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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 Structural Basis of Membrane Function

    • 1st Edition
    • Youssef Hatafi
    • English
    The Structural Basis of Membrane Function is a documentation of an international symposium of the same title. This book serves as a collection of the significant articles pertaining to the field of membrane research. It is composed of seven parts, where the first and last parts are articles contributed by scientific authorities. The book generally discusses the membrane research and this study’s relevance to the society. Then, the book specifically looks into membrane features, including its structure, processes in it, functions, and types. Some of the specific topics included in the discussion of each part are phospholipases and monolayers used in studies of membrane structure; molecular aspects of active transport; and electron-transfer in energy-transducing membranes. The book also explains the two functions in common of biological membranes; synaptic receptor proteins; and liver microsomal membranes. The scope of this book is broad and helpful to many fields of scienec. It will be of great benefit to students, teachers, scientists, and researchers in the field of biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and cellular biology among others.
  • Origins of Molecular Biology

    A Tribute to Jacques Monod
    • 1st Edition
    • Andre Lwoff
    • English
    Origins of Molecular Biology: A Tribute to Jacques Monod consists of contributions of scientists narrating their experiences with Jacques Monod. Significantly, the history of various discoveries Jacques Monod made is unfolded. This book pictures Jacques Monod through the eyes of his technician, secretary, peers, friends, and even opponents. It notes that the depiction of the same discovery may be told differently by different scientists who worked at the same time in the same laboratory. The personality of the contributor sometimes influences the narration. Through this book, one can learn how a great scientist receives, discusses, rejects, accepts, assimilates, and creates ideas; how ideas are turned into experiments; how experimental results are interpreted and how concepts are born. In a word, it tells how science is constructed.
  • Insect Pathology V1

    An Advanced Treatise
    • 1st Edition
    • Edward Steinhaus
    • English
    Insect Pathology: An Advanced Treatise, Volume 1 reviews some of the principal developments in insect pathology as well as the major research trends in the field. This book is concerned with non-infectious diseases, microbiota of healthy insects, immunity, physiopathology, predisposition to disease, virus diseases, and rickettsial diseases. Organized into 17 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the nature and scope of insect pathology as a distinct branch of entomology, as well as the challenges involved in the study of insect diseases and some of the principal applications of insect pathology in agriculture, medicine, and general biology. The next chapters introduce the reader to the physical factors that cause injury/harm to insects; the pathological changes induced in insects by chemicals used as insecticides; and insect nutrition and nutritional diseases. The book discusses other diseases in insects, including genetic diseases, tumors, granuloses, rickettsiae, and rickettsioses. This book is a valuable resource for entomologists.
  • Correlative Microscopy In Biology

    Instrumentation and Methods
    • 1st Edition
    • M.A. (Eric) Hayat
    • English
    Correlative Microscopy in Biology: Instrumentation and Methods presents the detailed methodology of biological correlative microscopy, a technology that allows the acquisition of multiple data from single tissue block, cell, or section. The chapters in the book include detailed and complete instructions on the preparatory procedures. The book has 20 chapters that deal with various forms and systems of microscopy. Some of the forms and methods used in the book include light, scanning electron, fluorescence, scanning transmission electron, and ion microscopy, as well as combined light and electron and transmission electron microscope. Other methods and their applications are all discussed in detail in the book. This book will help students apply the methods without outside help as each methodology is presented in a step-by-step approach, including applications and techniques. Aside from students, the book will also be good reference for teachers, scientists, and researchers in the fields of biology, biochemistry, and medicine.
  • Reproduction of Marine Invertebrates V4

    Molluscs: Gastropods and Cephalopods
    • 1st Edition
    • Arthur Giese
    • English
    Reproduction of Marine Invetebrates, Volume IV Molluscs: Gastropods and Cephalopods describes the wide range of structural complexity and diverse modes of reproduction of gastropods and cephalopods. Each chapter discusses the asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction capacity, and developmental stages of different group of gastropods and cephalopods, including prosobranchia, opisthobranchia, pulmonata, nautiloidea, decapoda, and octopoda. Gastropods are among the most conspicuous sea animals, and species of limpets, snails, and slugs are found in all marine habitats. Cephalopods are active and important marine predators, ranging from archaic nautiloids to more recent pelagic decapods and benthic octopods, which are often considered to be one of the apexes of invertebrate evolution. They are all gonochoric and reproduce only by sexual means. All have intricate courtship behavior and derived developmental patterns. Marine biologists and researchers, scientists, and developmental biologists will find this book invaluable.
  • Biology of the Tapeworm Hymenolepis Diminuta

