This volume is the work of the same exceptional team who wrote the groundbreaking and universally acclaimed text Molecular Biology of the Cell, now in its Third Edition. Essential Cell Biology was written in response to many professors who expressed a need for an introductory textbook for undergraduates that was not as difficult as texts for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. In Essential Cell Biology, early chapters review basic concepts in chemistry and biochemistry to provide the necessary understanding of the essential processes and mechanisms covered later in the text. The full-color schematics have been meticulously constructed specifically for students taking a basic course.

Essential Cell Biology has been carefully geared to introductory students, without any sacrifice of scientific rigor. The books conceptual approach, in which the essential facts are presented in their biological context, is ideal for engaging and motivating students new to molecular and cell biology. The book is written especially for undergraduates in biological sciences, but its content can be easily understood and absorbed by advanced secondary school students who need a basic introduction to the essential topics in modern biology.

• Problems and answers throughout the book complement the text and stimulate the students curiosity.
• Quick questions within each chapter enable students to instantly review what they have just read.
• End-of-chapter self-tests of more challenging questions let students gauge their grasp of the material theyve covered and whet their appetite for more information. Sixty-two pages of full answers and explanations are provided at the end of the book.
• Easy-to-understand panels illuminate the principles of microscopy, the composition of biological macromolecules, the basis of hydrophobicity, the glycolytic pathway, principles of genetics and many more topics.
• Full-color artwork and many color photographs and electron micrographs enliven and illustrate the text.
• A detailed glossary helps students master the specialized vocabulary of modern biology.
• ECB Interactive CD-ROM available in all copies of Essential Cell Biology.

Very readable and flows logically. I often marveled at the ability of the authors to communicate difficult concepts clearly and concisely. The concrete examples given repeatedly answer the relevance question.
-Michael Gray, Bob Jones University

The pace and tone make the chapter very clear. in addition, I found the writing style made the chapter very interesting and I felt that each section followed logically from the previous section. The artwork is excellent. I liked the inclusion of the questions in the text....this will help the students by making them problem-solve on the spot.
-Linda Matsuuchi University of British Columbia

impression of the book is very good, and I am very enthusiastic.
Heinz G. de Couet, University of Hawaii at Manoa