Principles of Development

by JimSmith (Author), Lewis Wolpert (Author), PeterLawrence (Author), ElizabethRobertson (Author), TomJessell (Author), ElliotMeyerowitz (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2006

  $4.21

  The process of biological development is an amazing feat of tightly-regulated cellular growth and patterning, powerful enough to result in the emergence of a highly-complex living organism from just a single fertilized egg. But how does biological development occur? How can a single fertilized egg give rise to the limbs, organs, and other tissues that comprise a living organism? Principles of Development reveals the universal principles which govern the process of development. Written by one of the most influential developmental biologists of our time, Lewis Wolpert, it focuses on those systems that best illuminate common principles, demystifying the complex yet intricate processes through which biological development occurs. With co-authors whose expertise span the discipline, Principles of Development combines a careful exposition of the subject with insights from some of the world's pioneering developmental biology researchers, taking the student from the fundamentals through to latest discoveries in the field.Assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, and delivered in the lucid, engaging style for which Wolpert is renowned, Principles of Development is an invaluable resource for all students encountering this fascinating subject for the first time, and for the duration of their studies. Online resource centre: Lecturer resources: Illustrations from the book available to download, to facilitate lecture preparation. Student resources: Multiple choice questions for students to check their understanding. Concept questions for students to explore their understanding of the key principles. Web links to further information resources (including web-based exercises) to encourage independent learning.

• Used

  Paperback
  2001

  $5.33

  Principles of Development is designed for undergraduates. The emphasis is on principles and key concepts. Central to the authors' approach is that development can best be understood by understanding how genes control cell behaviour. They have assumed that students have some basic familiarity with cell biology and genetics, but all key concepts, like the control of gene activity, are explained in the text, and an extensive glossary is provided too. The authors have resisted the temptation to cover every aspect of development and have instead focused on those systems that best illuminate common principles. Indeed, a theme that runs throughout the book is that there are universal principles governing development. At all stages what they have included has been guided by what they believe undergraduates should know about development. The focus of the text is on vertebrates and Drosophila, but not to the exclusion of other systems, such as the nematode and the sea urchin, where they best illustrate a concept. An important feature of the book is the inclusion of the development of plants, which is usually neglected in other textbooks, but has some unique and important features. Principles are presented as clearly as possible and numerous summaries are provided, both in words and in pictures. The illustrations in the book are a special feature, and have been carefully designed and chosen to illustrate both experiments and mechanisms. This book includes: updated throughout with the very latest research. Includes 32 completely new figures. Improved text design makes the book easier to read. Chapter 3 is now clearer on the comparative basis of body axis specification in vertebrates. Chapter 4 contains a longer and improved explanation of somite generation and differentiation. A reorganized Chapter 9 deals with the relationship of gene expression to cell differentiation in a more simplified way. There is an important addition of material highlighting functional differentiation of a range of new vertebrate tissues and structures in Chapter 10 (the vertebrate heart and vascular system, lung and tooth, with skin development moved forward from Chapter 14), whilst more is included on arthropod neuroblast and compound eye development in Chapter 11. In the final chapter, new pages are added to support the section on phylogeny and functional morphogenesis in evolution, including storylines on snakes and kiwis. There is also a discussion on variable growth rates in homologous structures and the evolution of the gastrula. This is all material, which increases the book's ability to enthuse students about the relationships of development to evolution - something which really does get them going!

• Used

  Hardcover
  1998

  $5.33

  This textbook has been written by one of the most influential development biologists of the 20th century, Lewis Wolpert. Developmental biology is at the core of all biology and deals with the processes by which the genes in the fertilized egg control cell behaviour in the embryo and so determine its pattern, its form, and much of its behaviour. This book emphasizes the principles and key developments in order to provide an approach and style that will appeal to students at all levels.