The Processes of Life

by Hunter

ISBN: 9780262299947 | 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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