Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fourth Edition: A Problems Approach

Book Description

Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fourth Edition: A Problems Approach is designed to help students appreciate the ways in which experiments and simple calculations can lead to an understanding of how cells work. Chapters are subdivided as in Molecular Biology of the Cell and provide a review of key terms, test for understanding basic concepts, and research-based problems. Chapters 1-8 and 10-18 from Molecular Biology of the Cell are covered in this way.
The new edition of A Problems Approach (formerly titled The Problems Book) is completely reorganized and revised to match the Fourth Edition of Molecular Biology of the Cell. Detailed answers are provided in the book for half the problems to help students learn how to analyze experimental observations and draw conclusions from them. Problems without the solution contained in the book are useful for homework assignments and as exam questions. Answers to these problems are provided to instructors upon request.

Customer Reviews:

bio book.......2007-09-15

the book is amazing. i got it in great shape, and aside from it weighing 7 lbs...it's a great book for a biology class.

Best Science Book I've Ever Read.......2007-07-09

If you are taking a cell biology book, this is the book to read. Even if your instructor assigns a lighter book, you can still read this and benefit. It's one of those rare books that go into the details while still being readible. It's incredibly well organized and well written.

A thousand carats text!.......2007-06-27

The undeniable importance of the molecular biology has achieved in the last two decades such transcendental outburst of energy, advances and extraordinary finfings that hardly we should devote entirely to be informed about the multiple consequences of its profound implications.

This book is a true effort worthy to admire, because it has been written with this kind spirit of sharing the knowledge wothout pretensions or any other considerations.

Once you open it, you will be absoltely engaged due its relevant interest, because of the fact there`s a lot of secondnary readings and discoveries all over the world that it should be be stated of this way. May one not being aware about the structure of the cell and the mesmerizing devices the nature employs to show us its lavish dynamics.

Additionally the support material of this CD ROM simply is priceless. I insist, you don't need to be an expert in this issue to start.

Decide by yourself and please, dont wait so long.

Molecurar biology of the cell.......2007-05-18

It's a very complete and updated book about all items refered to molecular biology of the cell. I specially use it for all the information I need for the 1st year of Medicine School.
Very recomendable

This book is awesome........2007-05-17

It really gets you into the bioscientific mind type of reasoning.

Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach

Average customer rating:

A Third-Rate Book at Best
Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach
Setting the standard for other physical chemistry texts
Well Approached Text Book for PChem
another "microscopic" book on Physical Chemistry

Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach
Donald A. McQuarrie , and John D. Simon
Manufacturer: University Science Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0935702997

Book Description

As the first modern physical chemistry textbook to cover quantum mechanics before thermodynamics and kinetics, this book provides a contemporary approach to the study of physical chemistry. By beginning with quantum chemistry, students will learn the fundamental principles upon which all modern physical chemistry is built. The text includes a special set of "MathChapters" to review and summarize the mathematical tools required to master the material Thermodynamics is simultaneously taught from a bulk and microscopic viewpoint that enables the student to understand how bulk properties of materials are related to the properties of individual constituent molecules. This new text includes a variety of modern research topics in physical chemistry as well as hundreds of worked problems and examples.

Customer Reviews:

A Third-Rate Book at Best.......2007-10-07

This is one of the poorest textbooks I've ever owned. It is wordy yet it explains very little. And there is one really annoying aspect to this book:
The authors only ever introduce an equation once in the text. From thereon, they refer to that equation as "equation 17-1" or whatever number they designate it. So you're constantly having to turn back pages and entire chapters just to find out what stupid equation they are talking about. They also embed all the important tables within random chapters instead of being in an appendix, so good luck finding any constants or any other figures that would be put in a table. I hate this book with a passion. It has crappy black and white illustrations too. It looks like it was written in the 70's or something.

Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach.......2007-10-05

I received the correct book in excellent condition (matching the seller's description) in the timeframe I was told when I purchased it.

Setting the standard for other physical chemistry texts.......2007-07-28

To be succinct:
1) Thorough explanation of each subject.
2) Subjects broken down into manageable chapters.
3) Lots of worked problems.
4) Lots of problems at the end of each chapter.
5) Material presented in a logical, not necessarily historical, fashion.
6) Layout is generally superior to other texts (spacious, not cramped)
7) Get the solutions manual.

