This fifth edition of a highly visual, accessible textbook for undergraduates taking a first course on cell and molecular biology incorporates research in the field since the first edition was published in 1997, and tries to convey to students the excitement of advances in genomics, epigenetics, and stem cells. Key features of the text include Molecular Medicine and Key Experiment essays, which highlight clinical applications and describe seminal research. As in the previous edition, each chapter includes several short sidebars highlighting areas of interest or medical relevance. Other pedagogical features include chapter questions which require students to think of experimental approaches or to interpret results, as well as review questions. Part I provides background on cell evolution and chemistry, methods for studying cells, and fundamentals of modern molecular biology. Part II focuses on the molecular biology of cells, and Part III contains the core block of chapters on cell structure and function. This part of the text starts with coverage of the nucleus, which puts the molecular biology of Part II in context of the eukaryotic cell, then works outward to the exterior of the cell. Part IV focuses on cell regulation, and concludes with a chapter on cancer. The art program features color explanatory illustrations of processes on every page, as well as b&w and color photos, microimages, and diagnostic images. The book is co-published simultaneously with The American Society for Microbiology. The authors are affiliated with Boston University. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less