An overview of cells and cell research -- The composition of cells -- Cell metabolism -- Fundamentals of molecular biology -- The organization and sequences of cellular genomes -- Replication, maintenance, and rearrangements of genomic DNA -- RNA synthesis and processing -- Protein synthesis, processing, and regulation -- The nucleus -- Protein sorting and transport : the endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, and lysosomes -- Bioenergetics and metabolism : mitochondria, chloroplasts, and peroxisomes -- The cytoskeleton and cell movement -- The plasma membrane -- Cell walls, the extracellular matrix, and cell interactions -- Cell signaling -- The cell cycle -- Cell death and cell renewal -- Cancer.

Designed for use in shorter introductory cellular biology courses, The Cell: A Molecular Approach presents current comprehensive science in a readable and cohesive text. The sixth edition retains the overall organization, themes, and special features that made the previous edition so popular, but has been updated throughout to reflect major advances in the field. The Cell: A Molecular Approach will be supported by a companion website (www.sinauer.com/cooper6e), which offers a wealth of study and review material as well as rich multimedia resources including: quizzes, animations of key concepts and processes, chapter summaries, interactive micrographs and a collection of video microscopy showing biological processes in action.