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The earlier version of this book was Cell Biology, first published in 1979. In the present book, Molecular Cell Biololgy, the pattern of the chapters is the same, but they have been regrouped into eight units. Cell Biology still remains an integrated discipline, covering Cytology, Cytogenetics, Cell Physiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics. The emphasis has, however, shifted to a molecular viewpoint of these fields. The earlier approach of visualizing the cell as an organized collection of interacting molecules has been maintained and emphasized.
A historical perspective of the development of science helps the tudent to appreciate the evoloution of the basic principles and is also motivational. This has been implemented in the present book by the inclusion of the great reakthrough experiments that advanced the biological sciences. However, space restrictions have made it necessary to give only the principles of many experiments. A chronological summary of the major discoveries in the topic concerned has been given at the beginning of each chapter.
The earlier phase of the discovery of many scientific principles is characterized by proposing models. These represent the state of knowledge of the subject at that time. Many such models have been included in this book, with the rider that these are not necessarily the final views on the subject. However, proposing of models is still an integral part of the discovery process.
An overview of the different units of the book, their contents, and the current thrust areas of research therein are givern below.
UNIT I, CELL CHEMISTRY, gives and overview of the principal biological macromolecule types: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, DNA and RNA. Particular emphasis has been placed on RNA because of the revival of the RNA World concept, and the many later forms of RNA discovered. Current work on micro RNA functions and RNA interference (RNAi) has been summarized.
UNIT II, THE NUCLEUS, includes the general organization of the nucleus, chromoscomes and genes. Work on the structure and functions of the nuclear envelop (particularly the nuclear pore complex) and chromatin structure has been emphasized.
UNIT III, THE CELL SURFACE, includes the structure and functions of the plasma membrane, cell interactions, cell motility and the cell wall. Cell membrane current research includes the structure and functions of the membrane, channels, permeases and transporters. Cell interactions, another dominant area of research, has been covered in three separate chapters, cell Junctions, Cell-Cell Interaction and Cell-Matrix Adhesion. Three other important fields, Cell Motility (cilia, flagella, basal bodies and centrioles), Cell Wall and Cytoskeleton are covered in separate chapters, reflecting the large number of papers and reviews.
UNIT IV, INTRACELLULAR MEMBRANE COMPARTMENTS, includes cell organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi comples, lysosomes and vocules, and microbodies/peroxisomes, glyoxysomes, glycosomes, hydrogenosomes and mitosomes). An integrated functioning of these organelles is included in a separate chapter, Protein Trafficking, in view of the profuse literature on protein and membrane traffic control.ISBN - 9789350974766
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