Bear in mind most schools teach thermodynamics and kinetics, followed by quantum chemistry. This methodology is merely a reflection of the order of discovery, and not because quantum chemistry necessarily builds on thermo or kinetics. This text teaches quantum first, followed by thermo and kinetics. It's more logical to teach quantum first, but you can jump right into traditional physical chemistry with this text.

Only recommendation:
The publisher should package the book with the solutions manual. I'm a big fan of solutions manuals and a student is somewhat hobbled without one.

Well Approached Text Book for PChem.......2007-06-23

At first, this book - judging from its thickness - scared me. I owned 3 different 3 P-Chem books prior to this. They were dry, hard to comprehend and worst, they had a lot of typos. So when I saw this text by McQuarrie, I thought that it'd be one of those books that i had to buy for class.
After reading the first chapter, I could tell that this text was worth buying. Not only that it gives me the essential mathematical skills to approach p-chem, but it also informs me the applications of p-chem in both chemistry and biology. Best of all, it has the least 'typos' in comparison to other text.

The only drawback about this book is the paper. It's very thin - and i understand why. If it were printed in a regular paper, this book would have been twice as thick.

This text is the standard text at UC Berkeley.

another "microscopic" book on Physical Chemistry.......2007-04-20

Just wanted to alert readers of these reviews that there is another Physical Chemistry book that follows the 'microscopic' approach of McQuarrie and Simon:

Principles of Physical Chemistry: Understanding Atoms, Molecules and Supramolecular Machines by Hans Kuhn, Horst-Dieter Försterling.

No end-of-chapter problems in this however. Link: Principles of Physical Chemistry: Understanding Atoms, Molecules and Supramolecular Machines

I've also reviewed Laidler et al. which some may find useful:
Physical Chemistry

iGenetics: A Mendelian Approach (The Genetics Place Series)

Average customer rating:

Genetics is interesting, but this book makes me dread the subject.
Good Text Book

iGenetics: A Mendelian Approach (The Genetics Place Series)
Peter J. Russell
Manufacturer: Benjamin Cummings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 080534666X

Book Description

iGenetics: A Mendelian Approach reflects the dynamic nature of modern genetics by emphasizing an experimental, inquiry-based approach with a solid treatment of many research experiments. 1. Genetics: An Introduction, Mendelian Genetics, Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance, Extensions of Mendelian Genetic Principles, Quantitative Genetics, Gene Mapping in Eukaryotes, Advanced Gene Mapping in Eukaryotes, Variations in Chromosome Structure and Number, Genetics of Bacteria and Bacteriophages, DNA: The Genetic Material, DNA Replication, Gene Control of Proteins, Gene Expression: Transcription, Gene Expression: Translation, DNA Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposable Elements, Recombinant DNA Technology, Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology, Genomics, Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria and Bacteriophages, Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes, Genetic Analysis of Development, Genetics of Cancer, Non-Mendelian Inheritance, Population Genetics, Molecular Evolution For all readers interested in learning the central concepts of genetics.

Customer Reviews:

Genetics is interesting, but this book makes me dread the subject........2007-03-16

The most useful features in this book are "analytical approaches to solving genetics problems" and "questions and problems" at the end of each chapter. Many of the pictures and diagrams are also nice.

However, the writing style tends to be rather dreary and over wordy, which is great for insomniacs, but horrible for those who actually want to learn something. Most of the material is presented in a manner best "learned" by memorization, rather than understanding. As seems to be typical of many biology texts, the "what" is emphasized over the "how" and "why". The sections that approach genetics from a molecular level tend to be better than the others, but the writing style is still too verbose.

Probabilities are treated in a fast and loose manner, but I am willing to concede that such use may be common among geneticists.

I also found several errors and typos in many of the chapters.

I tend to find genetics intrinsically interesting and this book could be worse, but if my only exposure to genetics were through this book, I would probably like the field about as much as I would like to work with potassium cyanide.

Good Text Book.......2005-09-28

I think this is one of my favorite text books that I've encountered to this point. It's wonderfully straight forward and has beautiful diagrams that clearly illustrate the subjects being taught. It's also very nice reading, which is more than I can say about most text books!

Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach

Average customer rating:

A Thorough and Sophisticated Presentation of Pathogenicity

Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach
Abigail A. Salyers , and Dixie D. Whitt
Manufacturer: ASM Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 155581171X

Customer Reviews:

A Thorough and Sophisticated Presentation of Pathogenicity.......2000-04-23

As an undergraduate student studying microbiology, I found the book to be extremely technical. I would have appreciated a more clinical approach to pathogenicity. Bacterial Pathogenesis can, however, serve as an excellent reference text concerning the details of pathogenicity on a molecular level. The book covers virulence factors and antibiotic in detail. 21 bacterial diseases are covered extensively, each having its own chapter.

From Neuron to Brain: A Cellular and Molecular Approach to the Function of the Nervous System, Fourth Edition

Average customer rating:

Condition of new book from Amazon is not new.
Excellent Book for Neuroscience
A great introductory book on neuroscience
Clear, concise, helpful text for a beginning grad student!
Neurophysiology (History & Evolution)

From Neuron to Brain: A Cellular and Molecular Approach to the Function of the Nervous System, Fourth Edition
A. Robert Martin , Bruce G. Wallace , and Paul A. Fuchs
Manufacturer: Sinauer Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0878934391

Book Description

In the 25 years since From Neuron to Brain was first published, the authors' aim has remained constant—to describe how nerve cells go about their business of transmitting signals, how the signals are put together, and how, out of this integration, higher functions emerge. The new Fourth Edition, while maintaining this focus, has been completely reformatted and updated.

The emphasis, as before, is on experiments, and on the way they are carried out. Using a narrative approach, the authors follow a line from the original inception of a new idea to an account of research being done today. The wealth of new facts, techniques, and concepts, however, presented a challenge in keeping the book to a manageable size. Inevitably, the authors have had to delete descriptions of certain classical experiments.

Largely in response to readers' comments, elements of format and presentation have been changed for this new edition—more headings have been introduced, the paragraphs are shorter, and the illustrations, now in full color, have been clarified. As in previous editions, references are cited throughout the text, and appendices are provided to help readers unfamiliar with the nervous system deal with essential facts and definitions.

Intended for use in upper-level undergraduate, graduate, psychology, and medical school Neuroscience courses, From Neuron to Brain will be of interest to anyone, with or without a specialized background in biological sciences, who is curious about the workings of the nervous system. It presents a readable and coherent account of how cellular and molecular approaches can provide insights into the workings of the brain.

Customer Reviews:

Condition of new book from Amazon is not new........2007-09-11

I realize that Amazon uses different shippers and stuff but I would not recommend buying this book from Amazon b/c, first of all, it took 6 days for it to ship to me when I have 2 day shipping and because I paid for a new one(direct from Amazon) and the copy I was shipped already had scratches and water damage on the inside pages although it was wrapped in clear plastic and supposedly new. This is not the first time where things like this have happened but I think this will be the last time. I am canceling my 2 day shipping and have decided to use other sources for my textbook and other book needs after my vouchers are used up.

Excellent Book for Neuroscience.......2006-04-01

Neuroscience is generally considered a very dry area of research where people do research for years together to discover some meager facts. Still, even to a person who is averse to Neuroscience, this book might seem appealing. This speaks about the lucid, simple way of explanation in this book. This book is well written and explains the basics of Neuroscience better than any other giant books in market. Buy this book irrespective of your discipline to know the intricacies of Human Brain and have a pleasant reading.

A great introductory book on neuroscience.......2005-08-12

I am a physics graduate student who happen to become interested in neuroscience. I had been searching for an introductory book when I stumbled upon this one. Although I am only half-way through the book right now, I could already tell that it is exactly what a newcomer to this field would need. With the terminology clearly defined, the book gives a very concise, clear, and logic description on the fundamentals. It further keeps one's interest high by relating the fundamental knowledges to everyday experiences. What I like most about this book is that it does not shy away from pointing out what is not yet known. With the last chapter devoted to "open questions", it presents the real questions to be answered. This book is really perfect. Highly recommended.

Clear, concise, helpful text for a beginning grad student!.......2004-10-19

I am a first year graduate student "accidentally" entering the field of neuroscience. I needed a basic text to help me "catch up". This book has been wonderful! The authors' have a great writing style- easy to read. More importantly, the authors are expert at choosing and presenting important, basic aspects of neurobiology to inexperienced neuroscientists without bogging the reader down with unnecessary and confusing detail. In particular, the authors thoroughly discuss ion channels and their role in neuronal communication, presenting electrophysiology as a valuable tool for studying these channels. This text was "just right" for me. However, if you are an advanced "neuroscientist", this text might be a bit on the "simple" side.

Neurophysiology (History & Evolution).......2004-06-11

This book is similar in format and style to Principles of Neural Science by Kandel, Schwartz, & Jessell. Nicholls book is half the length of Kandel's, yet just as good. Colored drawings & diagrams are laced throughout the text. It is strongest in auditory physiology, synaptic transmission, vision physiology, & neural development. Clear graphs and line-drawings of intracellular and extracellular recordings abound. Give this book its chance. It should be on the reading list for Medical & Graduate School.

The Cell: A Molecular Approach, Fourth Edition

Average customer rating:

A Very Good Reference for a Host of Areas of Biology
Very good condition

The Cell: A Molecular Approach, Fourth Edition
Geoffrey M. Cooper , and Robert E. Hausman
Manufacturer: Sinauer Associates, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0878932194

Book Description

Courses in molecular and cellular biology are a cornerstone of undergraduate programs in the life sciences. The material is not only fundamental to all of biology, but also represents an exciting and rapidly moving area of science. This makes teaching undergraduates a rewarding experience, but also a challenging task. The Cell: A Molecular Approach meets this challenge by providing students with not only the most current information, but also with a conceptual framework and an introduction to the experimental nature of contemporary research. Designed for use in one-semester introductory cell biology courses, The Cell presents current comprehensive science in a readable and cohesive text that students can master in the course of one semester.

The new Fourth Edition of The Cell has been updated to reflect major advances since publication of the Third Edition in 2003, including:

* The role of microRNAs in regulation of gene expression
* Expanded discussions of genomics, proteomics, and signaling networks
* Translational regulation and the mTOR signaling pathway
* Roles of specialized lipid domains in cell surface processes
* Advances in stem cell biology
* Oncogenes and the rational design of new anticancer drugs

While retaining the overall organization, themes, and special features of earlier editions, including Key Experiment and Molecular Medicine essays, the Fourth Edition of The Cell includes:

* Three additional chapters, including Cell Death and Cell Renewal
* Major new sections, including
o Proteomics: Large-Scale Analysis of Cell Proteins
o Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
o Cell-Matrix Interactions
o Signaling Networks
* New chapter sidebars that highlight areas of interest and clinical applications throughout each chapter
* New margin elements that refer students to animations and activities on the Companion Website
* Revised end-of-chapter questions, with answers for all questions included in the back of the boo

Customer Reviews:

A Very Good Reference for a Host of Areas of Biology.......2007-07-07

This is a textbook for undergraduates, but I'm not a student. I've been studying evolution from a variety of books and I finally decided I needed a systematic look at the biology of the cell. I shopped Amazon and decided on this book and I am well satisfied with it.

There is too much information for me to summarize, but the book's Table of Contents does an excellent job of that. (Click on "Search inside this book".) The book also has an abbreviated Table of Contents, not shown in this product page, which will help the reader locate a particular topic within the longer ToC.

The book starts with "Introduction", which provides background material and gives a glimpse of the book ahead. I think that a student using this as the text for a course for a one-semester course will probably need to know most of this beforehand. A person with more time will still need some background. You should already know what carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, and nucleic acids are; the basics of the DNA-to-RNA-to-protein pathway; the fact that a membrane consists of a double layer of phospholipids, with other molecules embedded in it; and other basics of the cell. You will need at least a modest familiarity with diagrams of molecules and molecular processes. If the Table of Contents doesn't look like nonsense to you, you're probably prepared.

The exercises are important because they contain material that is not in the main text. For example, there are exercises that ask you to apply what you learned in the text to a problem similar to the ones scientists try to solve. It is doubly important for non-students because they let you verify your learning.

The Book Description says this book has "the most current information". This isn't possible in a book; in a field as active as cellular and molecular biology a lot happens between the time the manuscript is completed and the time the book is released for sale. What this book can do is to give you the background you need to read the science news articles. And that's doing quite a bit.

I mentioned that I had been reading other material wanted to fill in my background. The other material included such topics as molecular biology of the gene, signal transduction, mitochondria, and cancer. Since the cell is the basic unit of biology, The Cell is a gateway to many other topics as well. It would have been easier if I had read The Cell first, but I didn't know that. If you might be interested in some of the earlier books, they are listed in my Listmania "Natural Processes That Promote Evolution". There is a link to it in my Amazon Profile. (Click on my name at the top of this review.) But, of course, I recommend reading The Cell first.

If you're a student wondering what kind of nut reads books like this for fun, the Profile also has a bit about me under the title "In My Own Words".

I finished The Cell a few weeks ago and since then I have referred to it a few times for help in understanding science news. Given that I found it useful, there must be plenty of other people who would, and so I wrote this review.

Very good condition.......2007-03-09

The book was in very good condition and was received in a timely fashion.

Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach

Average customer rating:

Second edition
PHYLOGENY AND NIRVANA
A essential book
a college text
On modern plant taxonomy

Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach
Christopher S. Campbell , Elizabeth A. Kellogg , Peter F. Stevens , and Michael J. Donoghue
Manufacturer: Sinauer Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0878934030

Book Description

Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, Second Edition is an introductory text that incorporates phylogenetic principles and methods throughout—from the careful explanation of phylogenetic methods and principles in the initial two chapters to the taxonomic survey of vascular plant families in the last two chapters.

Orders and families are recircumscribed to represent monophyletic groups, largely following the most recent classification of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. The sources of taxonomic evidence are discussed, including morphology, anatomy, embryology, chromosomes, palynology, secondary plant compounds, proteins, and DNA. Molecular taxonomic methods are fully presented, and throughout the book reference is made to the results of recent studies, both molecular and morphological. A chapter on the history of plant classification puts current systematic methods in a historical context. Issues relating to variation in plant populations and species, including discussion of speciation, species concepts, polyploidy, hybridization, breeding systems, and introgression are carefully considered. Botanical nomenclature and field and herbarium methods are discussed in two appendices. New to the Second Edition are a chapter presenting an overview of the phylogeny of the green plants (with an emphasis on the vascular plants), a detailed glossary of botanical and biological terms, and coverage of 16 additional families of vascular plants. All chapters have been thoroughly updated, taking into account recent taxonomic methods and hypotheses.

The text is copiously illustrated, using in large part the informative analytical drawings developed as part of the Generic Flora of the Southeastern United States project. The text is accompanied by a much expanded CD-ROM, containing over 2,200 color photos illustrating the diagnostic characters of (and variability within) the vascular plant families covered in the text, including many images showing floral and fruit dissections.

Customer Reviews:

Second edition.......2003-06-09

The second edition (2002) has been much expanded (from 464 to 576 pages) and has been adjusted to keep up with the (headlong) developments in this field. It also includes more descriptions of families.

In some ways the book has not changed. The same illustrations were used giving it the same look. It remain an introductory book, that although set up along the lines of a systembook is only of limited use as such, since coverage is far from complete. The Appendix on "Botanical nomenclature" is still a soft spot. Not only is the (badly) erroneous bit on the naming of cultivated plants still there, but the slanted view of the ICBN has worsened (the ICBN even being called "Linnaean"!) and the PhyloCode is plugged.

However this remains the foremost textbook for those wanting a start in plant taxonomy, a field that is changing ever more rapidly.

