Introduction to Animal Cytogenetics

"Introduction to Animal Cytogenetics" presents animal cytology as a science of seeing and interpreting chromosome form and behaviour and, above all, of appreciating its evolutionary significance. Its principal objective is to help students develop a basic understanding and confidence on all matters relating to animal chromosomes. Molecular biology aspects are introduced whenever appropriate and helpful. Students should want to understand the developmental and evolutionary significance of molecular mechanisms that form the basis of visible structures and adaptive processes, and will learn more about DNA by seeing it in action than by studying it from the base upwards. Following the main series of chapters, there are two special sections that may provide some insight into the human and clinical sides of cytogenetics and give the student a flavour for what goes on in the field. Medical cytogenetics and cancer cytogenetics are treated with a principles and strategies approach, basically whetting the students' appetites for chromosomal and cellular ways of tackling these very complex and difficult areas of medical sciences. The text is supplemented by comprehensively documented protocols for four simple laboratory practical sessions, each of which has undergone extensive field trials and can be relied on to provide an interesting and challenging learning exercise. The protocols include all the information that is likely to be required by the teacher or laboratory assistant for setting up the practical class and by the student for carrying out the work and evaluating the results.