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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.

  • Stress Responses of Photosynthetic Organisms

    Molecular Mechanisms and Molecular Regulations
    • 1st Edition
    • Kimiyuki Satoh + 1 more
    • English
    Sixteen topics from the results of the research project "Molecular Mechanisms for Responses of the Photosynthetic Apparatus to the Environment," are documented in this excellent and timely work.Photosynthesis research has a long history in Japan, and many Japanese laboratories working in this field have been very active and productive. Based on the foundation established by these laboratories, the research reflected in this book focuses on elucidating the interactions between photosynthesis and the environment, with special emphasis on the molecular aspects of these interactions. The major purpose of the research was to identify specific genes required for (a) repair of the organisms from stress-induced damage to the photosynthetic machinery and (b) acclimation of photosynthetic processes to specific changes in environmental conditions. Once specific genes were identified, the effects of expression (and overexpression) of these genes in transgenic plants on acclimation processes were analyzed.Through the analysis of transgenic plants and cyanobacteria, the volume clarifies a number of molecular mechanisms by which plants acclimate to environmental variations, and the factors that govern recovery from stress-induced damage, especially with respect to the photosynthetic apparatus.A treatize on stress physiology and photosynthesis, the book also indicates the agricultural usefulness of transgenic plants and microalgae which are produced to study the molecular mechanisms of the tolerance of plants to changes in their environment.

  • Insecticide Mode of Action

    • 1st Edition
    • Joel R. Coats
    • English
    Insecticide Mode of Action presents significant research on the biological activity of insecticides. The book is organized into three sections encompassing 13 chapters that summarize three major groups of insecticides, including neurotoxic, formamidine, and developmental insecticides. The first section of the book presents studies on groups of conventional neurotoxic insecticides: chlorinated hydrocarbons, pyrethroids, carbamates, and organophosphorus chemicals. This text discusses their structure, poisoning property, structure-activity relationships, and stereoselectivity. The subsequent section discusses the biochemical, biological, and neurotoxic actions of formamidines, a group of pesticides that exhibit an unusual spectrum of activity. Several modes of action of pharmacological significance as well as some important behavioral effects are included in this section. The third section addresses groups of insecticides that affect insect growth and development. Such chemicals typically demonstrate marked selectivity and represent more sophisticated strategies in the chemical control of insect pests. This book is of value to researchers, teachers, and regulatory personnel concerned with the biological activity of insecticides.

  • Cell Physiology

    Molecular Dynamics
    • 1st Edition
    • Henry Tedeschi
    • English
    Cell Physiology: Molecular Dynamics focuses on the molecular aspects of cell physiology. It analyzes the functional and structural organization of the cell as a unit of inheritance and a biochemical transducer; the mechanisms of genetic transmission; the transcription and translation of the genetic message; the capture of energy in oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis; and the principle of semi-conservation in DNA duplication. Experiments illustrate the basic principles described in this book. Organized into three sections encompassing 19 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the cell as a system of compartments, and the possible functional significance of compartmentation. It then turns to a discussion of some of the processes involved in the functioning of the cell, the genetic control of cell function, the replication of DNA, and extrachromosomal inheritance. The reader is also introduced to interactions between organelles and the nucleus; differentiation and control of protein synthesis; the role of enzymes in the regulation of metabolism; and control of macromolecules in bacteria and in some mammalian tissues. The books also covers oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial organization; transport and permeability of the cell membrane; the role of specialized cells in the excitation and conduction of signals; and the molecular basis of mechanochemical coupling. This book is a valuable resource for undergraduate students with a basic knowledge of the biochemical and genetic approaches to biology.

  • Plant Pathology

    • 3rd Edition
    • George N. Agrios
    • English
    Plant Pathology, Third Edition, provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of plant pathology, incorporating important new developments in the field. The present volume also follows closely the organization and format of the Second Edition. It includes two new chapters, ""Plant Disease Epidemiology"" and ""Applications of Biotechnology in Plant Pathology."" Extensively updated new information has been added about the history of plant pathology, the stages in the development of disease, the chemical weapons of attack by pathogens, and the genetics of plant disease. The book is organized into three parts. Part I discusses basic concepts such as classification of plant diseases; parasitism and disease development; how pathogens attack plants; effects of pathogens on plant physiology; plant defenses against pathogens; and genetics, epidemiology, and control of plant diseases. Part II on specific plant diseases covers diseases caused by fungi, prokaryotes, parasitic higher plants, viruses, nematodes, and flagellate protozoa. Part III deals with applications of biotechnology in plant pathology.

  • Physiological Mammalogy V2

    • 1st Edition
    • William Mayer
    • English
    Physiological Mammalogy, Volume II: Mammalian Reactions to Stressful Environments deals with natural mammalian populations and their adaptations to stressful environments. The book explores the physiology and morphology of reproduction and development; water metabolism; and hibernation. This volume is organized into three chapters and begins with a discussion of aspects of reproduction and embryology that are purely mammalian, emphasizing the mammalian reproductive organs and the evolutionary trends in such organs. The next chapter focuses on water balance in desert rodents. Inasmuch as reproduction is considerably affected by the environment, it also can be considered a process modified by environmental stresses. The final chapter examines hibernation as a mechanism for mammals to avoid periods of unfavorable environment. This chapter also describes the poikilothermic state of mammalian populations during hibernation, along with the consequences of reduced metabolic rate during hibernation. Experimental animal biologists and those who work with mammals will find this book invaluable.

