Book Title: The secret lives of cells
Subtitle: Foundations of veterinary cell biology and microbiology
Edited by Samantha Hamilton
Book Description: The Secret Lives of Cells is an introductory text designed to make foundational science and biological concepts accessible to a diverse range of learners. This book embodies the teaching pedagogy of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by incorporating multimodal delivery of content, which includes contextualised information, multimedia resources, reflective and critical thinking questions, and case studies. These elements are strategically integrated to save time for students by consolidating and contextualising information typically dispersed across multiple textbooks or sources. Learning outcomes are connected to practical applications in veterinary science.
Contents
Book Information
Book Description
The Secret Lives of Cells is an introduction to basic science and biological concepts for first-year veterinary science students. The textbook covers the foundations needed for further study in veterinary anatomy, histology, immunology and physiology.
Part I introduces the major groups of living organisms and their taxonomic relationships.
Part II covers basic principles of scientific measurement fundamental to veterinary practice.
Part III describes the major organ systems, tissues and cell types.
Part IV introduces cell structure and function.
Part V describes biochemistry and metabolic foundations of nutrition.
Part VI explains cell membranes and movement of substances within and between cells.
Part VII outlines communication between cells.
Part VIII introduces concepts of molecular biology and genetics and biotechnology.
Part IX (to be released later) covers the foundations of microbiology.
Licence
The secret lives of cells Copyright © 2025 by Charles Sturt University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
Subject
Biology, life sciences
Metadata
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The secret lives of cells Copyright © 2025 by Charles Sturt University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
This book is an adaptation and remix of:
- Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark, Matthew Douglas & Jung Choi (2018), OpenStax under a CC BY 4.0 International licence.
- Introductory animal physiology by Sanja Hininc-Frlog (2019), eCampusOntario under a CC BY 4.0 International licence.
- Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble & Peter DeSaix (2022), OpenStax, under a CC BY 4.0 International licence.
- A Guide to the principles of animal nutrition by Gita Cherian (2019), Oregon State University, under a CC BY NC 4.0 International licence.
- Fundamentals of Cell Biology by Lauren Dalton & Robin Young (2024), Oregon State University, under CC BY NC 4.0 International licence.
- Charles Sturt University veterinary science course material written by Sarah Teakal and Leigh Ladd.
See the Adaptation and Attribution frontmatter for details of content sources and changes in each chapter and for recommended attribution and referencing.
Trademarks, corporate logos and branding are specifically excluded from the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Licence of this work, and may not be reproduced under any circumstances without the written permission of the copyright holders.
Figure usage rights may vary from the text.
Cover image generated with Microsoft Copilot image creator (January 2025)
Icons are from Charles Sturt University and The Noun Project (Royalty-Free License)