Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. The molecular design of life

Prelude

Biochemical evolution

Protein structure and function

Exploring proteins

RNA, DNA, and the flow of genetic information

Exploring genes

Exploring evolution (including bioinformatics)

Enzymes : basic concepts and kinetics

Catalytic strategies

Regulatory strategies : enzymes and hemoglobin

Carbohydrates

Lipids and cell membranes

Membrane channels and pumps

Part II. Transducing and storing energy

Metabolism : basic concepts and design

Signal-transduction pathways : an introduction to information metabolism

Glycolysis gluconeogenesis

The citric acid cycle

Oxidative phosphorylation

The light reactions of photosynthesis

The Calvin cycle and the pentose phosphate pathway

Glycogen metabolism

Fatty acid metabolism

Protein turnover and amino acid catabolism

Part III. Synthesizing the molecules of life

The biosynthesis of amino acids

Nucleotide biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of membrane lipids and steroids

DNA replication, recombination, and repair

RNA synthesis and splicing

Protein synthesis

The integration of metabolism

The control of gene expression

Part IV. Responding to environmental changes

Sensory systems

The immune system

Molecular motors