Focusing on the structure and function of the cell, this radically new approach to cell biology offers a comprehensive, full-color look at the subject and the latest developments in the field. It emphasises specific macromolecular interactions and their relation to cellular structure and function, and covers such areas as chemical building blocks, assembly, major organelles and components of the cell, cell cycle, cellular regulation, gene expression, viruses, energy interconversions, and more.

Features

The format of this book was developed by experts in cell biology and field-tested as the basis for a course taught at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine for over 20 years.
Its concise discussions and relatively short length still cover the essential information found in larger texts, but with a more manageable, readable approach.
Over 400 outstanding illustrations present concepts in clear diagrams and full-color drawings that show all structures from the molecular level through histology and gross anatomy drawn to-scale for the first time ever.
Completely up-to-date scientific information incorporates the latest techniques and interpretation of data into the chapters.

Contents

Chapter 1 General Principles of Cellular Organization


Basic Chemical and Physical Concepts

Chapter 2 Molecular Structures
Chapter 3 Basic Biophysical Concepts
Chapter 4 Macromolecular Assembly
Chapter 5 Research Strategies


Membrane Structure and Function

Chapter 6 Membrane Structure and Dynamics
Chapter 7 Membrane Pumps
Chapter 8 Membrane Carriers
Chapter 9 Membrane Channels
Chapter 10 Membrane Physiology


Storage and Expression of Genetic Information

Chapter 11 Introduction to Nuclear and Chromosomal Structure and Function
Chapter 12 Chromosome Organization
Chapter 13 DNA Packaging in Chromatin and Chromosomes
Chapter 14 Gene Expression
Chapter 15 RNA Processing
Chapter 16 Nuclear Structure and Dynamics


Biogenesis, Traffic and Functions of Cellular Membrane Systems

Chapter 17 Introduction to Membrane Compartments
Chapter 18 Protein Synthesis and Folding in the Cytoplasm
Chapter 19 Post-Translational Targeting of Proteins to Organelles
Chapter 20 Biosynthetic Processes in the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi Apparatus
Chapter 21 Vesicular Traffic from the Endoplasmic Reticulum through the Golgi Apparatus
Chapter 22 Trans-Golgi Network and Beyond
Chapter 23 Endocytosis
Chapter 24 Degradation of Cellular Components


Reception and Transduction of Environmental Information

Chapter 25 Introduction to Signaling Pathways
Chapter 26 Plasma Membrane Receptors
Chapter 27 Protein Hardware for Signaling
Chapter 28 Second Messengers
Chapter 29 Integration of Signals


Cellular Interactions and The Extracellular Matrix

Chapter 30 Introduction to Cellular Adhesion and the Extracellular Matrix
Chapter 31 Extracellular Matrix Molecules
Chapter 32 Cellular Adhesion
Chapter 33 Intercellular Junctions
Chapter 34 Specialized Connective Tissues


Cytoskeleton and Cellular Motility

Chapter 35 Overview of the Cytoskeleton and Cellular Motility
Chapter 36 Actin and Actin-Binding Proteins
Chapter 37 Microtubules and Microtubule-Associated Proteins
Chapter 38 Intermediate Filaments
Chapter 39 Motor Proteins
Chapter 40 Intracellular Motility
Chapter 41 Cellular Motility
Chapter 42 Muscles


Cell Cycle

Chapter 43 Introduction to the Cell Cycle
Chapter 44 The G1 Phase and Cell Cycle Regulation
Chapter 45 The S Phase and DNA Replication
Chapter 46 The G2 Phase and Control of Entry into Mitosis
Chapter 47 Mitosis
Chapter 48 Meiosis
Chapter 49 Programmed Cell Death