Skip to main content
View Cart

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.

  • Computer Programming in Quantitative Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • R.G. Davies
    • English
    Computer Programming in Quantitative Biology covers the general background of Fortran coding and the more sophisticated computer programs likely to be encountered in quantitative biology. It discusses the application of over 40 appropriate and easily adaptable programming techniques to problems of major biological interest. Organized into 15 chapters, the book starts by providing an introductory outline of computer structure and function needed to appreciate many basic programming procedures. A chapter discusses some general principles underlying Fortran coding and the use of digital computers, with emphasis on major features of Fortran IV. Other chapters present short introduction to the statistical or mathematical techniques in each of the main sections under which program are described. These chapters also provide some aspects of matrix algebra that are essential for serious statistical programming and offer a general guide to efficiency in programming. All complete programs are accompanied by a flowchart and a detailed discussion. This book is a valuable source of information for biologists, computational biologists, research biologists, undergraduate students, and advanced or specialized students of biology.

  • Phytopathogenic Prokaryotes V1

    • 1st Edition
    • Mark Mount
    • English
    Phytopathogenic Prokaryotes, Volume 1, provides an understanding of the diversity and complexity of diseases caused by phytopathogenic prokaryotes. It is part of a two-volume treatise that summarizes current research on these organisms. The book is organized into four parts. Part I covers the physical nature of prokaryotic phytopathogens as well as how they are presently classified, the limitation of this artificial classification, and the biology of the pathogen's invasion of plants. Part II presents conceptual hypotheses for the formation of the agricorpus (pathogen/host complex as a biological unit) and how this association may be detrimental or beneficial to both members of the unit. Other topics include the basic determinant of evolutionary change (the gene), and the evolution of vectors for dispersal of pathogens. Part III elaborates on the interaction at the plant/environment/pa... interface (the plant surface). It presents information on the interaction of prokaryotes in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere, and how this interaction developed. Part IV shows how prokaryotes affect their hosts once infection has been established. This information is presented in sequence progressing from the disease-causing mechanisms of the facultative endophytic pathogens to those of the obligate endophytic pathogens.

  • Quantitative Methods in The Study of Animal behavior

    • 1st Edition
    • Brian Hazlett
    • English
    Quantitative Methods in the Study of Animal Behavior covers a symposium on quantitative methods in behavior. In this book, mathematics is used in two ways – statistical approaches (techniques that describe the main patterns and variability of behavior patterns) and model building. Composed of six chapters, the book opens with a discussion on the three areas of classical ethology – social dominance, behavioral taxonomy, and behavioral variability. The following chapter focuses on the information theory as an ethological tool. In Chapter 3, application of multivariate analyses to diverse ethological data is discussed. The next part of the book discusses more in detail the animal behavioral patterns, relationships, and sequences. The book is a good reference for various fields such as biological science, marine science, and zoology. Students, teachers, scientists, and researchers interested in the aspects of statistics and patterns in animal behavior can make use of this book as a valuable resource.

  • Molecular Biophysics

    • 1st Edition
    • M Volkenstein
    • English
    Molecular Biophysics presents the fundamental principles of biophysics and their application to the study of the physical properties of biological macromolecules. The merger of biology and physics involves the development of sophisticated instrumentation and the molecular approach to the study of life phenomena. This book is composed of nine chapters and begins with an overview of the thermodynamical aspects and chemical foundations of biophysics. These topics are followed by the physical aspects of macromolecules, with a particular emphasis on the biological functions, conformation, and hydrophobic interactions of proteins. The subsequent chapter describes the structural and electro-optical properties of biopolymers based on X-ray, optical, and spectroscopic analysis. The discussion then shifts to enzymes, their chemical kinetics, catalytic potential, and conformational and cooperative properties. The remaining chapters explore the physical aspects of nucleic acids and the biosynthesis of proteins. This book will prove useful to molecular biophysicists, biologists, physicists, and researchers in the fields of life sciences.

  • Cell Biology of the Major Histocompatibility Complex

    • 1st Edition
    • Benvenuto Pernis
    • English
    Cell Biology of the Major Histocompatibility Complex documents the proceedings of a symposium on ""Cell Biology of the Major Histocompatibility Complex"" held at Arden House on the Harriman Campus of Columbia University from June 8 -10, 1984. The meeting was the ninth of the P & S Biomedical Sciences Symposia. The book is organized into five parts. Part I on the structure of MHC molecules includes papers on human histocompatibility antigens; the cloning of human MHC; and organization of the genes of the H-2 complex. Part II on alternate forms of MHC molecules includes studies on the expression of a secreted form of the MHC class I antigen and alternative splicing in the H-2 multigene family. Part III deals with MHC biosynthesis, intracellular transport, and membrane expression. It includes studies on the manipulation of glycans on antigens of the MHC and dynamics of MHC molecules in lymphoid cells. Part IV on homologues of class I MHC molecules covers topics such as Tla expression in normal and malignant cells and the Qa series of antigens. Part V on the association of MHC with antigens includes studies such as histocompatibility molecules as immune response gene products and molecular nature of T-cell recognition of antigen.

