Essentials of Molecular Biology, Fourth Edition focuses on the fundamental aspects of molecular structure and function by reviewing key features, and along the way, capsulizing them as a series of concise concepts. Thus, students are encouraged to place the essential knowledge of molecular biology into broad contexts and thereby develop both academic and personal meaning for this discipline. Essential Molecular Biology is organized into a series of four modules on The Structure of Proteins, Nucleic Acids, and Macromolecular Complexes; Function of Macromolecules; Coordination of Macromolecular Function in Cells and Experimental Manipulation of Macromolecules that provide instructors with an opportunity to scale the treatment of various topics up or down, depending on the level of the students and the overall curriculum format. Key Features A Layering approach to knowledge construction is employed, developing complexity chapter-by-chapter, rather than presenting a series of detail-Laden descriptions all at once.  The Fourth Edition of Essentials of Molecular Biology captures the essence of each major aspect of the discipline of molecular biology, from review of structure to discussion of proteomics.  Genomics, bioinformatics, and proteomics chapter – a new chapter reviews cutting-edge research.  An associated Web site that includes useful additional information: http://biology.jbpub.com/molecularbio  A Student Manual by Pamela Hanratty and George Malacinski is available as a study aid to Essentials of Molecular Biology, Fourth Edition. The manual includes reviews of key concepts, exercise, concept maps, review questions, problem-solving guides, research resources, and a few other fun features that are difficult to categorize. Table of Contents Preface Prologue Welcome to Molecular Biology Part I: The Structure of Proteins, Nucleic Acids, and Macromolecular Complexes: Macromolecules Nucleic Acids The Physical Structure of Protein Molecules Macromolecular Interactions and the Structure of Complex Aggregates Part II: Function of Macromolecules: The Genetic Material DNA Replication Transcription Translation Mutations, Mutagenesis, and DNA Repair Part III: Coordination of Macromolecular Function in Cells: Regulation of Gene Activity in Prokaryotes Regulation of Gene Activity in Eukaryotes Genomics and Proteomics Drive Information-Age Biology Part IV: Experimental Manipulation of Macromolecules: Transposons, Plasmids, and Bacteriophage Recombinant DNA and Genetic Engineering Molecular Biology Is Expanding Its Reach Postscript Appendix List of Essential Concepts of Molecular Biology Glossary Answers to Questions and Problems Index.