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Books in Agricultural and biological sciences

The Agricultural and Biological Sciences collection advances science-based knowledge for the improvement of animal and plant life and for secure food systems that produce nutritious, novel, sustainable foods with minimal environmental impact. Food Science titles include not only those products from agriculture but all other aspects from food production to nutrition, health and safety, chemistry to security, policy, law and regulation. Biological Sciences address animal behaviour and biodiversity, organismal and evolutionary biology, entomology, marine biology and aquaculture, plant science and forestry.

    • The Biology of Marsupials

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Don II Hunsaker
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 3 0 4 3
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 3 6 2 2 5 0 1
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 6 2 0 3
      The Biology of Marsupials is a compilation and analysis of the research conducted on New World marsupials that covers both Australian and didelphid marsupials. It is organized into nine chapters that aim to bring scientific community the information available on certain aspects of marsupial biology. After presenting data on karyotypes, comparative serology, classification, and phylogenetic inferences of marsupials, this book goes on discussing the organism's chromosomes, cell cycles, and cytogenetics. A chapter covers the ecological strategies and adaptations of marsupial family, particularly, of the Didelphis virginiana. Another chapter discusses marsupial neurology; evidence of commonalities with eutherian nervous systems; distinctive features peculiar to the marsupial subclass; and neural specialization identification of particular genera and species in this subclass. The following chapter describes the plasticity, variability, and generability of the behavior patterns of marsupials. This book also describes the anatomy and histologic, embryologic, and gerontologic observations of Marmosa robinsoni. The concluding chapters discuss diseases of both American and Australasian marsupials based on zoological, wildlife, parasitological, and veterinary medical studies. Supplemental texts are also provided. This book is ideal for researchers in the fields of developmental anatomy, immunology, neurology, and many aspects of comparative medicine and behavior.
    • Phagocytosis—past and future

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Liana Bolis
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 1 5 4 4
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 0 0 0 5 0 6
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 4 6 9 8
      Phagocytosis—Past and Future is a collection of contributions by investigators who met in the Province of Messina, Sicily, in October 1980 to discuss the functions of phagocytic leukocytes in the host-parasite relationship. The topics discussed are largely in the areas of cell biology, cellular immunology, and biochemistry. They ranged from aspects of cellular movement and the ingestion process per se, to definition of substances that affect the function of phagocytic leukocytes and the nature of cidal mechanisms at the molecular level. This volume is organized into six sections encompassing 33 chapters and begins with an overview of Ilya Ilich Metchnikoff's life as well as his scientific contributions, particularly in the area of bacteriology and his research on mesodermal amoeboid cells. The next chapters focus on the mechanism of phagocytosis, with reference to aspects of cell membrane, cell movement, and ingestion. The reader is methodically introduced to the biochemical aspects of phagocytosis, from molecular modulations to energetics, oxygen radicals, and enzymes. The discussion then shifts to macrophages, their function in antigen recognition, receptor-mediated endocytosis in macrophage cell hybrids, and the role of phagocytosis in macrophage activation. The remaining chapters examine the cidal mechanisms of phagocytic leukocytes and aspects of inflammation. This book will be of interest to scientists and researchers in fields such as biology, biochemistry, immunology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology.
    • Experimental Morphogenesis and Integration of Plants

      • 1st Edition
      • Volume 18
      • December 2, 2012
      • J. Sebanek + 5 more
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 6 6 1 0 2
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 4 4 4 5 9 9 5 1 3
      In 1983, the book ``Experimental Plant Morphology'' was written in Czech by the above named authors. Widespread interest in the publication outside Czechoslovakia encouraged the authors to prepare this new English edition, ``Experimental Morphogenesis and Integration of Plants''. It is more than a mere translation of the original: the contents have been extended and further aspects of structural integrity and regulation in plants have been included, especially on the molecular, cellular and tissue level. The overall concept of the book is new and has been supplemented with the latest information on the subject.It aims to inform the scientific public, of current studies on morphogenesis and structural integration in plants. In addition, this book will show the possible way of regulating morphogenesis and structural integrity in plants with regard to the practical needs of agriculture, horticulture and silviculture.
    • The Behavior of Fish and Other Aquatic Animals

