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The Machinery of Life

  • Book
  • © 1993

Overview

Authors:
  1. David S. Goodsell

    1. Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

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  • Hardcover edition was already a bestseller * Contains spectacular illustrations by the author *

  • A fascinating introduction to biochemistry for the nonspecialist

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
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  2. Introduction

    1. Introduction

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 1-9

  3. Molecules and Life

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 11-11
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    2. Molecular Machines

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 13-25

    3. The Processes of Living

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 27-51

  4. Molecules into Cells

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 53-53
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    2. Escherichia coli: One of the Simplest Cells

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 55-63

    3. Baker’s Yeast: The Advantages of Compartmentation

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 65-80

    4. Man: The Advantages of Specialization

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 81-95

    5. Plants: Gathering Energy from the Sun

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 97-102

  5. Cells in Health and Disease

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 103-103
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    2. Vitamins

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 105-110

    3. Viruses: Biological Highjackers

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 111-119

    4. Poisons and Drugs

      • David S. Goodsell
      Pages 121-132

  6. Back Matter

    Pages 133-140
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Keywords

About this book

All living cells are made up of an extraordinary collection of tiny molecular machines, which orchestrate the millions of tasks needed for life. Cells build these machines for a variety of purposes: to digest food, to propel them to fertile feeding grounds or away from predators, to store the genetic blueprint, and to fight disease-causing invaders. The Machinery of Life is a journey into the sub-microscopic world of molecular machines. The reader is first introduced to the types of molecules built by cells: proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides. In a series of distinctive illustrations, the reader is then guided through the interior world of cells, exploring the ways in which molecules work in concert to perform the processes of living. Finally, the book shows how vitamins, viruses, poisons, and drugs each have their effects on the molecules in our bodies. The author and illustrator, David Goodsell, has prepared a fascinating introduction to biochemistry for the nonspecialist. This book combines a clear text with an abundance of drawings and computer graphics that present the world of cells and their components in a new and unique way.

Reviews

"the drawings are among the most instructive one can find in structural biology, and the mechanisms of life are elegantly explained ... The genius of the book is in its simplicity ... a fresh and engaging book..." Nature "an impressive and original book...Elaborate and fascinating drawings present crowded sections of living cells..." Scientific American

Authors and Affiliations

  • Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

    David S. Goodsell

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: The Machinery of Life

  • Authors: David S. Goodsell

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2267-3

  • Publisher: Copernicus New York, NY

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media New York 1993

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-4757-2267-3Published: 09 March 2013

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XV, 140

  • Number of Illustrations: 108 b/w illustrations, 22 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Biochemistry, general, Cell Biology

  • Industry Sectors: Biotechnology, Consumer Packaged Goods, Pharma

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