of this particular topic.
• Sections could be used together with the questions they contain as comprehension exercises or extracts could be used as passages on which to base comprehension questions for exam practice.
• The reading of a section and the answering of the questions within it could be set as a meaningful exercise during the absence (planned or unplanned) of the teacher.
• Students could read the book simply for interest and enjoyment using the questions as an aid to understanding as they read.
• Teachers themselves might read the book for interest and enjoyment as a means of updating their own knowledge.

Contents
1. Introduction
2. Why is the human genome so important?
3. How does heredity work?
4. Sequencing DNA
5. Gene mapping
6. How is the DNA ‘recipe’ turned into a human being?
7. Why are we not exact copies of our parents?
8. The future of genome research
9. Further reading / websites
10. Glossary
11. Answers to questions
12. Teachers’ notes

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx726