Molecular and Cell Biology For Dummies [Paperback]

René Fester Kratz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470430664 | ISBN-13: 978-0470430668 | Publication Date: June 2, 2009 | Edition: 1

Your hands-on study guide to the inner world of the cell

Need to get a handle on molecular and cell biology? This easy-to-understand guide explains the structure and function of the cell and how recombinant DNA technology is changing the face of science and medicine. You discover how fundamental principles and concepts relate to everyday life. Plus, you get plenty of study tips to improve your grades and score higher on exams!

• Explore the world of the cell — take a tour inside the structure and function of cells and see how viruses attack and destroy them

• Understand the stuff of life (molecules) — get up to speed on the structure of atoms, types of bonds, carbohydrates, proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids

• Watch as cells function and reproduce — see how cells communicate, obtain matter and energy, and copy themselves for growth, repair, and reproduction

• Make sense of genetics — learn how parental cells organize their DNA during sexual reproduction and how scientists can predict inheritance patterns

• Decode a cell's underlying programming — examine how DNA is read by cells, how it determines the traits of organisms, and how it's regulated by the cell

• Harness the power of DNA — discover how scientists use molecular biology to explore genomes and solve current world problems

Open the book and find:

• Easy-to-follow explanations of key topics

• The life of a cell — what it needs to survive and reproduce

• Why molecules are so vital to cells

• Rules that govern cell behavior

• Laws of thermodynamics and cellular work

• The principles of Mendelian genetics

• Useful Web sites

• Important events in the development of DNA technology

• Ten great ways to improve your biology grade

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

René Fester Kratz, PhD, teaches cellular biology and microbiology. She is a member of the North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership, where she helped create inquiry-based science courses for future teachers. Kratz is also the author of Microbiology The Easy Way.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Wiley Publishing; 1 edition (June 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470430664
• ISBN-13: 978-0470430668
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Biology > Molecular Biology
  • #7 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Cell Biology
  • #42 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Evolution

More About the Author

I'm a science teacher, writer, wife, and mom (not necessarily in that order!) who lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. At Everett Community College in Everett, Washington (about 40 miles north of Seattle), I teach classes in general biology, cellular biology, microbiology, and global health. In addition to working with my college students, I sometimes work on science teaching with teachers in the local K-12 school systems.

I've basically always loved science -- one of my earliest memories is trying to out-compete a fellow student in elementary school to see who could collect more facts about the solar system! Although that contest was about astronomy, biology proved to be my lasting love. I majored in biology at Boston University, taking lots of classes in botany and microbiology. After that, I worked for a while in a lab devoted to science and science writing before heading to graduate school at the University of Washington, where I earned a Ph.D. in Botany. It was in graduate school that I discovered that I really love helping others learn about science.

Ever since grad school, I've been on a journey to learn how to help others understand science. That journey has led me to learning more about learning itself, as well as to write science books that are designed for non-scientists or students of science (which you can see here on my Amazon page).

In my spare time (hah hah), I'm a mad reader of books of all sorts, a scrapbooker, a good cook, a haphazard gardener, and a wanna be backyard farmer.

If you check out any of my books, I hope you enjoy them and find them useful! Science helps us understand the world around us and I truly believe that everyone needs -- and can learn to appreciate -- a little science in their lives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very clear explanation of a very complex subject, December 29, 2009

By 

J. Davidson (Annandale, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Molecular and Cell Biology For Dummies (Paperback)

This book did just what I had hoped it would do. It took a very complex subject and explained it in as simple terms as possible. I've never had a formal course in biology, but I had watched all the lectures in an MIT Open Courseware course on the subject that had left me confused about a number of things. Of course, this book is not as comprehensive as a full course, but it did clarify a number of things for me. Many of the illustrations are much better than in the textbook that the MIT course was based on. Near the end of the book the author began giving specific study tips -- what things a student needs to be familiar with and what things they need to have down cold. In fact, the last chapter is entitled "Ten Ways to Improve Your Grade." I thought this a little strange, because the introduction does not mention this aspect of the book. It is done unobtrusively, so it shouldn't lessen a non-student's enjoyment of the book. I mention it because it might be a big plus to some prospective readers.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction, July 9, 2010

By 

N. Peritore ('Brazil) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Molecular and Cell Biology For Dummies (Kindle Edition)

This book is written by an excellent teacher, with clear explanations. An excellent supplement to a course on this difficult topic. Most texts in this area are highly technical, and this book can help orient the reader and resolve a lot of difficulties. I would love to take the course from the author, who shows enthusiasm and and a great capacity to communicate.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For casual readers only, November 5, 2010

By 

phoeberoo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Molecular and Cell Biology For Dummies (Paperback)

I think this book would be great for someone with a non-science background who wanted to understand molecular and cell biology in a simple way. I however bought the book to serve as a quick-read adjunct to college level cell and molecular courses, and the book is totally inadequate for this purpose. The book is far too simplistic and surface oriented to be a study guide to undergraduate cell and molecular biology classes.