The many exciting developments in cell and molecular biology in recent years have important implications for the practice of medicine. The purpose of this new text is to bring these developments to the attention of undergraduates taking courses in biochemistry. The emphasis is on topics (membrane structure and function, hormone action and secretion) where current knowledge of macromolecular and cellular structure and function is likely to contribute most to understanding the underlying pathology of common multifactorial diseases. The book also outlines the basic features of recombinant DNA techniques and the impact they are having in the diagnosis, treatment and knowledge of disease processes.