    • 1st Edition
    • Hisao Arai
    • English
    Biology of the Tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta covers the physiological and biochemical aspects of the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta. This book relates past and present knowledge in the field of parasitology. This reference is organized into 12 chapters, starting with a brief discussion on life history and taxonomy of the species. This is followed by the developmental biology of the fertilized ovum to the formation of the cysticercoids in an insect host. Discussions on the embryological, biochemical, and physiological aspects of H. diminuta, the intestinal helminth infections, and procedures for in vitro cultivation of various tapeworm species are provided. Chapter 7 presents a review of molecular DNA and RNA of H. diminuta and the results of isolation and characterization of these macromolecules. This is followed by a discussion on energy metabolism of adult H. diminuta in chapter 8. The latter four chapters focus on biochemical aspects of H. diminuta, including its membrane biology, immunity, and migratory and chemotherapeutic activities. This book encourages diversity among future studies in helminth ecology, physiology, immunology, and biochemistry. It will serve its purpose and ensure that parasitology field continues.
  • Concepts of Membrane Structure

    • 1st Edition
    • Ronald Aloia
    • English
    Membrane Fluidity in Biology, Volume 1: Concepts of Membrane Structure covers membrane properties influenced by alterations in membrane lipid compositions and/or other organizational parameters that are encompassed by the term fluidity. This book is composed of eight chapters that discuss significance of fluidity changes in both normal and pathological cellular functions. This book starts by describing membrane structural organization and composition and arrangement of the molecular components of cell membranes. This is followed by discussions on structural properties of lipids and role of nonbilayer lipid structures in membrane fusion. The methodological approaches in study of cellular membrane structural diversity and fluid mosaic model for accurate representation of membrane fluidity are also discussed. This volume then describes the phenomenon of reversed or ""negative"" membrane images, as viewed with transmission electron microscope. Chapters 6 and 7 explain the interaction of cytochrome P-450 with phospholipids and proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum and steps in the derivation of membrane structure and packing principles. Finally, the concluding chapter focuses on the membrane of the human red blood cell and presents relatively simple arguments concerning its physical properties. The book will serve as a primary source for research scientists and teachers interested in cellular membrane fluidity phenomena.
  • The Geographical Distribution of Animal Viral Diseases

    • 1st Edition
    • Stewart Hal
    • English
    The Geographical Distribution of Animal Viral Diseases attempts to shed some light on the global distribution of 110 different viral diseases, mainly of livestock and companion animals. The world literature was screened for 110 different viruses, and maps were prepared. These maps delineate the global distribution of pathogenic viruses based on authenticated reports from a variety of reliable sources. Four viruses were categorized as affecting more than one species to a significant degree (astrovirus, rabies, rotaviruses, and Rift Valley fever). The largest number of maps involved viruses that affect humans. Of the 28 viruses a large number were from the California encephalitis group. Ten of the 28 viruses were reported only in the Eastern Hemisphere, 14 only in the Western Hemisphere, and four were worldwide. Birds were the next most frequently affected group with the 15 viruses, followed by pigs with 14 viruses. Overall the vector-borne viruses appear to have much sharper and clear-cut geographical boundaries than the others.
  • Fire and Ecosystems

    • 1st Edition
    • T.T. Kozlowski
    • English
    Fire and Ecosystems focuses on a number of aspects of fire ecology. This book deals separately with both harmful and beneficial effects of fire on soils, soil organisms, animals, and plants. This reference material elucidates the effects of fire on grasslands and considers the role of fire in temperate forests and related ecosystems. Four chapters are presented on a regional basis to highlight variations in responses, especially plant succession, to fire. The use of fire in land management is also explored. This book will serve as an invaluable reference material to researchers, teachers, and land managers.
  • Herbivorous Insects

    Host-seeking Behavior and mechanisms
    • 1st Edition
    • Sami Ahmad
    • English
    Herbivorous Insects: Host-Seeking Behavior and Mechanisms addresses mechanisms of searching behavior leading ultimately to host location of herbivorous insects. It is divided into four sections, wherein the first two sections deal with neurophysiology and the diversity of behavioral induction cues. The third section covers the searching mechanisms as affected by insects' breadth of diet. The last part examines the evolutionary analysis of the behavioral and physiological adaptations in insect/host plant relations. This book starts with an introduction to the chemical sensory system as it relates to host selection in general. This is followed by considerable discussions on host-seeking behavior and allied patterns in behavior. This text also includes the study of oviposition behavior in butterflies belonging to Papilionidae. The third section presents host selection and colonization by three insects within the saprophage-predator continuum, namely, Hylurgopinus rufipes, Scolytus multistriatus, and Pissodes strobi. The behaviors by which certain oligophagous insects locate and select food plants are also considered. The concluding part addresses the unifying theme and the diversity of responses of phytophagous insects to plants. The book provides direction toward developing a unifying theme and improving the ability to unravel the complexities of insect/plant interactions. Behaviorists, ecologists, entomologists, evolutionary biologists, and physiologists will find this book invaluable.