- A newly updated chapter (Chapter 1) on Plant Cells, including new information on the endomembrane system, the cytoskeleton, and the cell cycle.
- A new chapter (Chapter 2) on Genome Structure and Gene Expression
- A new chapter (Chapter 14) on Signal Transduction
- Updates on recent developments in the light reactions and the biochemistry of photosynthesis, respiration, ion transport, and water relations
- In the phytochrome, blue-light, hormone and development chapters, new information about signaling pathways, regulatory mechanisms, and agricultural applications
- Coverage of recent breakthroughs on the control of flowering
- Three new Appendices on Concepts of Bioenergetics, Plant Kinematics, and Hormone Biosynthetic Pathways As with prior editions, the Fifth Edition is accompanied by a robust Companion Website. New material has been added here as well, including new Web Topics and Web Essays.