PHYLOGENY AND NIRVANA.......2001-11-29

Several colleagues have recently adopted, or plan to adopt the new textbook by JUDD, W. S., CAMPBELL, C. S., KELLOGG, E. A. & STEVENS, P. F. 1999. Plant systematics, a phylogenetic approach. ISBN 0-87893-404-9, for teaching vascular plant taxonomy. The book has some very useful introductory chapters on modern tools, which provide students with an insight on the applications of phytochemistry, mollecular biology and confection of cladograms.
Surely plant (and other) systematics bear on a traditional use of systems which have inherent flaws, given the tremendous diversity os species (or whatever you can call the final taxa) they deal with. The limitations of a patchy fossil record render phylogenetic approaches, however tempting their confection may be for a plant scientist in his search of a broader understanding, a kind of Nirvana that can never be completely conquered. We can know with some accuracy how long ago currently fossilized plants lived, but anyone familiar with the concept of convergence can hardly attribute affinities to a leaf imprint not attached to a flower or vice versa. Oddly enough, some of these concerns are addressed in Chapter 1 of the book, which is not consistent with the classification system proposed [since a large number of smaller but very important families was left out].
On p. 3 the book addresses the theory-neutral approach and clearly states it's intent to go further - into Phylogenetic interpretations. Conversely the most exhaustive numeric study of all species in a single extant genus, using all characters one can securely split into states, will shed light on their similarities, providing just another elegant and often valuable way to organize data, such as a cladogram. Distinguishing similarities reflecting true affinities from those brought about by convergence remains a cumbersome task which shall always rely on traditional methods.
The comment on p. 6 says: "We do not know the actual phylogeny of any nontrivial group of organisms [what would a trivial one be?], but instead must infer phylogenies from the data available to us." I have trouble agreeing with this point of view, since available data is admittedly patchy and often inconsistent. Paths in the true cladogram of evolution can not be retraced based on assumptions. We only have access to the dense upper surface of the crown, while the gross remainder of the tree's branches and trunk are obstructed from view. No matter from which angle one looks at it, Phylogeny draws on a generous dose of guesswork. On the practical purpose of classification, I cannot but paraphrase CRONQUIST (1988:12), one of the traditional taxonomists excommunicated in this book: "In taxonomy, consistency must always be secondary to the primary objective of recognizing natural groups on the basis of all available information".
Fitting the entire universe of traditional knowledge and current advances of plant systematics into a comprehensive book for students at any level poses obvious problems: How does one cope with limited space to organize the maelstrom of data? Our minds need to create categories in order to control storage and retreival of information. Obviously some omitting is inevitable, but at least the general idea of diversity must come across. In that sense I am especially intrigued by the comment by Michael Donoghue in the foreword "Students will readily appreciate the desirability of abandoning ranks altogether."
Following one of the modern trends, some groups of plants in the book's system, (for ex. used for Orchids in Dahlgren's treatment) are named using formal taxonomic rank, while other are not. If a group is recognized as separate, why not give it a rank? One inherent function of ranks is providing a common language - the only method of sharing knowledge currently used by humans. It must be recognized that the way in which ranks are currently applied is not problem-free: why must there be a defined number of them, let's say, between family and species? Rather than eliminating ranks, we should create new ways to apply them and see them.
No matter how deeply modern views have shifted, we can never entirely erase nor replace the results presented in old publications. Students need to know and understand important footsteps in 2 centuries of botanical investigation, which have paved the way toward current advances. We can now add new characters from an arsenal of chemical and mollecular data, ecological observations and a substantially improved matrix of geographic data. Regardless of academic rank, we are all students with a mission to discover and organize information and convey knowledge, not to ignore, misplace or ommit data. How can a student fit families like the Acanthochlamydaceae, Acoraceae, Boryaceae, Burmanniaceae, Corsiaceae, Costaceae, Didieraceae, Epacridaceae, Lemnaceae, Velloziaceae or Xyridaceae into such a system, when they are not even in the alphabetical index?
A good system must account for every component as best it can. Misplacing taxa (implicitly considered the most common flaw of traditional classifications) is still better than making-believe that odd parts don't exist. The argument of producing a textbook for undergraduate courses does not justify the omission of important plant families. Students deserve to start out at least with a complete set of families and the tools to recognize them. Even a great job of organizing a mere subset of information has very limited practical value, especially if Phylogeny is one of its main goals. Some of the smaller families which were left out are very important from both the taxonomic and the phytogeographic perspectives. Despite some hardships such as dichotomic keys starting with presence or absence of betalains, Cronquist's system remains the most recent comprehensive reference guide to the diversity of flowering plant families, simple enough to be used at the undergraduate level.
Though data from modern sources, such as molecular and chemical, are used in the introductory chapters, it is not quite clear how this data was usen in confecting the classification by JUDD et al., and there is no way of knowing whether the new system proposed shall hold its consistency after all omitted families of vascular plants are included in the data.

A essential book.......2001-11-06

The book of W. Judd is essential to all Botany student and studious of Systematics and General Botanical. For the ones that still feel difficulties in the comprehension of the concepts of Phylogenetic Systematics, the clear text and explanative allows a very clear vision of the whole process. The approach of the initial chapters, mostly of the chapter 2 is too much elucidative, allowing to the reader if involve with the study themes, learning simultaneously all vision of the phylogenetic systematic current. It is a book that can't miss in shelf of any botanist or studous of plants.

a college text.......2001-08-02

Dr. Judd is an amazing lecturer and has provided an excellent pictorial CD along with the textbook. While this book is used as as a college text I often refer to it when discussing plants in general.

