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Genetic Code [Mass Market Paperback]

Isaac Asimov (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The Genetic Code for Dummies! July 18 2004
By Charles Ashbacher
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Once again Asimov is at his best, this time explaining DNA and the underlying genetic code in an easy to understand manner. He starts with the fundamentals of the language of chemistry, the symbols for the elements, diagrams of molecules and the basics of organic chemistry. Using this as the foundation, he then describes the structure of amino acids and how they combine to make proteins.
The next question is of course how cells "remember" the sequence of the amino acids in the proteins used to construct it. This requires a digression into the structure of DNA and the correspondence between the components of the DNA molecule and the protein molecule. Asimov also spends a great deal of time describing the historical record of the discoveries of how characteristics are transferred from a parent to their children. This is an excellent book for learning the fundamentals of these transfers.
The line that I found most interesting is the last paragraph of the introduction.

"This book is an attempt, then, to explain the background of the breakthrough; the full meaning of the breakthrough and its immediate consequences; and, finally, a forecast of what the breakthrough may bring about in the future - what the world of 2004 may be like, as seen through my own wishful eyes."

Now that the referenced year has arrived, how accurate was Asimov's vision? He is right on many things, accurately predicting the use of microorganisms to create proteins. However, he misses the single most significant event in genetics, the complete sequencing of the human genome.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com: 4.5 out of 5 stars  2 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Genetic Code for Dummies! July 18 2004
By Charles Ashbacher - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Once again Asimov is at his best, this time explaining DNA and the underlying genetic code in an easy to understand manner. He starts with the fundamentals of the language of chemistry, the symbols for the elements, diagrams of molecules and the basics of organic chemistry. Using this as the foundation, he then describes the structure of amino acids and how they combine to make proteins.
The next question is of course how cells "remember" the sequence of the amino acids in the proteins used to construct it. This requires a digression into the structure of DNA and the correspondence between the components of the DNA molecule and the protein molecule. Asimov also spends a great deal of time describing the historical record of the discoveries of how characteristics are transferred from a parent to their children. This is an excellent book for learning the fundamentals of these transfers.
The line that I found most interesting is the last paragraph of the introduction.

"This book is an attempt, then, to explain the background of the breakthrough; the full meaning of the breakthrough and its immediate consequences; and, finally, a forecast of what the breakthrough may bring about in the future - what the world of 2004 may be like, as seen through my own wishful eyes."

Now that the referenced year has arrived, how accurate was Asimov's vision? He is right on many things, accurately predicting the use of microorganisms to create proteins. However, he misses the single most significant event in genetics, the complete sequencing of the human genome.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Asimov's Fundementals on Genetics Feb 15 2006
By analog - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This being my first book by Isaac Asimov, I have become more knowledgeable about Genetics in 180 pages of scientific study. Isaac Asimov introduces reader to the basis of Genetics by first introducing the replication of cells. He then goes on to chemistry; we get to know elements and equations that create molecules. As we get to know these elements, we learn about the purposes of proteins and what their chemical compositions are. Understanding about proteins and elements, he goes farther into the idea of proteins, which requires the understanding of the "brain" of the cell and DNA. This book would certainly fill the want for a good understanding of genetics. Near the end of the book he forecasts what will come of the study of genetics in 2004. Not being an expert, he has predicted many events that have seem correct, but to those who study in the field, this may be different.
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