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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.

  • Physiology

    • 1st Edition
    • Dennis E. Buetow
    • English
    The Biology of Euglena, Volume III: Physiology covers areas of investigation on Euglena, focusing in particular on its physiology. The book demonstrates the wide utilization and research on the members of the genus, especially Euglena gracilis. The book discusses, in particular, the essential features of organelle distribution and structure in Euglena, and euglenoid surfaces. It presents circadian rhythms reported for Euglena, as well as the organism’s movement and locomotion. It also explains the various aspects of sensory responses of Euglena gracilis to photic, chemical, and mechanical stimuli. In addition, the book addresses the stimulation and inhibition of the metabolism and growth of Euglena gracilis. Lastly, the Euglena chloroplast membrane, including its structure, function, and photocontrol of its development are described.
  • Genetics of Sex Differentiation

    • 1st Edition
    • Ursula Mittwoch
    • English
    Genetics of Sex Differentiation intends to help readers understand the genetic basis of sex differentiation. The book focuses on explaining how the sex chromosomes affect the process of sex differentiation by influencing the rates at which cells divide. The book is composed of seven chapters. It provides overviews of classical genetics and structure of cells. It also explains the chromosomal basis of sex determination and sex determination using Drosophila. Polygenetics and continuous and quasicontinuous variations are also discussed. The book also discusses sex factors, determination, and disorders. Moreover, it explains the heterochromatin, embryological basis of sex differentiation, and triploidy and autosomal effects. In addition, it discusses the relationship of genes, chromosomes, growth, and sex. The book is an excellent ""bedside book"" for students in biology, specifically in genetics and developmental biology. Lecturers and professionals in biology and genetics will also find this book invaluable for their practice.
  • Developmental Aspects of the Cell Cycle

    • 1st Edition
    • Ivan Cameron
    • English
    Developmental Aspects of the Cell Cycle discusses the molecular, organelle, cellular, and organismal levels of cell cycle, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. It addresses the possible antagonism between the ability of cells to proliferate and to differentiate. After brief historical, theoretical, and methodological background information for each cell system, this book concentrates on the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The book presents systems in which mass cultures of cells can be induced to undergo a synchronous transition from one cell state to another, enabling the amplification of cellular and biochemical events to be analyzed with the available morphological and biochemical techniques. Some chapters explain the possibility of cell state production by a microenvironment that occurs at the organismal level, in which a series of mitotic and growth steps causes cells proliferation. The concluding chapters discuss cell proliferation and differentiation in specific cell system, such as embryonic chick and male germ cell. This book will appeal to investigators in many disciplines, teachers, and life sciences students, particularly, to molecular, cellular, and developmental biologists.
  • Biological Applications of Liquid Scintillation Counting

    • 1st Edition
    • Yutaka Kobayashi
    • English
    Biological Applications of Liquid Scintillation Counting, based on a series of lectures given at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, discusses the various biological applications of liquid scintillation counting and presents its principles in a manner that is simple, practical, and useful. This book explains the fundamentals of scintillators and the scintillation process, from sample preparation to testing and setting up a counter and the application of radiotracers. This text is organized into six chapters and begins with a historical overview of liquid scintillation counting, emphasizing two major events that stimulated its development: the discovery of organic compounds called ""scintillators"" and the introduction of photomultiplier tubes. This book considers the factors that affect the performance of photomultiplier tubes, including temperature and magnetic fields, and the use of liquid scintillation counting to measure radioactivity. The discussion then shifts to the factors that must be taken into account when choosing a method for preparing samples, including the physical and chemical characteristics of the sample, the isotope or isotopes of the sample, and the anticipated level of radioactivity. The following chapters look at the general considerations when installing a liquid scintillation counter, procedures for applying radiotracers, and practical aspects of sample preparation. This book is intended for physicists and experimental biologists.
  • Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

    • 1st Edition
    • Robert Olson
    • English
    Protein-Calorie Malnutrition reviews the state of knowledge of metabolic phenomena in the syndromes embraced by the general term protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM), and places this new knowledge in perspective with the traditional descriptions of kwashiorkar and marasmus. The clarification it provides constitutes a benchmark for design of future programs of prevention, therapy, rehabilitation, research, or teaching. Highly noteworthy are the new advances in amino acid and protein metabolism; the enlightening evidence concerning lysine and carnitine; the evidences of derangements or deficiencies of the broad spectrum of nutrients from carbohydrates to vitamins and minerals; and the implications of these for recovery and therapy. This book includes papers on the following: the impact of age on amino acid requirements; the mechanisms of adaptation to low-protein intakes; the metabolic consequences of essential amino acid deficiency in higher animals; carbohydrate metabolism; vitamin deficiencies associated with PCM; and mineral metabolism in PCM. Other studies deal with the effects of malnutrition on endocrine function; liver function in PCM; the synergistic interaction of malnutrition and infection; and the treatment and prevention of PCM.
  • Free Radicals in Biology V1

