Includes bibliographical references and index.

A preview of the cell -- The chemistry of the cell -- The macromolecules of the cell -- Cells and organelles -- Bioenergetics : the flow of energy in the cell -- Enzymes : the catalysts of life -- Membranes : their structure, function, and chemistry -- Transport across membranes : overcoming the permeability barrier -- Chemotrophic energy metabolism : glycolysis and fermentation -- Chemotrophic energy metabolism : aerobic respiration -- Phototrophic energy metabolism : photosynthesis -- The endomembrane system and peroxisomes -- Signal transduction mechanisms : I. electrical and synaptic signaling in neurons -- Signal transduction mechanisms : II. messengers and receptors --

Cytoskeletal systems -- Cellular movement : motility and contractility -- Beyond the cell : cell adhesions, cell junctions, and extracellular structures -- The structural basis of cellular information : dna, chromosomes, and the nucleus -- The cell cycle, dna replication, and mitosis -- Sexual reproduction, meiosis, and genetic recombination -- Gene expression: I. the genetic code and transcription -- Gene expression: II. protein synthesis and sorting -- The regulation of gene expression -- Cancer cells.