The Processes of Life
by Hunter
ISBN: 9780262013055 | Copyright 2009
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Recent research in molecular biology has produced a remarkably detailed understanding of how living things operate. Becoming conversant with the intricacies of molecular biology and its extensive technical vocabulary can be a challenge, though, as introductory materials often seem more like a barrier than an invitation to the study of life. This text offers a concise and accessible introduction to molecular biology, requiring no previous background in science, aimed at students and professionals in fields ranging from engineering to journalism -- anyone who wants to get a foothold in this rapidly expanding field. It will be particularly useful for computer scientists exploring computational biology. A reader who has mastered the information in The Processes of Life is ready to move on to more complex material in almost any area of contemporary biology.
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| Contents (pg. vii) | |
| Preface (pg. xi) | |
| Chapter 1. In the Beginning... (pg. 1) | |
| 1.1 Approaching the Study of Life (pg. 1) | |
| 1.2 Billions and Billions of Creatures . . . (pg. 5) | |
| 1.3 ...All Alike! (pg. 11) | |
| 1.4 Where To from Here (pg. 16) | |
| Chapter 2. Evolution (pg. 19) | |
| 2.1 Inheritance (pg. 23) | |
| 2.2 Variation (pg. 28) | |
| 2.3 Selection (pg. 34) | |
| 2.4 A Brief History of Life on Earth (pg. 41) | |
| 2.5 Evolution and Life (pg. 47) | |
| 2.6 Suggested Readings (pg. 47) | |
| Chapter 3. A Little Bit of Chemistry (pg. 49) | |
| 3.1 Matter (pg. 49) | |
| 3.2 Reactions (pg. 58) | |
| 3.3 Organic Chemistry (pg. 62) | |
| 3.4 Energy and Thermodynamics (pg. 66) | |
| 3.5 Chemistry and Life (pg. 70) | |
| 3.6 Suggested Readings (pg. 71) | |
| Chapter 4. The Structure and Function of Bacteria (pg. 73) | |
| 4.1 Membranes and Boundaries (pg. 75) | |
| 4.2 Cytoplasm and Metabolism (pg. 77) | |
| 4.3 Chromosomes and Genomes (pg. 82) | |
| 4.4 Bacterial Life (pg. 86) | |
| 4.5 Suggested Readings (pg. 88) | |
| Chapter 5. Biological Macromolecules (pg. 91) | |
| 5.1 Protein (pg. 92) | |
| 5.2 Nucleic Acids (pg. 104) | |
| 5.3 Macromolecules and Life (pg. 116) | |
| 5.4 Suggested Readings (pg. 117) | |
| Chapter 6. Eukaryotes (pg. 119) | |
| 6.1 Eukaryotic Gene Structure and Transcription (pg. 120) | |
| 6.2 Components of the Eukaryotic Cell (pg. 124) | |
| 6.3 Lifestyles of the Single-Celled Eukaryote (pg. 134) | |
| 6.4 Suggested Readings (pg. 137) | |
| Chapter 7. Multicellular Organisms and Development (pg. 139) | |
| 7.1 The Origin of Multicellular Organisms (pg. 139) | |
| 7.2 Development (pg. 145) | |
| 7.3 Growth (pg. 159) | |
| 7.4 Multicellular Life and Humanity (pg. 162) | |
| 7.5 Suggested Readings (pg. 163) | |
| Chapter 8. Anatomy, Physiology, and Systems Biology (pg. 165) | |
| 8.1 Homeostasis (pg. 165) | |
| 8.2 Tissues (pg. 168) | |
| 8.3 Organ Systems (pg. 175) | |
| 8.4 Systems Biology (pg. 186) | |
| 8.5 Suggested Readings (pg. 187) | |
| Chapter 9. Disease and Its Treatment (pg. 189) | |
| 9.1 General Principles of Pathology and Therapeutics (pg. 190) | |
| 9.2 Healing (pg. 196) | |
| 9.3 Genetics and Disease (pg. 198) | |
| 9.4 Infectious Disease and Antibiotics (pg. 200) | |
| 9.5 Cardiovascular Disease (pg. 201) | |
| 9.6 Cancer (pg. 205) | |
| 9.7 Drug Discovery (pg. 208) | |
| 9.8 Molecular Medicine (pg. 211) | |
| 9.9 Suggested Readings (pg. 212) | |
| Chapter 10. Molecular Biotechnology (pg. 215) | |
| 10.1 Molecular Instrumentation (pg. 215) | |
| 10.2 Model Organisms: Germs, Worms, Weeds, Bugs, and Rodents (pg. 230) | |
| 10.3 Genetic Engineering (pg. 235) | |
| 10.4 Molecular Biotechnology and Human Life (pg. 238) | |
| 10.5 Suggested Readings (pg. 239) | |
| Chapter 11. Molecular Bioethics (pg. 241) | |
| 11.1 Molecular Biology and Medicine (pg. 242) | |
| 11.2 Molecular Biology and Agriculture (pg. 245) | |
| 11.3 Molecular Biology and Society (pg. 246) | |
| 11.4 Regulation and Control of Molecular Biotechnology (pg. 249) | |
| 11.5 Learning about Life (pg. 250) | |
| 11.6 Suggested Readings (pg. 251) | |
| Glossary (pg. 253) | |
| Index (pg. 285) | |
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