The field of cell biology is built on a foundation of discoveries stretching back to the earliest descriptions of cell theory in the 1800s. Today, our growing insight into cells and their control of life functions continues to generate advances in areas such as medicine, agriculture, genetics, and reproduction. This book traces the rise of cell biology and explains biological concepts through easy-to-follow text. Sidebars provide biographies of key scientists and descriptions of the evolution of microscopes and other significant technologies. Along the way, the reader travels deep inside the cell, following the path of scientists as they unlock its mysteries.