"Principles of medical biology" is a treatise in 25 modules providing a holistic treatment of the main medical disciplines. The basic sciences including most of the achievements in cell and molecular biology have been blended with pathology and clinical medicine. The subject matter covered in preclinical and clinical courses has been reduced by almost one-third without sacrificing any of the essentials of a sound medical education. Over 700 internationally acclaimed medical scientists, pathologists, clinical investigators, clinicians and bioethicists are participants in this exciting undertaking. "Cell chemistry and physiology" is concerned with the way in which the traditional boundaries of these two disciplines are being erased by molecular biology. The first section of the book deals with the chemistry of actin and myosin and is followed by chapters examining cell motility, ATP synthesis in muscle and contraction in smooth and skeletal muscle. Emphasis is placed throughout these chapters on the contributions molecular biology is making to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle contraction. The volume is concluded with studies of thermobiology and human heat shock response. This volume both completes the module on cell chemistry and physiology and is an invaluable source of reference in its own right.