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Elsevier

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.

  • Energetics of Photosynthesis

    • 1st Edition
    • Govindjee
    • English
    Bioenergetics of Photosynthesis covers the transformation of energy in biological systems, with an emphasis on photosynthesis. The biochemical and biophysical aspects are given much focus in this book. The historical development of the concepts used in this book is reviewed. This reference also analyzes experimental data and their results. This publication contains 12 chapters. The first chapter introduces the concept of photosynthesis. Then, the next chapter explores the relationship between chloroplast structure and function . Other concepts covered in this book include the primary events (energy transfer and light absorption), delayed light emission, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The mechanism of excitation energy, oxygen evolution, and chlorophyll fluorescence are also explained. Furthermore, this book discusses the electron transport pathway, primary acts of energy conservation in chloroplast membranes, and molecular organization of chlorophyll. Finally, it describes the relationship of the structure of chloroplast membrane to energy coupling and ion transport. This book will be a good resource for students and researchers alike, especially in the fields of cell biology, plant physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics.

  • 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.

  • Natural Resistance Systems Against Foreign Cells, Tumors, and Microbes

    • 1st Edition
    • Gustavo Cudkowicz
    • English
    Natural Resistance Systems Against Foreign Cells, Tumors, and Microbes presents the proceedings of an international conference held at Timber Cove Inn Jenner, California on October 18-22, 1976. It deals with the resistance to microorganisms and tumors, the dual problems of basic immunology, and the clinical aspects of immune reconstitution. It focuses on the identification and characterization of host defense systems, endowed with specificity, yet non-induced, non-adaptive, and non-thymus dependent. Divided into 12 chapters, the book initially discusses natural resistance to foreign hematopoietic and leukemic grafts. It goes on, examining the critical issues in clinical bone marrow transplantation and graft-versus-host (GVH) disease as a consequence of bone marrow grafting. Chapters 5 to 8 discuss the role of macrophage, Hh genes, major histocompatibility complex, and natural killer cell systems in natural resistance to normal and malignant cells. The final chapters cover the mechanism of cell’s natural resistance to intracellular bacteria, genetic resistance to leukomogenesis, and manipulations to control the allograft response and GVH disease. This book is an invaluable resource for those interested in basic immunology, immune reconstitution, natural resistance phenomena, and GHV disease.

  • Tree Ecology and Preservation

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 2
    • A. Bernatzky
    • English
    Containing more than 225 illustrations, this is probably the first book to cover both scientific research on trees and tree surgery. It is an authoritative work, written by a man who has had a lifetime's experience of working with trees, and as such, the book will undoubtedly appeal to a wide-ranging readership.

  • Molecular Genetics Pt 3

    • 1st Edition
    • Herbert Taylor
    • English
    Molecular Genetics, Part III: Chromosome Structure explores the structure and modification of DNA, chromatin, and higher order organization and possible subunits of chromosomes at the molecular level. It describes major changes in concepts of chromatin structure and packaging of DNA based on studies of nuclease digests and electron micrographs; the role of restriction endonucleases in molecular genetics; the involvement of DNA topoisomerases in concerted breaking and rejoining of DNA backbone bonds; enzymatic methylation of DNA; and transcriptional units in eukaryotic chromosomes. Organized into seven chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the general properties of type I and type II restriction enzymes, basic aspects of restriction enzyme technology, and applications of restriction enzyme technology to the study of chromosome structure and function. It then discusses recombinant DNA technology; possible biological roles of DNA topoisomerases; recognition and control sequences in nucleic acids; composition and substructure of nucleosomes; analysis of chromosome fibers by electron microscopy; organization of fibers into chromosomes; and functional aspects of organization of chromosome fibers. Molecular biologists, geneticists, scientists, and electron microscopists will find this book extremely helpful.

  • Experimental Morphogenesis and Integration of Plants

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 18
    • J. Sebanek + 5 more
    • English
    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.