  • Immune Recognition and Evasion: Molecular Aspects of Host–Parasite Interaction

    • 1st Edition
    • L.H.T. Van Der Ploeg
    • English
    Immune Recognition and Evasion: Molecular Aspects of Host-Parasite Interaction reviews recent advances in understanding the genetic basis of host-parasite interactions, with emphasis on antigenic epitopes, the genetics of parasites, the molecular mechanisms of immune recognition and evasion, and the way that cytokines and hormones act on host-parasite interactions. Organized into four parts encompassing 25 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the genomic organization of the T cell receptor genes and the contribution of non-B DNA structures to switch recombination in immunoglobulin genes. It then discusses signal transduction by class II molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex la and the biological consequences of this process; allelic polymorphism of HLA class II antigens and its connection to the molecular basis of autoimmunity; mimicry between HLAB27 and bacteria; and genetic control of susceptibility to helminth infection. The reader is also introduced to recognition of protein antigens by antibodies; recognition of influenza antigens by class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes; the biochemical basis of cachexia of infection; mechanisms of antigenic variation in Plasmodium; and rational design of trypanocidal drugs. Geneticists and molecular biologists will gain valuable information from this book.

  • The Ontogeny of Vertebrate Behavior

    • 1st Edition
    • Howard Moltz
    • English
    The Ontogeny of Vertebrate Behavior is a collection of articles focused on the comparative psychology researches. The text is devoted to the development of vertebrate behavior, emphasizes the ontogenetic determinants, and answers questions related to the differentiation of selected response systems. The book is organized into 10 chapters that feature the concepts of vertebrate behavior and its ontogeny. It presents the study of behavioral development, as well as the visual perceptual systems and its evolution. It explains the perceptual abilities of the human infant and the early experience and problem-solving behavior. Cerebral effects of environmental manipulation and the behavioral phenomena are explained. The book also talks about the ontogeny of emotional, play, and exploratory behaviors; of sexuality and maternal behavior; and of mother-infant relations. It also discusses the principle and procedure of imprinting. Finally, it explains the vocal learning of avian species and the ontogeny of language, as well as the vocal abnormalities. This text will be invaluable to the students, novices, and professionals in psychology, ethology, endocrinology, and behavioral and developmental biology.

  • Biochemistry and Genetics of Yeast

    Pure and Applied Aspect
    • 1st Edition
    • Metry Bacila
    • English
    Biochemistry and Genetics of Yeasts: Pure and Applied Aspects consists of papers presented at a symposium organized by the Academia Brasileira de Ciencias held at the Universidade de Sao Paulo, on December 4-10, 1977. Organized into seven parts, this book reveals relevant and exciting developments in the areas of yeast genetics, respiration and fermentation, metabolic regulation, cell wall structure, synthesis of macromolecules, and transport. It demonstrates the presence of great progress in the knowledge of structure and functions of the yeast mitochondrial DNA. This book will be useful to scientific institutes and university laboratories interested in the biochemistry, genetics, and technology of yeasts.

  • Chemistry and Biological Activities of Bacterial Surface Amphiphiles

    • 1st Edition
    • Gerald Shockman
    • English
    Chemistry and Biological Activities of Bacterial Surface Amphiphiles is a collection of papers presented at a workshop entitled Chemistry and Biological Activities of Bacterial Surface Amphiphiles, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, January 12, 1981. The goals of the workshop were to review the state of knowledge of bacterial amphiphiles; to consider and possibly standardize approaches to testing for biological activities of amphiphiles; to set guidelines for criteria of purity of amphiphile preparations used in biological testing; to determine major future avenues in amphiphile research; and to foster future cooperative research in the field. The book is organized into eight parts. Part I contains papers on the chemical composition and biological properties of bacterial amphiphiles. Part II presents studies on the extraction and purification of amphiphiles. The papers in Part III focus on the detection and quantitation of bacterial amphiphiles. Part IV presents studies on the physical properties of bacterial amphiphiles. The contributions in Parts V and VI deal with the biosynthesis of amphiphiles and the role of amphiphiles in the producing organisms, respectively. Part VII examines interactions of bacterial amphiphiles with mammalian systems. Part VIII presents the final plenary session to the workshop, which reviewed areas of discussion that followed the formal presentations.

  • Breastfeeding and Food Policy in a Hungry World

    • 1st Edition
    • Dana Raphael
    • English
    Breastfeeding and Food Policy in a Hungry World documents the proceedings of the International Conference on Human Lactation held by the New York Academy of Sciences in March 1977. The contributions made by researchers at the conference are organized into five sections. Section One presents studies on the family contexts of breastfeeding and social myths and economic realities of breastfeeding. Section Two examines cultural factors in infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding practices of women in India, Nigeria, and China. Section Three deals with the economic and commercial aspects of infant weaning foods. It includes studies on economics of food aid programs; the difficult problems involved in developing a dairy industry in warm climates; and the effects on breastfeeding of the present political climate. Section Four presents studies on physiological, psychological, public health, and political considerations in human lactation. Section Five describes several programs designed to improve the health of children. These include nonformal education to help women help themselves and their families, and food subsidies and decentralization of service to improve the health of poor people.

Related subjects