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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.

  • Isozymes V2

    Physiological Function
    • 1st Edition
    • Clement Markert
    • English
    Isozymes, II: Physiological Function contains manuscripts presented at the Third International Conference on isozymes convened in April 1974 at Yale University. Separating 53 manuscripts into chapters, this book first discusses the medical uses of isozymes. It then describes the various dehydrogenase isozymes mechanisms of action and biological functions. Other general topics explored are the roles of isozymes in adaptation to varying temperatures and their use in the study of mitochondria. Significant topics on specific isozymes are given separately in other chapters.
  • Introduction to Food Engineering

    • 1st Edition
    • Paul Singh
    • English
    Introduction to Food Engineering deals with the engineering concepts in food processing employing a unit operations approach. The book focuses on mass and energy balances, fluid flow, energy utilization, refrigeration, heat transfer, food freezing, evaporation, dehydration, and psychometrics. It is in line with primary topics recommended by the Institute of Food Technologists of the U.S.A. The text reviews some concepts related to food science such as the equation of state and perfect gas law, laws of thermodynamics, and conservation of mass. The book also discusses the transport of liquid foods and the three types of utilities used in food processing: 1) steam generation and utilization; 2) natural gas utilization; and 3) electric power utilization. The text explains how to determine the properties of food and the different approaches that can be used to obtain the food's thermal properties prior to using the proper heat-exchange equipment. Food preservation also involves freezing (direct or indirect contact systems), evaporation, dehydration, and psychometrics (involving thermodynamic properties of gas-vapor mixtures). The book is suitable for nutritionists, food technologists, advanced under-graduate and beginning graduate students in food science and technology, and professionals whose works are in the food processing, research, and preservation industry.
  • Ecology of Halophytes

    • 1st Edition
    • Robert J. Mold
    • English
    Ecology of Halophytes documents the proceedings of a symposium on the ecology of halophytes sponsored by the Physiological Ecology section of the Ecological Society of America, and held as a portion of the American Institute of Biological Sciences meetings in August 1972. The book considers the fundamentals of distribution, anatomy, and physiology of halophytes. It provides an overview of the role of the halophyte in ecosystems in various parts of the world. A section on habitat associations of halophytes considers the relation of the plants to other fauna and flora in natural systems. A final section deals with recent applied research related to halophytes and quantification of the impact of man on the ecology of halophytes. This text will be useful for various disciplines working in saline wetlands ecosystems. It is intended to serve land use planners, federal and state natural resources and transportation interests, and real estate developers in providing a comprehensive summary of the ""state of the art"" in understanding halophytic ecosystems. With a better fundamental knowledge of the system, the above mentioned professionals should be better able to plan activities and uses compatible with the natural halophytic ecosystem and avoid some of the past errors man has made.
  • The Cell Nucleus V3

    • 1st Edition
    • Harris Busch
    • English
    The Cell Nucleus, Volume III focuses mainly on nucleic acids, nuclear proteins, and special aspects of nuclear functions. This volume particularly discusses the organization of bacterial and viral DNA, as well as the nuclear DNA of eukaryotic organisms. It also describes nuclear DNA polymerases, precursors of messenger RNA, ribonucleoproteins, and nuclear high- and low-molecular-weight RNAs. Furthermore, this volume looks into the two broad classes of nuclear proteins: histones and nonhistone proteins. It also presents advances made in the knowledge of mammalian DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, cytochemical detection of nuclear enzymes, and nuclear protein synthesis. Moreover, it elucidates the effects of female steroid hormones on target cell nuclei, describes the nucleus during avian erythropoiesis, and reports the general properties of intranuclear viruses.
  • Archabacteria

    • 1st Edition
    • Carl R. Woese
    • English
    The Bacteria, A Treatise on Structure and Function, Volume VIII: Archaebacteria is divided into three major parts and is further subdivided into several chapters. Each part deals with a specific area of study regarding archaebacteria. Part I tackles the biochemical diversity and ecology of archaebacteria, while Part II discusses translation apparatus of these organisms. The last part focuses on archaebacteria’s general molecular characteristics. Generally, the physiological, morphological, ecological, and molecular aspects of the archaebacteria are discussed in this volume. This book also covers a historical distinction between prokaryote-eukaryote and the simultaneous development of archaebacteria. This book is a recommended reference for biologists and scientists who are interested in the unique characteristics of archaebacteria as a very special type of bacteria. These organisms provide a “new world” for thermophilic organisms and at the same time make experts reexamine their idea of prokaryotes. Their relationship to eukaryotes leads people to believe that archaebacteria are truly a “new kingdom of organisms”.
  • The Mycetozoans