On modern plant taxonomy.......2001-07-14

There seems to be a pretty universal agreement that this is the book to have for those who want to keep up with what is happening in modern plant systematics. It is a wonderfully concise text that clearly states principles and gives good practical examples. Also it gives a good overview of the main groups in the APG-system (based on three genes combined with more traditional taxonomical characters). The conciseness is also, in a way, its weak point. It leaves out much that traditionally belongs in basic taxonomy texts, so that it is dubious how well this work is suited as an introduction to plant taxonomy. The many plant groups that are not treated detract from its usefulness as "system book". Another quibble is that the illustrations (line drawings) are all borrowed from other sources, so that style and quality varies.

Average customer rating:

cell biology book
The cooper cell
New! Second Edition of Cooper text is available!
Excellent basic book
Excellent introductory book

The Cell: A Molecular Approach
Geoffrey M. Cooper , and Robert E. Hausman
Manufacturer: Sinauer Associates
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0878932143

Book Description

Because molecular and cellular biology is such an exciting and rapidly moving area of science, teaching it at the undergraduate level is a rewarding, yet challenging, task. The Cell: A Molecular Approach meets this challenge by providing students with not only the most current information, but also with an introduction to the experimental nature of contemporary research. Designed for use in introductory cell biology courses, The Cell presents current comprehensive science in a readable and cohesive text that students can master in the course of one semester.

The new Third Edition of The Cell retains the organization, themes, and special features of earlier editions, but is updated to reflect scientific advances since publication of the Second Edition in 2000, including:

* progress that has been made in genome sequencing
* advances in understanding transcriptional regulation and mRNA processing
* the use of DNA microarrays in global studies of gene expression and cancer diagnostics
* advances in nuclear transport and protein trafficking
* progress in understanding the regulation of programmed cell death
* potential medical applications of embryonic stem cells
* the development of oncogene-targeted cancer treatments

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE CELL

With a clear focus on cell biology as an integrative theme, topics such as developmental biology, plant biology, the immune system, the nervous system, and muscle physiology are covered in their broader biological context.

"Key Experiment" boxes in each chapter describe seminal experiments in modern cell biology, showing the details and background to give students a sense of doing science.

"Molecular Medicine" boxes relate basic science to clinical practice or potential and show the excitement of molecular discovery and solutions to disease.

Chapter summaries are organized in outline form corresponding to the major sections and subsections of each chapter. This section-by-section format is coupled with a list of the key terms introduced in each section, providing a succinct but comprehensive review of the material.

The full-color art program is both pedagogically and scientifically outstanding.

In addition, each chapter includes: a brief chapter outline, bold-faced key terms (also defined in the glossary), and chapter-end questions (15 per chapter) with answers in the back of the book. The deliberate and cumulative result of this pedagogy is a book that students can master.

Customer Reviews:

cell biology book.......2004-01-16

fast shipping, recieved book just as described, good as new!
i'd do business with seller again thanks.

The cooper cell.......2000-08-30

This book contained very usefull text information especially for whom undertaking cell biology. It as also recommended by Lecturers in Victoria University of Technology, in Australia. It provides excellent details of cell functions and related items in both the general view and the molecular view. The older version is also a very good source, but I think it is a bit out dated. I would recommend this text to whom is studying cell biology.

New! Second Edition of Cooper text is available!.......2000-06-30

The field of cell biology is so vast and changing so rapidly that teaching it can be a daunting prospect. The First Edition of The Cell: A Molecular Approach, published in 1997, offered the perfect solution for teachers and their students--current, comprehensive science combined with the readability and cohesiveness of a single-authored text. Designed for one-semester introductory cell biology courses, this book enabled students to master the material in the entire book, not simply to sample a small fraction from a much larger text. The new Second Edition of The Cell retains the organization, themes, and special features of the original, but it has been completely updated in major areas of scientific progress, including: genome analysis; chromatin and transcription; nuclear transport; protein sorting and trafficking; signal transduction; the cell cycle; and programmed cell death.

The new Second Edition was published June 16, 2000.

