Cell Biology

Designed for courses in Cell Biology offered at the Sophmore/Junior level, Cell Biology gives students the tools they need to understand to make the connection between cell biology and experimental data. Karp explores core concepts in considerable depth, and presents experimental detail when it helps to explain and reinforce the concept being explained. This sixth edition continues to offer an exceedingly clear presentation and excellent art program, both of which have received high praise in prior editions.

“The beautiful supporting figures really bring to life the dynamic mechanisms of cell biology… The data tables are simple and concise and don’t bog the reader down with endless lists of facts… Dr. Karp’s book imparts a “human perspective” to a cell science that is traditionally grounded in experimental approach. Students get a good feel for both, which creates a better understanding and appreciation of what cell biology is all about.”
Dr. Kelly BéruBé, PhD
Cell Biologist, Cardiff University, Wales, UK



"As with previous editions of the popular textbook ‘Cell Biology’, this latest version aims to breach the gap between scientific principle and experimentation, whilst appealing to students taking an introductory course in cell biology. The author achieves this by exploring and discussing the experimental approach and techniques used to determine the relevant biological concepts. Moreover, Karp tries to link key biological findings to human disease and treatment; in particular, the inclusion of information boxes dedicated to human perspectives serves to further aid students in this process. Another key feature of the text is the inclusion of numerous detailed, clear schematics, further facilitating the explanation of the biological mechanisms in question. Furthermore, these schematics are often supplemented by images and tables in the text or by movies that can be viewed online.

The content throughout the text is clearly presented in 18 well-structured sections. The first 17 chapters cover key principles of cell biology, from basic cell properties to more complex topics, such as cell signaling and immune cell activity. Additionally, the chapter structure contains review sections to continually assess subject understanding, and concludes with a synopsis containing the key points as well as a list of useful references of relatively current literature for more detailed further study if required. Particularly noteworthy though is the final chapter, which concentrates on ‘Methods in Cell Biology’. This chapter not only explains the fundamentals of molecular techniques and the use of specific pieces of laboratory equipment, but applies the basic science of previous chapters to explain current experimental techniques.

In comparison to the 5th edition, the text has been completely updated to include more information on recent advances, such as RNA silencing and fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, many of the diagrams have been re-worked, updated or completely replaced by new schematics. In general, these changes have resulted in a text that is clearly written, with a logical progression of the themes throughout each chapter. The author also achieves a good balance between text and diagrams; the chapters do not appear to be overladen with text, but do offer relatively comprehensive detail on topics of increasing complexity. However, a minority of the schematics, especially in later chapters, could be considered too complicated for this level of study.

Thus, ‘Cell Biology’ is a good quality textbook, which is ideal for students in their earlier years at university who would benefit from the clear explanation and presentation that this text provides. The inclusion of some experimental data also makes it an excellent base for students to start perusing the scientific literature themselves, and moreover would also be beneficial as a starting point for scientists delving into new areas of this subject."

Reviewed by KIRI TAN and PHILIPPA TUCKER, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, UK