    • 1st Edition
    • Lindsay Olive
    • English
    The Mycetozoans brings together, for the first time in a single volume, comprehensive information on the biology and classification of the mycetozoans and associated groups. The mycetozoans and their associates remain of prime interest to taxonomists and phylogenists because major new taxa continue to be discovered among them. This book informs the reader where to find mycetozoans, how to isolate and culture them, their life cycles and ultrastructure, and some of the experiments that may be performed with them. It presents studies on Protostelia (protostelids); Dictyostelia (dictyostelid cellular slime molds); Myxogastria (myxomycetes); Acrasea (acrasid cellular slime molds); Plasmodiophorina (plasmodiophorids); and Labyrinthulas (labyrinthulina and thraustochytrids). This text can serve as a reference tool in courses on mycetozoans, protozoology, mycology, and developmental biology of lower organisms, and as a concentrated source of information for research workers in all aspects of the biology and taxonomy of these organisms.
  • Autoradiography for Biologists

    • 1st Edition
    • P Gahan
    • English
    Autoradiography for Biologists discusses the basic and practical aspects of various autoradiography techniques. It is composed of six chapters; each chapter covers a specific form of autoradiography technique. Chapter 1 discusses various theoretical aspects of autoradiography, such as radioactive decay, beta-particle absorption, photographic process, sensitivity, and resolving power. Chapters 2 to 6 discuss basic aspects of several forms of autoradiography, including macro-, stripping film, diffusible substances, liquid emulsion, and high resolution autoradiography. Practical and theoretical details of the technique, together with modifications made, are covered in each chapter. This book will be both an encouragement and a help to people wanting to apply autoradiography to the solution of biological problems.
  • Advances in Aquatic Microbiology

    • 1st Edition
    • M.R. Droop
    • English
    Advances in Aquatic Microbiology Volume 1 describes the characteristics of ecological niches for individual microorganisms and the intensities of individual microbiological processes in the course of turnover of various substances in reservoirs. This volume follows Volume 1 of Advances in Microbiology of the Sea book. The opening chapter presents insight to the tradition of Russian limnological microbiology followed by a discussion on conversion of inorganic nitrogen to organic nitrogen, and the microorganisms responsible for assimilatory reactions. The book considers aspects of the reduction of atmospheric dinitrogen and nitrate to ammonia and the incorporation of ammonia into organic compounds. Such considerations will relate particularly to those organisms of significance in aquatic environments. The relations between prey and predator and their significance in the investigation both the behavior of the microorganisms themselves and the prey-predator situation in general are also discussed. Chapter 4 examines how viruses, bacteria, and fungi affect the blue-green algae and the development and regulation of algal blooms. The final two chapters summarize studies in freshwater sediment microbiology and the role of bacteria in water pollution monitoring. This book caters primarily to aquatic microbiologists, but limnological microbiologists, aquatic researchers, scientists, teachers, and students with courses in aquatic microbiology will find this book invaluable.
  • Plant Cold Hardiness and Freezing Stress

    Mechanisms and Crop Implications
    • 1st Edition
    • P.H. Li
    • English
    Plant Cold Hardiness and Freezing Stress: Mechanisms and Crop Implications, Volume 2 contains the proceedings of an International Seminar on Plant Cold Hardiness, held at the Sapporo Educational and Cultural Hall, Sapporo, Japan on August 11-14, 1981. Organized into five parts, this book aims to update the fundamental phenomena of plant cold acclimation and freezing behavior, to examine the hypotheses and ideas important to plant cold hardiness research, and to review the application of research findings for improving the quality of life. This volume particularly addresses the cold acclimation, freezing, and other temperature-related stresses in plants. Strategies for improving freezing survival are also presented. This volume will make an additional, significant contribution to researchers involved in understanding and planning research strategies for plant cold hardiness and for attenuating crop losses by frosts and severe winters.
  • Invertebrate Immunity

    • 1st Edition
    • Karl Maramorosch
    • English
    Invertebrate Immunity: Mechanisms of Invertebrate Vector-Parasite Relations consists of chapters presented at a workshop on invertebrate defense mechanisms, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and held in Bethesda, Maryland, on April 17 and 18, 1974. Organized into four parts, having a total of 24 chapters, this book first discusses the barrier imposed by the gut of invertebrates to invading parasites. It then centers on the role of invertebrate hemocytes and other phagocytic cells in immunity, as well as the humoral defense mechanisms of these organisms. Other topics discussed include parasite encapsulation in insects, role of melanin in host-parasite interaction, and use of host hormones by insect parasites to make the host environment favorable for their growth and development. This book will be essential for those interested in comparative immunology and in invertebrate immune responses. It will be of special interest to entomologists, protozoologists, physicians, veterinarians, ecologists, pathologists, research workers, science teachers, and graduate students.