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • David Mostofsky
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 3 1 3 7 2 9
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 5 0 9 2 5 0 0
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 5 1 7 3 3
      The Behavior of Fish and Other Aquatic Animals provides a comprehensive discussion of the behavior of fish and other aquatic animals. It aims to fulfill the need for published materials that can responsibly depict the status quo of existing knowledge, and that can serve to educate the scientist seeking an organized presentation focused on biobehavioral issues and techniques. The book begins by exploring symbiotic relationships in fishes that range from broad multispecific types that have little or no intimacy between symbionts to intimate mutualistic relationships. It then presents studies on the feasibility of using teleost fish as subjects in behavioral toxicology experiments; the visual behavior of fishes; the role of the teleost telencephalon in behavior; and the auditory systems of fishes. The remaining chapters cover the behavior of turtles in land, sea, and fresh waters; visually guided behavior in turtles; the gas bubble disease of fish; and the advantages and limitations of acoustic telemetry, which has been used to obtain data from animals ranging in size from hatchling sea turtles to large tuna and sharks.
    • Biology of Termites

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Kumar Krishna
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 2 5 4 2 1
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 4 5 8 2
      Biology of Termites, Volume I presents the anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral laboratory and field studies of termite species. Although termites have been associated mainly with damage, only less than 10% of the species have actually been recorded as pests, obscuring their important ecological role in the breakdown of vegetative matter and their variety and complexity of structure, physiology, social behavior, caste differentiation and regulation, and other aspects of their biology. After briefly describing the social organization, classification, and research history of termites, the book discusses the external morphology of these species and the similarities and differences between the various groups and the different castes. The subsequent chapters cover the internal anatomy of termites, including their digestive physiology, exocrine and endocrine glands, reproductive and nervous systems, and sense organs. Other chapters deal with the social behavior and communication in the termites and the termite colonizing flights and associated activities. The book also examines caste differentiation in the three lower termite families, namely, Hodotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, and Rhinotermitidae. This volume includes discussions on the rearing, feeding, and biochemistry of termites; the radioisotopes for feeding studies; and the moisture requirements for termite survival. The concluding chapters deal with the introduction or interception of termites by humans and their association with fungi, as well as the relationships of termite hosts with termitophiles. Termite biologists, zoologists, botanists, ecologists, behaviorists, biochemists, endocrinologists, and economic entomologists will find this volume invaluable.
    • Ectomycorrhizae

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • G.C. Marks
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 6 3 0 3
      • Hardback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 7 2 8 5 0 9
      • eBook
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      Ectomycorrhizae: Their Ecology and Physiology provides an overview of the state of knowledge and opinion on the physiological ecology of ectomycorrhizae, which may be defined as symbiotic associations between nonpathogenic or weakly pathogenic fungi and living cells of roots. Although the book places considerable emphasis on forestry aspects of mycorrhizal problems, its wide ranging subject matter cuts across the boundaries of a number of traditional plant sciences. The book begins with discussions of the structure, cytology, and morphogenesis of mycorrhizae; their classification; and their distribution in native and man-made forests. It then deals with the growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi around seeds and roots; nutrition uptake; and the role of hormones in mycorrhizal development. The remaining chapters cover the rhizosphere; the role of mycorrhizae in feeder root diseases and the mechanisms for their resistance; and applications of mycorrhizal relations in forest management. This book will be of interest to a wide variety of researchers and teachers, especially agronomists, biochemists, foresters, horticulturists, mycologists, plant pathologists, soil scientists, plant ecologists, plant physiologists, and microbiologists.
    • Chemical Zoology V5