  • Major Problems in Developmental Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • Michael Locke
    • English
    Major Problems in Developmental Biology contains the proceedings of the 25th Symposium of the Society for Developmental Biology, held in Haverford, Pennsylvania, in June 1966. The papers explore some of the major problems in developmental biology, particularly those relating to cell differentiation, movements, and death; patterning; and intercellular regulation in plants. Organized into 11 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the growth and development of developmental biology as a scientific discipline, with emphasis on the role of the Society for Developmental Biology, and in particular its symposia, in the emergence of the field. The book then discusses the intra- and extracellular factors impinging upon the nucleus and regulating cell differentiation. Some chapters focus on the dynamics of determination in cell systems of insects, morphogenetic movements of animal cells, and patterns at the cell and tissue levels. The reader is also introduced to the correlations between protein structure and function in relation to cell dynamics and differentiation, along with the physiological, biochemical, and molecular biological aspects of intercellular regulation in plants and the role of cell surface in carcinogenesis. The book concludes by suggesting directions for research into the ontogeny of behavior. This book is a valuable source of information for developmental biologists.

  • Dolichopodidae-Platypezidae

    • 1st Edition
    • Bozzano G Luisa
    • English
    Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, Volume 7: Dolichopodidae-Platy... offers information on family Dolichopodidae and family Platypezidae, including type-species designation, authors, and proposed names. The catalogue first elaborates on family Dolichopodidae, including subfamily Sciapodinae, Rhaphiinae, Peloropeodinae, Diaphorinae, Hydrophorinae, and Peloropeodinae. The book then examines family Lonchopteridae and family Phoridae. Topics include Dohrniphora, Megaselia, Chaetopleurophora, Gymnophora, Beckerina, and Aenigmatias. The book takes a look at family Opetiidae and family Platypezidae, as well as subfamily Microsaniinae, subfamily Callomyiinae, and subfamily Platypezinae. The catalogue is a valuable source of information for researchers interested in family Dolichopodidae and family Platypezidae.

  • Plant Roots and Their Environment

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 24
    • B.L. McMichael + 1 more
    • English
    Scientists, within a wide field, ranging from applied forestry and agriculture to physiology, ecology and the environmental sciences, are today more than ever involved in root and mycorrhizal research. New problem-oriented research fields have arisen such as the effects of fertilizers and pesticides, forest management and regeneration etc. At a time when root research is expanding into different areas, it is much more difficult for the root scientist to penetrate all the new information appearing in literature.The contributors of this volume are leading scientists from different fields of root research. The ISRR-symposium in Uppsala clearly demonstrated that there are new techniques in progress, in particular with regards to video recording of plant root systems and digital image processing. The main objectives of the symposium were (i) to provide a forum for communication between scientists from different disciplines working with root research problems, (ii) to contribute to an expansion of root studies into new areas, (iii) to use current estimates of root turnover for charting the upper and lower limit of below-ground production, and (iv) to spread knowledge of new findings and techniques of the importance of root research.This book is aimed at serving as a vehicle for improving the coherence of root research, for harmonizing methods and establishing overall objectives and gaps in the knowledge of rhizosphere dynamics.

  • Biology of Fertilization V2

    Biology of The Sperm
    • 1st Edition
    • Charles Metz
    • English
    Biology of Fertilization, Volume 2: Biology of the Sperm is the second in a three-volume series that brings together various lines of research about reproduction in general and fertilization in particular. It is devoted to spermatogenesis, sperm physiology, and the initial interactions of sperm with egg components. The book is organized into three parts. Part I on spermatogenesis and sperm physiology includes studies on the evolution of the sperm cell; regulatory mechanisms, sperm antigen differentiation, and maturation of sperm in the reproductive tracts in mammals; physicochemical mechanisms of the acrosome filament extrusion process; and enzymes associated with sperm cell function. Part II deals with chemotaxis in microorganisms: bacteria and slime molds. Part III on gamete recognition and binding includes studies on identifying, isolating, and characterizing specific sperm and egg surface components involved in sperm-egg interaction; fertilization in the alga Fucus; fertilization in insects; and the role of lysins in fertilization.

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