Summary
Cells are considered one of the most basic units of life, yet their structure, processes, and reproduction are intricate and complex. From plasma membranes to cell organelles to the macromolecules that are the brick and mortar of a cell, structure is an important aspect to maintain the life processes of a cell. Some of these processes, including transfer of information from DNA to RNA to protein and the control of gene expressions, are necessary functions that aid in cell reproduction. In Cell Structure, Processes, and Reproduction, Third Edition, readers will explore how the major characteristics of a cell are crucial in enabling these tiny units to carry out specialized functions in multicellular and single-celled organisms.
About the Author(s)
Kristi Lew is a science writer who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. She earned a degree in biochemistry, with a minor in genetics, from North Carolina State University. Before opening her writing business, she taught high school science and worked in clinical genetics laboratories, where she evaluated chromosomes for abnormalities that would indicate inherited disorders or the presence of cancer. Lew is the author of more than 65 books and other educational materials designed for students and teachers.
Phill Jones earned a Ph.D. in physiology/pharmacology from the University of California, San Diego. After completing postdoctoral training at Stanford University School of Medicine, he joined the department of biochemistry at the University of Kentucky Medical Center as an assistant professor. Here, he taught topics in molecular biology and medicine, and researched aspects of gene expression. He later earned a JD at the University of Kentucky College of Law and worked ten years as a patent attorney, specializing in biological, chemical, and medical inventions. Dr. Jones is now a full-time writer. He also writes and teaches an online course in forensic science for writers.