By OUP Oxford

Maintain that resting potential, now!, 2006-12-01
The question was: what (or whatever) maintains the resting membrane potential nowadays! I always thought that it was the sodium pump (or Na K ATPase etc.). Recently, I heard: No, it is not the sodium pump that maintains the resting potential. So I checked both the Oxford and the Penguin Dictionaries of Biology. Oxford says that the resting potential is maintained by the sodium pump; however, the Penguin says it is the leaky potassium channels, and sodium pump plays a slight role. Well, it is one of those academic debates, it would seem--which really mean nothing--because nothing is at stake! The debate is from confusing maintenance, recovery, and repair--perhaps. Is it the resting potential (a thing being maintained) or is it the repolarization after a depolarization (a thing in recovery) that we are talking about? Is maintenance still maintenance if you spend energy in extruding the smaller atoms out--well: a running car can be maintained only by spending money? Perhaps, after all, it is only the usual confusion of the frogs in a well: they can only see the stars in their own horizons. The whole biological process has several components, and to know which is the one--well, just take one out and see if the process holds and functions. Which brick is the most important in a wall? Clearly, the truth is never simple, and possibly there is no such thing as the truth. Things evolve using all of the components--and are what they are. So, I guess it is always the context and it is always relative: point of view etc. There is no simple correct answer because the question is incorrectly formulated--without the necessary context. What is more important in the running of a car: the engine or the gas? So get both the Oxford and Penguin--they complement, and both are useful when viewed and understood in the right context: neither can replace the textbook; and no textbook replaces all the source materials--but you need to start somewhere. For a rich fantasy life read Ayul Zamir's Intern Beth. Now, whatever maintains that resting membrane potential!

Author: William H. Elliott, Daphne C. Elliott
By OUP Oxford

An easy to understand Biochemistry text book, 2005-12-31
This is a great text book for biochemistry if you need find and understand the facts fast. It has great diagrams and illustrations that make it easy to visualise the concepts and it is written in a way that makes it easy to understand complex mechanisms.

Author: Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Peter Walter, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts
By Garland Publishing Inc,US

A must for biology undergraduates., 2005-12-03
A really good textbook for all undergraduate biology and biochemistry students. One of the only books I consistently used throughout my course. I am now a teacher, and often use it to help bridge the gap for my students between A levels and university. It is very clear and the diagrams are excellent. If I were a student considering buying this book, I am not sure that I would spend the extra money on buying the latest edition. It costs enough to go to university as it is! If you do buy it used though, make sure it's in good condition as it will be well used.

Author: Peter Wood
By Prentice Hall

ideal for the basics, 2008-04-16
This book is ideal for medical students who just need the basics about immunology. Its possible to read the entire book from cover to cover and understand most (if not all) of what is written. There are no flashy diagrams or colour pictures, however the text is almost perfect. You will understand how the body fights infection once you have read it.

Author: Harvey Lodish, James E. Darnell, etc.
By W.H.Freeman & Co Ltd

Great....but not that great, 2001-08-30
A tolerable reference, especially for cell signalling/transduction, but not the killer text everyone makes it out to be. Having just finished the first year of a microbiology/virology degree, I can honestly say that I have used Lubert Stryer's Biochemistry more frequently, and if you want cell biology, buy a copy of Molecular Biology Of The Cell by Alberts et al. instead. Of course, if you like nice bright pictures, then this is probably for you. Otherwise, the money is better spent elsewhere.

Author: Lauren Pecorino
By OUP Oxford

Very easy to read and refer to, 2007-11-28
I am finding this book very good to work with while studying cancer. It gives good diagrams, study tips and helps you to understand the subject overall.

Author: Michael O'Shea
By OUP Oxford

the brain, 2008-09-05
a very good introduction in terms of getting you interested and it is fairly easy to understand. for someone with no previous knowledge of any biology it might seem a bit heavy but as long as you concentrate in the harder places it's not a problem. obviously it doesn't give a complete overview and some areas have to much or too little focus but it is an interesting and enthusiastic introduction which is a good way to decide if you are really interested in this kind of stuff, and if you are it points you in the right direction well with a further reading list. so if you have always wondered about how your brain and neuronal sensory and motor systems work this give you a good way to ease into the area, and will take you at most a two evenings to read.

Author: Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
By Garland Science

the reference standard, 2007-12-02
Classic textbook that will be of interest not just to undergraduates and researchers, but also to anyone curious about molecular biology or how a cell works. It simultaneously provides detailed information as well as a comprehensive overview of the field. The latter point is not easily accomplished because there is a huge number of new papers published in molecular and cellular biology each year. These guys manage to keep the bird's eye view in mind while covering such topics as cellular evolution, molecular genetics, internal organization of the cell, cell-cell interactions, the immune system, and cancer. Every student in the biological sciences should read this book from cover to cover. Author of Adjust Your Brain: A Practical Theory for Maximizing Mental Health.

Author: T.A. Brown
By Garland Science

Best Molecular Genetics Textbook!, 2008-09-09
This is an updated version (2006) which is significantly better than previous edition. Compared to Human Molecular Genetics (Strachan & Read), the Genome 3 is by far an easier textbook to read with excellent illustrations and an accompanying CD with all photos in jpeg or powerpoint ready figures - excellent for Lecturers who teach on the subject!! It has good introduction from DNA to genes to DNA replication /transcription/translation and more. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in molecular genomics especially undergraduates science/medical/dental students.

Author: Bill Indge, Margaret Baker, Martin Rowland
By Hodder & Stoughton

clear and concise provides a good basis for A-level biology., 2002-01-25
it has all the basics needed and explains ideas in an excellent fasion. It provides a clear understanding of biology.