Physical Biology of the Cell is an innovative text that explores how the basic tools and insights of physics and chemistry are able to illuminate the study of molecular and cellular biology. Drawing upon key examples and seminal experiments from cell biology, the book demonstrates how fundamental, quantitative models can help refine our understanding of existing biological data and also be used to make predictions. The book attempts to bridge traditional models in cell biology, particularly the use of cartoons, with the quantitative approach of traditional physics, in order to introduce the reader to both the possibilities and boundaries of the emerging field of physical biology. While teaching physical model building in cell biology through a practical, case-study approach, the text explores how and why quantitative modeling may ultimately contribute to a more profound, intuitive understanding of cell biology.