1 Introduction to the Study of Cell and Molecular Biology.
1.1 The Discovery of Cells.

1.2 Basic Properties of Cells.

1.3 Two Fundamentally Different Classes of Cells.

1.4 Viruses.

2 The Chemical Basis of Life.

2.1 Covalent Bonds.

2.2 Noncovalent Bonds.

2.3 Acids, Bases, and Buffers.

2.4 The Nature of Biological Molecules.

2.5 Four Types of Biological Molecules.

2.6 The Formation of Complex Macromolecular Structures.

3 Bioenergetics, Enzymes, and Metabolism.

3.1 Bioenergetics.

3.2 Enzymes as Biological Catalysts.

3.3 Metabolism.

4 The Structure of Function of the Plasma Membrane.

4.1 An Overview of Membrane Functions.

4.2 A Brief History of Studies on Plasma Membrane Structure.

4.3 The Chemical Composition of Membranes.

4.4 The Structure and Functions of Membrane Proteins.

4.5 Membrane Lipids and Membrane Fluidity.

4.6 The Dynamic Nature of the Plasma Membrane.

4.7 The Movement of Substances Across Cell Membranes.

4.8 Membrane Potentials and Nerve Impulses.

5 Aerobic Respiration and the Mitochondrion.

5.1 Mitochondrial Structure and Function.

5.2 Oxidative Metabolism in the Mitochondrion.

5.3 The Role of Mitochondria in the Formation of ATP.

5.4 Translocation of Protons and Establishment of a Proton-Motive Force.

5.5 The Machinery for ATP Formation.

5.6 Peroxisomes.

6 Photosynthesis and the Chloroplast.

6.1 Chloroplast Structure and Function.

6.2 An Overview of Photosynthetic Metabolism.

6.3 The Absorption of Light.

6.4 Photosynthetic Units and Reaction Centers.

6.5 Photophosphorylation.

6.6 Carbon Dioxide Fixation and the Synthesis of Carbohydrate.

7 Interactions Between Cells and Their Environment.

7.1 The Extracellular Space.

7.2 Interactions of Cells With Extracellular Materials.

7.3 Interactions of Cells With Other Cells.

7.4 Tight Junctions: Sealing the Extracellular Space.

7.5 GAP Junctions and Plasmodesmata: Mediating Intercellular Communication.

8 Cytoplasmic Membrane Systems: Structure, Function, and Membrane Trafficking.

8.1 An Overview of the Endomembrane System.

8.2 A Few Approaches to the Study of Endomembranes.

8.3 The Endoplasmic Reticulum.

8.4 The Golgi Complex.

8.5 Types of Vesicle Transport and Their Functions.

8.6 Lysosomes.

8.7 Plant Cell Vacuoles.

8.8 The Endocytic Pathway: Moving Membrane and Materials into the Cell Interior.

8.9 Posttranslational Uptake of Proteins By Peroxisomes, Mitochondria, and Chloroplasts.

9 The Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility.

9.1 Overview of the Major Functions of the Cytoskeleton.

9.2 The Study of the Cytoskeleton.

9.3 Microtubules.

9.4 Intermediate Filaments.

9.5 Microfilaments.

9.6 Muscle Contractility.

9.7 Nonmuscle Motility.

10 The Nature of the Gene and the Genome.

10.1 The Concept of a Gene as a Unit of Inheritance.

10.2 Chromosomes: The Physical Carriers of the Genes.

10.3 The Chemical Nature of the Gene.

10.4 The Structure of the Genome.

10.5 The Stability of the Genome.

10.6 Sequencing Genomes: The Footprints of Biological Evolution.

11 Gene Expression: From Transcription to Translation.

11.1 The Relationship Between Genes and Proteins.

11.2 An Overview of Transcription in Both Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells.

11.3 Synthesis and Processing of Ribosomal and Transfer RNAs.

11.4 Synthesis and Processing of Messenger RNAs.

11.5 Small Regulatory RNAs and RNA Silencing Pathways.

11.6 Encoding Genetic Information.

11.7 Decoding the Condons: The Role of Transfer RNAs.

11.8 Translating Genetic Information.

12 The Cell Nucleus and the Control of Gene Expression.

12.1 The Nucleus of a Eukaryotic Cell.

12.2 Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria.

12.3 Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes.

12.4 Transcriptional-Level Control.

12.5 Processing-Level Control.

12.6 Translational-Level Control.

12.7 Postranslational Control Determining Protein Stability.

13 DNA Replication and Repair.

13.1 DNA Replication.

13.2 DNA Repair.

13.3 Between Replication and Repair.

14 Cellular Reproduction.

14.1 The Cell Cycle.

14.2 M Phase: Mitosis and Cytokinesis.

14.3 Meiosis.

15 Cell Signaling and Signal Transduction: Communication Between Cells.

15.1 The Basic Elements of Cell Signaling Systems.

15.2 A Survey of Extracellular Messengers and Their Receptors.

15.3 G Protein-Coupled Receptors and Their Second Messengers.

15.4 Protein-Tyrosine Phosphorylation as a Mechanism for Signal Transduction.

15.5 The Role of Calcium as an Intracellular Messenger.

15.6 Convergence, Divergence, and Crosstalk Among Different Signaling Pathways.

15.7 The Role of No As An Intercellular Messenger.

15.8 Apoptosis (Programmed Cell Death).

16 Cancer.

16.1 Basic Properties of a Cancer Cell.

16.2 The Causes of Cancer.

16.3 The Genetics of Cancer.

16.4 New Strategies for Combating Cancer.

17 The Immune Response.

17.1 An Overview of the Immune Response.

17.2 The Clonal Selection Theory As It Applies To B Cells.

17.3 T Lymphocytes: Activation and Mechanism of Action.

17.4 Selected Topics on the Cellular and Molecular Basis of Immunity.

18 Techniques in Cell and Molecular Biology.

18.1 The Light Microscope.

18.2 Transmission Electron Microscopy.

18.3 Scanning Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy.

18.4 The Use of Radioisotopes.

18.5 Cell Culture.

18.6 The Fractionation of a Cell's Contents by Differential Centrifugation.

18.7 Isolation, Purification, and Fractionation of Proteins.

18.8 Determining the Structure of Proteins and Multisubunit Complexes.

18.9 Purification of Nucleic Acids,

18.10 Fractionation of Nucleic Acids.

18.11 Nucleic Acid Hybridization.

18.12 Chemical Synthesis of DNA.

18.13 Recombinant DNA Technology.

18.14 Enzymatic Amplification of DNA by PCR.

18.15 DNA Sequencing.

18.16 DNA Libraries.

18.17 DNA Transfer Into Eukaryotic Cells and Mammalian Embryos.

18.18 Determining Eukaryotic Gene Function by Gene Elimination or Silencing.

18.19 The Use of Antibodies.

Glossary.

Additional Readings.

Index.