Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Part 1: The world of the cell: an overview of structure and function: 1. A preview of the cell -- 2. The chemistry of the cell -- 3. The macromolecules of the cell -- 4. Cells and organelles -- 5. Bioenergetics: the flow of energy in the cell -- 6. Enzymes: the catalysts of life -- Part 2: Membranes and cell signaling: 7. Membranes: their structure, function, and chemistry -- 8. Transport across membranes: overcoming the permeability barrier -- 9. Signal transduction mechanisms: 1. electrical signals in nerve cells -- 10. Signal transduction mechanisms: 2. messengers and receptors -- 11. Beyond the cell: extracellular structures, cell adhesion, and cell junctions -- 12. Intracellular compartments: the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, endosomes, Lysosomes, and peroxisomes -- Part 3: Energy flow in cell: 13. Chemotrophic energy metabolism: glycolysis and fermentation -- 14. Chemotrophic energy metabolism: aerobic respiration -- 15. Phototropic energy metabolism: photosynthesis -- Part 4: Information flow in cell: 16. The structural basis of cellular information: DNA, chromosomes, and nucleus -- 17. The cell cycle: DNA replication, Mitosis, and cancer -- 18. Sexual reproduction, meiosis, and genetic recombination -- 19. Gene expression: 1. the genetic code and transcription -- 20. Gene expression: 2. protein synthesis and sorting -- 21. The regulation of gene expression -- Part 5: The cytoskeleton and cell motility: 22. Cytoskeletal systems -- 23. Cellular movement: motility and contractility.