Covers the story of genetics, from Mendel's first experiment with the humble pea through to Dolly the sheep and the Human Genome project currently running today. It contains clear explanations of everything you need to know.
In just ten weeks, a female fruit fly can produce more descendants than the entire human population. Some are born without genitals, dubbed "Ken and Barbie," while others have legs on their heads. These flies can be conditioned through rewards and punishment, follow a 24-hour work-rest cycle, and even develop addictions, such as to crack cocaine. Males possess toxic semen, posing risks to females, as excessive mating can be fatal. With over 1,000 species in Hawaii alone, the fruit fly is an unsung hero in scientific history, yet its significant contributions remain largely unrecognized. This book aims to rectify that by exploring modern biology—from genetics to ecology—through the life of the fruit fly. In a captivating and original narrative, the author guides readers through the fly's life cycle, linking each stage to key biological concepts. From its development from embryo to adult, to insights on memory, learning, and aging, the text illustrates how this seemingly insignificant creature has shaped our understanding of human existence. Ultimately, it provides a comprehensive introduction to biology, evolution, and genetics, highlighting the fruit fly as an icon of modern science and a lens into our biological reality.
Studierte Biologie und Evolutionsgenetik in London und Cardiff. Nach seiner Promotion war er mehrere Jahre am University College London tätig. Seit 1996 arbeitet er als freier Autor; er schreibt unter anderem für den „New Scientist“, „BBC Wildlife Magazine“ und den „Guardian“. Er lebt in London. Hubert Mania, geboren 1954. Studium der Germanistik und Anglistik. Danach selbständiger Konzertveranstalter und Manager eines Kulturzentrums. 1987 erschien bei Rowohlt sein Roman «Scintilla Seelenfunke». Übersetzung populärwissenschaftlicher Bücher, Mitredakteur bei Stephen Hawkings Büchern «Eine kurze Geschichte der Zeit» und «Das Universum in der Nussschale». Hubert Mania lebt als Autor und Übersetzer in Braunschweig. Weitere Bücher bei Rowohlt: «Gauß. Eine Biographie» (2008), «Kettenreaktion. Die Geschichte der Atombombe»(2010).