    • 1st Edition
    • William Pryor
    • English
    Free Radicals in Biology, Volume 1, provides an introduction to some of the basic concepts of free radical biology. The book emerged from the President's Symposium of the American Society for Experimental Pathology held in Atlantic City in April 1970. The book's opening chapter introduces a mechanistic view of free radical reactions using examples from biological systems. This is followed by a discussion of autoxidative damage to lipids in membranes. Some of the special chemistry of lipid oxidation are presented, and a number of novel ideas are suggested. The third chapter deals with the uses of electron-spin resonance in biology. Spin labeling is also discussed, which is one of the most useful methods of probing the chemical and physical environment of molecules in cells. The remaining chapters cover free radicals which occur in photosynthesis and the importance of the enzyme, superoxide dismutase. The study of the occurrence and reactions of this enzyme provides an important and extensive body of data clearly pointing to the significance of free radicals in cellular chemistry.
  • Reproductive Pathology of Domestic Mammals

    • 1st Edition
    • Mark McEntee
    • English
    This book evolved from a series of lectures and laboratories given by Dr. Kenneth McEntee to students at Cornell University, the University of Illinois, and Tufts University and is based on tissues from over 20,000 cases of reproductive disease in the International Registry of Reproductive Pathology, founded by Dr. McEntee. Dr. McEntee brings into sharp focus what is known of reproductive pathology in North America and abroad. His book will be an invaluable text and reference for those working on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of reproductive failures of all kinds.
  • The Mangoes

    Their Botany, Nomenclature, Horticulture and Utilization
    • 1st Edition
    • A.J.G.H. Kostermans
    • English
    The Mangoes: Their Botany, Nomenclature, Horticulture and Utilization provides a comprehensive discussion of existing mango species and their value in the common mango (Mangifera indica) industry. It covers mango species growing in very dry areas, like savannahs; species growing on inundated lands; at altitudes over 1000 m in the tropics and at higher latitudes outside the tropics; under monsoon climate conditions and under constantly wet conditions; and so-called wild species that compete in flavor with the common mango. The book begins with an overview of the genus Mangifera, covering distribution, ecology, morphology, and development. The remaining chapters discuss the phytochemistry and chemotaxonomy of the Anacardiaceae with special emphasis on Mangifera; conservation of Mangifera species; a historical overview of the development of knowledge of Mangifera; subdivision of the genus; species of uncertain position; and excluded species. The book also includes a list of references along with indexes to scientific names, vernacular names, and collection numbers. The present text was written for horticulturists and mango growers. However, it may also be useful to scientific botanists, ecologists, students, and teachers.
  • Insect Colonization and Mass Production

    • 1st Edition
    • Carroll Smith
    • English
    Insect Colonization and Mass Production reviews the great strides that have been made in the colonization and mass production of insects, including the methods used in rearing representative species and the general principles of nutrition and management that can be applied to the colonization of other species. The book highlights some of the notable successes in mass production and some examples of groups in which the difficulties inherent in laboratory rearing have not yet been overcome. Organized into five sections encompassing 39 chapters, this book begins with an overview of research in entomology that is facilitated by the availability of thriving insect colonies, along with the possibility of controlling insects directly by utilizing the insects, themselves, or by utilizing products derived from insects. Each chapter contains some historical background, as well as a description of the most efficient methods of production. Some chapters are concerned with only a single species, serving as an example of its taxonomic group, and to a lesser extent of other insects with similar nutritional and environmental requirements. Other chapters discuss rearing methods for entire groups of species that share common requirements. Insects covered by the book range from lice and ticks to fleas, flies, moths, yellow fever mosquitoes, and different species of worms. This book will be of interest to entomologists as well as students involved in insect physiology, behavior, and genetics.
  • Leafhopper Vectors and Plant Disease Agents

    • 1st Edition
    • Karl Maramorosch
    • English
    Leafhopper Vectors and Plant Disease Agents is the second in a multivolume series on vectors, vector-borne disease agents, and plant disease spread. This text aims to collect findings in leafhopper vector research, to suggest promising frontiers for further research, and to call attention to possible practical applications of understanding of leafhopper-pathogen-... interactions. This book is organized into five parts. Opening chapters on the taxonomy, bionomics, and worldwide importance of leafhopper and planthopper vectors are appropriately relegated to Parts I and II. Part III focuses on vector-virus interactions of leafhopper-, planthopper-, and aphid-borne viruses and virus-induced, cytopathological changes in vectors. This part also explains the interactions of mycoplasmalike organisms (MLOs) and viruses in dually infected leafhoppers, planthoppers, and plants, as well as the transitory vector-virus interactions. The artificial and aseptic rearing of vectors, microinjection technique, vector tissue culture, and spiroplasmas and its vectors are all covered in Part IV. Part V contains chapters on specific leafhopper-borne viruses and MLOs, leafhopper and planthopper vector control, leafhopper-borne pathogens of corn-stunting diseases, Western X disease, and leafhopper-borne xylem-restricted pathogens. This text will be valuable for students, teachers, and researchers of vector-pathogen-plan... relationships. Its in-depth coverage of leafhoppers and planthoppers as vectors makes this book ideally suited as a supplemental text in graduate entomology and plant pathology courses on insect transmission of plant disease agents.