  • Cation Flux Across Biomembranes

    • 1st Edition
    • Yasuo Mukohata
    • English
    Cation Flux Across Biomembranes documents the proceedings of a symposium on ""Cation Flux across Biomembranes"" sponsored by the Japan Bioenergetics Group, held September 10-13, 1978 at the Inter-University Seminar House of Kansai in Kobe, Japan. The symposium brought together 80 of the leading investigators concerned with ATP-utilizing and ATP-generating systems associated with cation fluxes across membranes to discuss biochemical mechanisms in depth and their relation to cation transport functions. The papers presented focused on three types of membrane systems. The first two membrane systems are classified as ATP-utilizing systems. These include the plasma membrane, associated with the ATP dependent Na+-K+ transport system, which draws upon most of the cell's energy for cation fluxes; and the sarcoplasmic recticulum membrane associated with Ca++ transport, which plays a key role in excitation-contracti... coupling in muscle. The third type of membrane system falls under ATP-generating systems. These include the inner membranes of mitochondria, chloroplasts, and bacteria associated with H+ fluxes generated by oxidation-reduction reactions, and their coupling to secondary ion flows and oxidative and photosynthetic phosphorylation. H+ transport associated with the photoreaction cycle of bacteriorhodopsin, the light energy converted in halobacteria was also considered.

  • Genetic Improvement of Vegetable Crops

    • 1st Edition
    • G. Kalloo + 1 more
    • English
    Genetic improvement has played a vital role in enhancing the yield potential of vegetable crops. There are numerous vegetable crops grown worldwide and variable degrees of research on genetics, breeding and biotechnology have been conducted on these crops. This book brings together the results of such research on crops grouped as alliums, crucifers, cucurbits, leaf crops, tropical underground and miscellaneous. Written by eminent specialists, each chapter concentrates on one crop and covers cytology, genetics, breeding objectives, germplasm resources, reproductive biology, selection breeding methods, heterosis and hybrid seed production, quality and processing attributes and technology. This unique collection will be of great value to students, scientists and vegetable breeders as it provides a reference guide on genetics, breeding and biotechnology of a wide range of vegetable crops.

  • Application of Mutation Breeding Methods in the Improvement of vegetatively propagated crops V2

    • 1st Edition
    • C. Broertjes
    • English
    Application of Mutation Breeding Methods in the Improvement of Vegetatively Propagated Crops: An Interpretive Literature Review summarizes advances in the use of artificially induced mutations to improve cultivated plants, particularly those that are vegetatively propagated. It brings together all available and accessible references that examine the advantages, drawbacks, and possibilities of the mutation breeding method, as well as the challenges that prevent it from being applied to various crops. Comprised of eight chapters, this volume begins with an overview of various aspects of mutagenic treatment using chemical and physical mutagens. It then discusses the structure and functioning of shoot apices and their behavior after irradiation; adventitious bud techniques and other in vivo or in vitro methods of asexual propagation; and breeding of root and tuber crops, such as cassava and potato, ornamental crops such as foliage plants and cut flowers, fruit crops, and other crops. Plant breeders who want to better understand how to apply mutation breeding to their crops will find this book extremely helpful.

  • Environment and the Experimental Control of Plant Growth

    • 1st Edition
    • R.J. Downs
    • English
    Environment and the Experimental Control of Plant Growth centers on the general role of environmental factors in plant growth and methods of providing the desired levels and limit of control. The book is organized into seven chapters focusing on the various factors in the environment, such as temperature, light, carbon dioxide, and water. It also describes the controlled environments for plant research. This book will help biologists understand what he is buying or constructing in terms of environment variability in plant growth facilities. It will also provide some help and guidance to those who have encountered the problem of not obtaining the degree of control they have expected in the units they have in hand.

  • Dinoflagellates

    • 1st Edition
    • David L. Spector
    • English
    The book begins with a general introduction and a taxonomic description of the dinoflagellates both to acquaint those unfamiliar with this group of organisms and to set the tone for the rest of the volume. It then addresses the following topics: cell biology (cell cortex, nuclear structure, cell cycle and mitosis, sexual reproduction, cysts and unusual inclusions); biochemistry (physiology and biochemistry, blooms and toxins, and biorhythms); and genetics. In addition, a comprehensive chapter on cell culturing provides the reader with an understanding of the growth conditions and requirements of various dinoflagellates and a simple to follow listing of culture media, all expressed in similar units for ease of comparison. The volume closes with a chapter on evolution which evaluates many of the features of dinoflagellates discussed in the text in terms of evolutionary significance.We hope that this treatise will be of use to research workers and students in the area of dinoflagellate biology and in other areas of biology in which dinoflagellates may be used as a model system for studying various biological problems.

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