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Marcel Florkin
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 5 5 8 0
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 8 7 7 1
      Chemical Zoology Volume V Arthropoda Part A presents chemical information on zoological importance of Arthropoda. It is composed of 12 chapters that cover anatomy, feeding, and digestion; carbohydrate, nitrogen, and lipid metabolism; osmoregulation; and growth and development. After briefly dealing with general characteristics, evolution and classification of Arthropoda, the book discusses arthropod nutrition and the nutrients needed for their growth and development. It describes the unique features of the digestive system, as well as secretion, resorption, and production of digestive juices of arthropods and crustaceans. Other chapters deal with the aspects and dynamics of arthropods' carbohydrate, lipid, and nitrogen metabolism. The book also describes the mechanism of osmotic regulation in aquatic arthropods and the role of amino acids in this function in insect hemolyph. The concluding chapters discuss some of the metabolic changes as related to tissue growth and an increase in body size in arthropods. This book is an invaluable resource for zoologists and biochemists.
    • Plant Geography

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Rexford Daubenmire
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 3 1 6 8 8 1
      • eBook
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      Plant Geography: With Special Reference to North America covers main concepts of the two major approaches to plant geography, namely, the floristic plant geography and the ecologic plant geography. Floristic plant geography primarily studies evolutionary divergence, migration, and decline of taxa, as influenced by past events of the earth’s history. Ecologic plant geography is an alternative approach to plant geography, which takes plant communities as units having ranges to be interpreted, dominated by sociologic and physiologic, rather than phylogenetic and historic considerations. Under the floristic plant geography part, topics covered include interrelations among floristic plant geography, taxonomy, and geology; the relation between plant dissemination and migration; evidence of the dynamic character of plant ranges; and migratory route. After a brief introduction to the evolution of North and South America vegetation, the book discusses the ecologic plant geography section that focuses on various vegetation regions in North America, including Tundra, subarctic-subalpine forest, temperate mesophytic, xerophytic forest, and chaparral and steppe regions and temperate affinity forests in Middle America. Other regions examined include the desert and marine regions, as well as the microphyllous woodland, tropical savanna, rain forest, and tropical alpine. With great information on geologic history of each vegetation unit and paleontology, this book will be helpful to paleobotanists, historical geologists, and taxonomists.
    • Biology of Fertilization V3

      • 1st Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • Charles Metz
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 4 1 4 5 2 4 5
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 4 8 4 3 6
      The Fertilization Response of the Egg is the third and final volume of the Biology of Fertilization which provides a detailed discussion of the responses of the egg to the fertilizing sperm, collectively called as the activation of the egg. It is an anthology of physiological articles written by biology and physiology professionals. The book is divided into 12 chapters, half of which focused on the sea urchin egg fertilization, as it is the most studied form. The first two chapters cover the discussions on the first visible egg responses to fertilization and the formation of the fertilization membrane. The following chapter describes the relationship of sperm entry into the amphibian egg and the establishment of the symmetry of the embryo. Other chapters focus on the electrical and ionic changes of the egg plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The remaining parts of the book describe the synthetic activities in the egg that are initiated during fertilization. These include description of DNA and maternal RNA syntheses, nuclear-cytoplasm interactions, protein synthesis during oogenesis and early embryogenesis, and the expression of maternal messenger RNA. The book is an excellent reference for undergraduate and graduate biology students, specifically in physiology, embryogenesis, and developmental biology. It can also be an invaluable source of information for lecturers and professionals in biology.
    • Chilling, Freezing, and High Temperature Stresses

      • 2nd Edition
      • December 2, 2012
      • J Levitt
      • English
      • Paperback
        9 7 8 0 1 2 3 9 4 1 7 1 8
      • eBook
        9 7 8 0 3 2 3 1 6 1 6 3 3
      Responses of Plants to Environmental Stresses, Second Edition, Volume I: Chilling, Freezing, and High Temperature Stresses encompasses essentially all the environmental stresses that have been intensively investigated. However, this edition does not include mineral deficiencies, which comprise too broad and involve a field to be incorporated with other stresses. This book attempts to analyze the possibilities of developing unified concepts of stress injury and resistance. Organized into four parts, this edition first discusses the stress concepts, particularly the stress and strain terminologies, as well as the nature of stress injury and resistance. Stresses at chilling, freezing, and high-temperatures are addressed separately.