By understanding how cells work in healthy and diseased states, cell biologists working in animal, plant and medical science will be able to develop new vaccines, more effective medicines, plants with improved qualities and through increased knowledge a better understanding of how all living things live. The current book is focused on the types of molecules within cells, the central role of proteins as biological catalysts, the generation and utilization of metabolic energy, the biosynthesis of major cell constituents, and the structure of biological membranes. An appreciation of these chemical foundations forms the basis for understanding the diverse aspects of cell structure and function that will be discussed throughout the text.