This text features lively, clear writing and exceptional illustrations, making it the ideal textbook for a first course in both cell and molecular biology. Thoroughly revised and updated, the Fifth Edition maintains its focus on the latest cell biology research. For the first time ever, Essential Cell Biology will come with access to Smartwork5, Norton’s innovative online homework platform, creating a more complete learning experience.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Cells: The Fundamental Units of Life

Chapter 2 - Chemical Components of Cells

Chapter 3 - Energy, Catalysis, and Biosynthesis

Chapter 4 - Protein Structure and Function

Chapter 5 - DNA and Chromosomes

Chapter 6 - DNA Replication and Repair

Chapter 7 - From DNA to Protein: How Cells Read the Genome

Chapter 8 - Control of Gene Expression

Chapter 9 - How Genes and Genomes Evolve

Chapter 10 - Analyzing the Structure and Function of Genes

Chapter 11 - Membrane Structure

Chapter 12 - Transport Across Cell Membranes

Chapter 13 - How Cells Obtain Energy from Food

Chapter 14 - Energy Generation in Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

Chapter 15 - Intracellular Compartments and Protein Transport

Chapter 16 - Cell Signaling

Chapter 17 - Cytoskeleton

Chapter 18 - The Cell-Division Cycle

Chapter 19 - Sexual Reproduction and Genetics

Chapter 20 - Cell Communities: Tissues, Stem Cells, and Cancer

Answers

About the Authors

Bruce Alberts received his PhD from Harvard University and is the Chancellor’s Leadership Chair in Biochemistry and Biophysics for Science and Education, University of California, San Francisco. He was the editor in chief of Science magazine from 2008 until 2013, and for 12 years he served as president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (1993–2005).

Rebecca Heald is an American professor of cell and developmental biology. She is currently a professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. In May 2019, she was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Karen Hopkin received her PhD in biochemistry from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and is a science writer in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is a regular columnist for The Scientist and a contributor to Scientific American's daily podcast, "60-Second Science."

Alexander Johnson received his PhD from Harvard University and is a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

David Morgan received his PhD from the University of California, San Francisco, and is a professor in the Department of Physiology as well as the vice dean for research for the School of Medicine. Dave is a fellow of the Royal Society of London.