This book describes how cells work. It challenges the current wisdom of cell function, and presents a new, simpler approach to fundamental processes such as movement, transport, division, and communication, based on sound physical principles. The book is profusely illustrated with many color figures. It is written for the non-expert in an accessible, often humorous style.
| Acknowledgements |
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vi | |
| Preface |
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x | |
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Section I. Toward Ground Truth |
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This section deals with generally accepted views of cell biology. By peeling back layers of assumption, it attempts to get at the core of truth. In the end, an unorthodox conclusion is drawn about the nature of the cell |
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1 | (2) |
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3 | (22) |
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The Croak of the Dying Cell |
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25 | (14) |
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39 | (14) |
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Section II. Building From Basics |
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This section pursues elementary cell function, with emphasis on water and protein surfaces. We see how the interaction of these two elements gives rise to ion partitioning, cell potential, and several other of the most basic features of cell physiology in ways that differ from current views |
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51 | (2) |
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53 | (24) |
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77 | (10) |
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87 | (12) |
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99 | (14) |
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Section III. An Hypothesis for Cell Function |
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Building on previous chapters, this section advances the hypothesis that cell function resembles gel function. It examines the role of the phase-transition in gels, and considers the potential for a similar role in cells |
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111 | (2) |
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Phase Transition: A Mechanism for Action |
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113 | (20) |
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Section IV. Approaching Cell Dynamics |
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This section pursues details of active cell function. Building on previous chapters, it explores the possibility that diverse cellular actions are mediated by a common mechanism-the phase-transition |
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131 | (2) |
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133 | (12) |
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145 | (18) |
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163 | (22) |
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185 | (22) |
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207 | (18) |
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225 | (26) |
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Section V. Tying Loose Ends |
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This section considers issues common to the preceding chapters. It begins with cellular evolution and energetics, and then moves on to explore the underlying themes that integrate the material of the book |
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249 | (2) |
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251 | (16) |
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A New Paradigm for Cell Function |
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267 | (18) |
| References |
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285 | (14) |
| Index |
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299 | |
Professor Gerald Pollack is Founding Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal, WATER and is recognized as an international leader in science and engineering. The University of Washington Faculty chose Pollack, in 2008, to receive their highest annual distinction: the Faculty Lecturer Award. He was the 2012 recipient of the coveted Prigogine Medal for thermodynamics of dissipative systems. He has received an honorary doctorate from Ural State University in Ekaterinburg, Russia, and was more recently named an Honorary Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Foreign Member of the Srpska Academy. Pollack is a Founding Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering and a Fellow of both the American Heart Association and the Biomedical Engineering Society. He recently received an NIH Director's Transformative R01 Award for his work on water, and maintains an active laboratory in Seattle.Pollack's interests have ranged broadly, from biological motion and cell biology to the interaction of biological surfaces with aqueous solutions. His 1990 book, Muscles and Molecules: Uncovering the Principles of Biological Motion, won an Excellence Award from the Society for Technical Communication; his subsequent book, Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life, won that Society's Distinguished Award. Pollack is recognized worldwide as a dynamic speaker and a scientist willing to challenge any long-held dogma that does not fit the facts.
