The second edition addresses recent discoveries and advances, corresponding to our ever-changing understanding of molecular biology. In addition to the text updates listed here, there are numerous new figures and photos, along with significantly updated figures in every chapter. There are also new end-of-chapter questions for every chapter and many new Unanswered Questions.
Chapter 1. Evolution, Science, and Molecular Biology
Updated discussions on evolution and the scientific method.
Chapter 2. DNA: The Repository of Biological Information
Updated discussion of the central dogma
Updated and expanded discussion of the types of RNA
Chapter 3. Chemical Basis of Information Molecules
New Moment of Discovery
Expanded discussion of nucleosides
Revised and expanded section: The Hydrophobic Effect Brings Together Nonpolar Molecules
New section: Electronic Interactions Between Bases in Nucleic Acids
Chapter 4. Protein Structure
Expanded section: Amino Acids Are Categorized by Chemical Properties
Significantly expanded discussion of protein purification, including Highlight 4-1
New section: Intrinsically Unstructured Proteins
Expanded section on protein families
Significantly expanded section on protein folding and computational biology
Chapter 5. Protein Function
New Moment of Discovery
Chapter 6. DNA and RNA Structure
Expanded discussion of the instability of RNA
New Highlight (6-1 Technology)
New discussion of riboswitches
Chapter 7. Studying Genes
Expanded discussion on obtaining DNA fragments to clone
Thoroughly updated section on next-gen and other modern DNA sequencing technologies.
New section on genome editing, incorporating the exciting new advances with programmable nucleases
Chapter 8. Genomes, Transcriptomes, and Proteomes
Expanded Highlight 8-1, now including discussion of the microbiome
Updated section on noncoding DNA
Expanded section on mass spectrometry
10. Nucleosomes, Chromatin, and Chromosome Structure
New Moment of Discovery
Significantly expanded discussion of histone modifications, including a new table
Chapter 11. DNA Replication
Expanded discussion of the b sliding clamp
Expanded discussion of the Pol III holoenzyme
Updated and expanded discussion of eukaryotic replication forks
Updated and expanded section: Eukaryotic Origins "Fire" Only Once per Cell Cycle
New section: Telomeres and Telomerase Solve the End Replication Problem in Eukaryotes
New Highlight (11-2): Short Telomeres Portend Aging Diseases
Chapter 12. DNA Mutation and Repair
New Moment of Discovery
New table (overview of DNA repair processes)
Chapter 13. Recombinational DNA Repair and Homologous Recombination
Updated and expanded sections on double-strand break repair and reconstruction of replication forks
Updated section on meiotic recombination
Chapter 14. Site-Specific Recombination and Transposition
Updated and expanded introductory section on transposable elements and site-specific recombination
Updated and expanded section: Precise DNA Rearrangements Are Promoted by Site-Specific Recombinases
Reorganized section on the use of site-specific recombination systems in biotechnology
Updated and expanded sections on transposition
Chapter 15. Transcription: DNA-Dependent Synthesis of RNA
Updated section on transcription elongation
Updated and expanded discussion on role of transcription factors
Updated and expanded discussion of termination mechanisms among RNA polymerases
Chapter 16. RNA Processing
Streamlined chapter organization
Expanded discussion of P bodies
Chapter 18. Protein Synthesis
Streamlined chapter organization
Updated discussion on protein release factors
Updated discussion on nuclear export signals
Chapter 19. Regulating the Flow of Information
Updated section: Gene Expression Is Regulated through Feedback Loops (now includes inducer exclusion)
Chapter 22. The Posttranscriptional Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
Expanded section on alternative splicing, including ESEs and ESSs
Updated section on RNA interference
New section: RNAs Regulate a Myriad of Cellular Processes
Updated section on the developmental potential of stem cells
New MediaLaunchPad is a dynamic, fully integrated learning environment that brings together all of our teaching and learning resources in one place. It also contains the fully interactive
eBook and
other newly updated resources for students and instructors, including the following:
Simulations
Created using the art from the text, the simulations reinforce understanding of core concepts and techniques by letting students interact with the structures and processes that they have encountered. A game-like format guides students through the simulations, and gradable, multiple-choice questions after each one let instructors assess whether students have thoroughly understood them:
- DNA/RNA Structure (Chapter 6)
- PCR (Chapter 7)
- Sanger Sequencing (Chapter 7)
- DNA Replication (Chapter 11)
- DNA Polymerase (Chapter 11)
- Mutation and Repair (Chapter 12)
- Transcription (Chapter 15)
- mRNA Processing (Chapter 16)
- Nucleotide Structure (Chapter 3)
- Translation (Chapter 18)
- CRISPR (Chapter 7 and Chapter 19)
Nature Articles with Assessment
Specifically selected for both alignment with text coverage and exploration of identified difficult topics, the Nature articles include assessment questions that can be automatically graded. Open-ended questions that are suitable for use in flipped classrooms and active learning discussions either in class or online are also included.
New Clicker Questions
Instructors can integrate active learning in the classroom and assess students’ understanding of key concepts during lectures.
Updated Test Bank
The test bank offers at least 40 multiple-choice and short-answer questions for each chapter.
Key Term Flashcards
Students can review the definitions of all of the glossary terms and quiz themselves.
Textbook Images and Tables
Available as high-resolution JPEG files, these images have been fully optimized and tested in a large lecture hall to ensure maximum clarity and visibility.
Take a Look
