Summary
Studying the cell helps us improve our understanding of the living world, plant and animal physiology, genetics, and biochemistry. This wealth of information has revolutionized the biological and medical sciences, leading to a dramatic reduction in mortalities due to infectious diseases and medical disorders. The war on cancer—launched almost 40 years ago—is finally approaching a stage where all cancers will be curable. Improved treatment and prognosis is now possible for many other disorders, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis. Improved knowledge of the cell has made it possible for researchers to isolate and culture stem cells, which may be used to treat spinal cord trauma and degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
The Cell, Updated Edition contains new and revised material throughout, accompanied by full-color photographs and line drawings. Chapters in this timely resource cover the recent controversy over the teaching of creationism in public schools, life on other planets, bacterial populations, and the potential threat of certain pathogenic species, as well as a detailed discussion of eukaryote structure and function. Other chapters discuss the many cells that make up the human body as well as the crucial role that photosynthesis plays during the formation of the Earth's biosphere.
About the Author(s)
Joseph Panno, Ph.D., holds a degree in biology from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and specializes in molecular biology and physiology. He has taught undergraduate biology courses and has published in numerous peer-reviewed publications, including Cytometry, Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, and Molecular Brain Research.