Inside the Living Cell is an excellent 75-minute presentation, beginning with the discovery of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and continuing with modern, most recent insights, garnered from the electron microscope and a variety of new techniques. Section 1 relates cells to the macromolecules, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids and to their respective components: simple sugars, fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleotides. Section 2 explains the cell membrane thoroughly as a bilipid layer with embedded and surface proteins, functioning as a selectively permeable membrane in osmosis and diffusion, active and passive transport, and endocytosis and exocytosis. ATP is stressed in relation to such things as gating proteins. Also included are discussions of pinocytosis, hormones and their receptors in relation to cell vacuoles, and the electric charges of the cell membrane. The third section deals with energy. In it, the active transport of simple components of macromolecules is related to the use of chemical bond energy in anaerobic and aerobic exchanges of ADP and ATP. Aerobic electron transport in mitochondria is show in great detail, as are the light-dependent and light independent reactions in chloroplasts. Section 4 continues detailing biochemistry by relating enzymes to the breakdown of H2o2, replication, transcription, and translation. The last section presents DNA replication, mitosis, and cell division in unicellular and higher organisms, thoroughly incorporating the role of polymerase and error correction. Throughout, extremely fine, abundant examples and animations are used. Also, movement to various parts of the program is easily accomplished I recommend the program highly to high schools colleges, and the general public. JH-C,T, GA ++ AAAS Science Books and Films November/December 2004

Geared toward grades 6-9, Inside the Living Cell-another outstanding series in BioMEDIA's biology education catalog- features excellent microscopic photography to introduce viewers to the structure of various cells and cell processes. Divided into five 15-minute programs-"The Cell: Unite of Life," "The Outer Envelope," "how Cells Obtain Energy," "How Cells are Controlled," and "How Cells Reproduce"-each of which feature good narration and sound effects in addition to the sparkling visuals, the DVD also includes DVD-ROM-accessible teaching and study guides. The five programs are also available individually on VHS for $45 each. Highly recommended. Audience: Junior High, Senior High School (Lori Stevens) 3 ½ of 4 Stars Video Librarian January/February 2005 Volume 20, Issue 1