Life Itself: Exploring the Realm of the Living Cell

I have been looking for this book my whole life! Rensberger connects the most basic chemical reactions to how we're alive as human beings. I just read the description of human conception and it gripped me like a thriller novel, even though I know how it turns out. This book is my new "foundation" recommendation for friends who know I'm a biology buff and want to know where to start. The only hesitation I have is the date; the book is eight years old, and some of the information is notably dated. I am reading a library copy and holding out for an updated edition.

This is a remarkable book on the biology of the human cell in that it goes into a level of detail you would expect only in a textbook - without boring or confusing the reader, and in a relatively short book. How does Rensberger pull this off? Certainly with logical organization and clear writing, but there is more to it. He eliminates all but a whiff of organic chemistry. He takes advantage of the fact that evolution so often utilizes existing molecules and pathways to do new things: if you ignore some of the minor chemical modifications, one description covers many different processes. Most human cells can function on their own in a cell culture; a recurrent theme of the book is that human cells retain most of the capabilities of their free living ancestors, yet are coordinated into a single effective organism. From previous reading, I do know that Rensberger omitted some very interesting material on the learning and sensory capabilities of individual cells; e.g. many all over the body are sensitive to light. This topic would have benefited from his talent, and if necessary there is other material which could have been omitted. Development of the embryo is certainly interesting, but I don't quite see how it fits in with the rest of the book (as contrasted to cell reproduction); also, perhaps there was a little too much on molecular motors. The field of cellular biology is very dynamic, and Rennsberger gives the reader a good historical perspective, historical being like 20 years, to better appreciate what we now know. While theoretically this book requires no background, I would suggest it only for readers who already have some superficial knowledge of DNA and genetics - and who are truly interested in the subject area.

A great text to supplement boring textbook descriptions of the cell organelles. Honors/AP Bio students have truly enjoyed reading about the inner workings of the cells, the molecular motors that drive movement, and the genetic basis of life. A great book that brings contemporary biology to life. Highly recommended!

For most of us the cells that make up our bodies are as well known as aliens from another galaxy. I took college biology back in an era that seemed not far distant from when Leeuwenhoek developed the microscope. In that time cells seemed to be blobish creatures that led mysterious, ill-defined lives. Boyce Rensberger brings us a fascinating, up to date, tale of who these little people are. I say "little people", because in the telling of it you can't but wonder if these smallest parts of biological existence don't lead an almost sentient life. I found myself developing a personal theory that millions of years ago a group of cells got together and decided to build some big creatures that would go out and hunt food for them. They are in charge, not us.Our cells have ports in their membranes that require a special key to get in. If a morsel of cell food (glucose) arrives in a little boxcar (vesicle) it must have a key that fits in the membrane receptor. Vesicles travel around the cell cytoplasm on microtubules, which are like so many train tracks. A seven step process takes place that changes the glucose to pyruvate which is then shipped to little organelles called mitochrondia which change this substance to ATP which is the universal cell food. The marvelous thing is that things are moved, and acted on by various protein molecules. How do little things like molecules dash about carrying out various assignments? In another part of the book the author describes the replication of the chromosomes. Not only do molecules carry out this assignment, but another molecule checks the finished work for accuracy. Throughout the book I kept saying over and over, "but how can these molecules actually do this?" How do cilia and sperm cells wag? Essentially a protein molecule holds on to a stiff fiber, reaches over to another fiber and bends it towards the first fiber. Incredible.I'm just a layman, but this is one of the most exciting science books that I have ever read. Mr. Rensberger makes it very accessible by providing diagrams, and by using extremely useful analogies to help you understand a most complex life form. I've also taken a college course in human physiology, but these little microscopic life forms seem much more fascinating and complex than the operation of the human body itself.