The aim of the course is to provide students with a brief, concise but accurate and in-depth presentation of the basic concepts of cell biology, including a taste of the latest relevant scientific findings to stimulate the curiosity and interest of the students. The book provides the basics for understanding at molecular level, how a cell works, how it uses and produces energy, how it maintains its structure, how it recognizes and processes messages, how it grows, etc. This basic knowledge is the foundation for the development and understanding of modern Biotechnology.

Units included: Cell Structures. Nucleic Acids, Proteins, Polysaccharides, Lipids. Energy, Catalysis and Biosynthesis. DNA and Chromosomes. DNA Copy, Repair and Recombination. Structure of Membranes. Lipid Bilayer. Membrane proteins. Membrane transport. Cells obtain energy from food.