The main goal of ASKING ABOUT CELLS is to evoke from students a desire to learn more about cell biology, which stems from gaining an understanding of the processes by which researchers discover the connections between cells and the rest of biology. By breaking down the typically encyclopedic walls of molecular and cellular detail, this text concentrates on presenting material through the energy of inquiry, revealing to students the questioning nature of cell biology.This exciting new cell biology text is designed for a one-semester, introductory course for instructors who wish to emphasize basic concepts and principles. This text portrays and emphasizes how the ongoing process of scientific inquiry has led to our knowledge of how cells operate. In this new text, cell biology is portrayed as a dynamic blend of curiosity and observation that has led to new questions and to a continuing quest to understand fundamental life processes.