The revolution in genetics represents one of the most amazing expansions of knowledge in the history of science. Incredible advances such as the mapping of the human genome are continuing to unlock the mysteries of heredity. This title gives students the power to understand this fascinating area of biology by starting with the basics. The science behind each concept is explained with clear text and a wealth of informative illustrations, color images, and sidebars. Biographical material on Gregor Mendel, the first person to describe how traits are passed from generation to generation, shows readers how the genetic revolution began. The text fulfills the requirements of the Common Core by helping readers learn the meaning of key terms as they are used in the context of biology. It also helps readers synthesize textual and visual information into a coherent understanding of genetic processes.