1 Origin of Biological Systems
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Theories of the origin and history of life
1.3 The universe
1.4 The Big Bang theory
1.5 The solar system
1.6 The earth and its primitive atmosphere
1.7 Origin of biological systems (life forms)
1.8 Simple inorganic molecules to complex free living cells
1.9 Origin of genetic information
1.10 The first cell
1.11 Origin of information systems
1.12 Cellular energy sources
1.13 Evolution of metabolic diversity
1.14 Evolution of metabolic reactions
1.15 Evolution of photosynthesis and aerobic respiration
1.16 Cells fixing nitrogen, carbon dioxide and others
1.17 From prokaryotic to eukaryotic cells
1.18 Development of multicellular organisms
2 Atomic Basis of Life
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Fine structure of atoms
2.3 Organization of matter
2.4 Atomic interactions
2.5 Elements that constitute life
2.6 Chemical reactions and molecular forces
2.7 Water
2.8 Solutions of weak acids and their salts
2.9 Bioenergetics
2.10 Metabolic reactions
3 Biomolecules
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Elements essential for life
3.3 Carbon skeleton
3.4 Functional groups of biomolecules
3.5 Classes of biomolecules
3.6 Carbohydrates
3.7 Lipids
3.8 Proteins
3.9 Nucleic acids
4 Prokaryotic Cells
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Five kingdom approach of classification
4.3 Cellular diversity within an organism
4.4 Archaebacteria
4.5 Bacteria
4.6 Intracellular structures of bacterial cell
4.7 Bacterial cell components
4.8 Nanobacteria
5 Eukaryotic Cells
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Structure of eukaryotic cell
5.3 Subcellular structures of eukaryotes
5.4 Plasma membrane
5.5 Cytoplasm
5.6 Nucleus
5.7 Endoplasmic reticulum
5.8 Golgi complex
5.9 Ribosomes
5.10 Endosomes
5.11 Vacuoles
5.12 Lysosomes
5.13 Microbodies
5.14 Hydrogenosome
5.15 Spherosome
5.16 Centrosome
5.17 Mitochondria and plastids
5.18 The cytoskeleton
5.19 Cell specialization
5.20 Special plant cells
6 Biological Membranes
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Plasma membrane
6.3 Transport of substances across cell membranes
6.4 Bulk transportation
6.5 Cell recognition
7 Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the Cell
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Cytoplasmic inheritance
7.3 Cytoplasmic inheritance in mitochondria and chloroplasts
7.4 Endosymbiotic theory of organelles
7.5 Mitochondrial biology and genetics
8 Plastids: Food Factory of the Cell
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Photosynthesis: Biological oxidation–reduction process
8.3 Plastids 190
8.4 Phases of photosynthesis: Light and dark reactions
8.5 Regulation of photosynthesis
8.6 Biogenesis of chloroplast and other plastid types
8.7 Peroxisomes
8.8 Genetic engineering of chloroplasts
9 Cell Division: Propagation of Genetic Information
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Eukaryotic cell cycle
9.3 Mitosis
9.4 Meiosis
10 Cell Signalling
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Cellular communication
10.3 Receptors and signalling pathways
10.4 Regulation of cell-surface receptors
10.5 Activation of transcription factors
10.6 Extracellular matrix: A source of developmental signals
10.7 Signal transduction and the cytoskeleton
11 Sensory Signalling
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Nervous system
11.3 Sensory system
12 Differentiation and Development
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Molecular mechanisms of development
12.3 Simple developmental models
12.4 Evolution of cell differentiation
12.5 Pattern formation
12.6 Morphogenesis in development
12.7 Environmental regulation of development
12.8 Life cycles and the evolution of developmental patterns
12.9 The egg
12.10 Model organism: Invertebrate
12.11 Tissue-specific DNA methylation and differentiation
13 Building Multicellular Organisms
13.1 Introduction
13.2 From unicellular to multicellular life
13.3 Multicellular organisms
13.4 Multicellularity in higher organisms
13.5 The extracellular matrix
13.6 Cell–cell interactions
14 Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Cytoskeletal filaments
14.3 Cytoplasmic microtrabecular system (lattice)
14.4 Covalent modification of cytoskeletal proteins
14.5 Cytoskeletal architecture
14.6 Extracellular signals
14.7 Plants
15 Growth, Sexual Reproduction and Ageing
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Growth
15.3 Reproduction
15.4 Ageing
15.5 Death
16 Cell Death and Cell Renewal
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Evolutionary origin of PCD
16.3 Morphological features of apoptosis
16.4 Molecular and biochemical markers for apoptosis
16.5 Functions of apoptosis
16.6 Apoptosis triggering mechanisms
16.7 Apoptosis and normal physiology
16.8 PCD: Oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes
16.9 Infection-induced apoptosis
16.10 Apoptosis in plants
16.11 Apoptosis in nematode
16.12 Applications of apoptosis
16.13 Cell renewal
17 Plant Growth and Development
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Plant development
17.3 Life cycle of flowering plants
17.4 Germination and vegetative development
17.5 Growth of the primary plant body
17.6 Primary root development
17.7 Shoot development
17.8 Leaf development
17.9 Secondary growth
17.10 Transition to reproductive phase
17.11 Development of reproductive cells
17.12 Pollination
17.13 Formation of endosperm and embryo
18 Immune Response
18.1 Introduction
18.2 The immune system
18.3 Three lines of defence
18.4 Natural and acquired immunity
18.5 Adaptive immunity
18.6 Antigen-presenting cells: Triggers for immune response
18.7 Specific immune systems
18.8 Generation of antibody diversity
18.9 Activation of B cells to produce antibodies
18.10 Cell-mediated responses
18.11 Immunodeficiency diseases
18.12 Immunologic tolerance and auto-immunity
18.13 Immunological therapy
19 Non-Cellular Life Forms
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Plasmids
19.3 Bacteriophage
19.4 Viruses
19.5 Subviral agents
20 Tools for the Study of Cells
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Size relationships
20.3 Microscopy
20.4 Spectroscopy
20.5 Flow cytometer
20.6 X-ray crystallography
20.7 Subcellular fractionation
20.8 Cell culture techniques
20.9 Model organisms used in molecular biology
Index
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