Excellent basic book.......1999-10-04

I teach cellular biolgy in senior hihg school, and I found in this book an excellent tool, were my students can find the basic information that they need. The CD is also a great idea, because the students can see some proceses in motion.

Excellent introductory book.......1998-08-28

I am an engineer by training and I am interested in appling biological principles to solving engineering problems (I am also the author of a book entitled Intelligent Systems for Engineering: A Knowledge-based Approach). Prof. Cooper's book is an amazingly well written book. Anyone can easily understand the concepts presented. My only advice to the author is to make the CD-ROM more interactive and if possible add narration. Congratuations on writing such an excellent book.

Molecular Evolution: A Phylogenetic Approach

Average customer rating:

would not recommend
Good overview of molecular evolution studies but a bit outdated
Nice figures
Trees and more trees
Handy read

Molecular Evolution: A Phylogenetic Approach
Roderic D. Page , and Edward C. Holmes
Manufacturer: Blackwell Publishing Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0865428891

Customer Reviews:

would not recommend.......2007-03-26

We use this book in the class and most of us don't like it. The book just doesn't do a good job explaining many things. Unless you are an expert in the field or at least have prior experience I would not recommend you this book.

Good overview of molecular evolution studies but a bit outdated.......2006-03-16

If you're not familiar with DNA sequences analysis and inferring phylogenies, this book is a must read (as far as I know the only introduction book to the field). But it's a bit outdated (Bayesian analysis not covered).

Nice figures.......2004-01-08

I'm new to molecular evolution and have been confused with various terms and concepts (e.g., cladogram vs. phylogram vs. dendrogram, plesiomorphy vs. apomorphy vs. autapomorphy vs. synapomorphy vs. homoplasy, etc.). Reading other books that try to explain these concepts mostly in words only added more confusion.

Every page in this book contains highly illustrative figures that accompanies well written text. Of course, not all sections are not immediately clear to understand, and I would need to read other books as well.

If you are new to molecular evolution, start with this book along with any other books that may suit your particular need.

Trees and more trees.......2000-11-27

Although molecular phylogenetic analysis can be extremely complex, this reference provides an introduction to the subject that is straightforward to read. The reference begins with consideration of trees, which are structures used to model actual evolutionary relationships between genes or entire lifeforms. It then provides an introduction to molecular and population genetics. Coding as well as noncoding DNA (tandem repeats, transposable elements, retroviruses, spacer DNA) is considered. The reference then considers how genetic change can be measured, followed by how we can deduce molecular phylogenies. The validity of the molecular clock is then considered, along with a discussion of the neutralist-selectionist debate. The reference finally considers how different phylogenies can be combined to determine actual phylogeny, reconciled trees, and rates of diversification.

Handy read.......2000-03-25

This book is very well written and a handy tool for anyone who is new to molecular evolution. Nice diagrams and concise chapters. The authors know how to break up the sometimes demanding ideas into appropriate bites. Perfect for grad students and senior undergrads.

Basic Cell Culture (Practical Approach Series)

Average customer rating:

intro to cell culture

Basic Cell Culture (Practical Approach Series)

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0199638535

Book Description

The use of animal, including human, cell culture has expanded enormously during the last 25 years, with new applications appearing all the time. The aim of this book is to guide the newcomer progressively through all those areas which nowadays are basic to the performance of cell culture. The book should also prove useful to the experienced worker when entering a new field, setting up a new laboratory, or as a source of reference on basic techniques. Revised and updated chapters cover topics such as equipping a cell culture laboratory, sterilization, culture media, basic culture technique, cell cloning, the isolation of new cell lines, contamination procedures, and good laboratory practice. There is a brand new chapter on the microscopy of living cells, and an appendix of online resources for cell biology.

Customer Reviews:

intro to cell culture.......2001-07-20

I found this book to be very helpful. The information is current and clearly presented. (other texts I purchased had more recent publication dates, but were clearly out-of-date in the techniques and equipment used).

I run a high through-put cell culture lab (about 4000 T175 per week). I purchased the text mainly as a training aid.
50% of my staff 'person hours' come from part time college students who only stayed for one or 2 semesters, thus I am faced with having to train new staff often.

This text gives a good, clear introduction to the basics of cell culture and sterile technique and significantly cut down on the amount of time it took me to train new staff. I made it required reading for all my staff!

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