One of the prerequisites for survival is the ability of
cells to maintain their volume. Thus, during the course of
evolution cells have "learned" a variety of strategies to
achieve volume homeostasis. This volume regulatory machinery
involves regulation of both, cellular metabolism and
cellular transport and is exploited by hormones and
transmitters to regulate cellularfunction. This book to
illustrates the complex interplay of cell volume regulatory
mechanisms and cellular function in a variety of tissues.
However, our knowledge is still far from being conclusive,
and the present collection of reviews is thought to foster
further experimental efforts to unravel the role of cell
volume in the integrated function of cells.