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Books in Life sciences

    • Soil and Water

      Physical Principles and Processes
      • 1st Edition
      • Daniel Hillel
      • English
      Soil and Water: Physical Principles and Processes describes the physical principles governing the soil-water system and particularly the sequence of processes constituting the cycle of water in the field. Organized into two parts, with a total of 11 chapters, this book first discusses the basic physical properties of both soil and water. Some chapters deal with the state of water in soil and flow of water in saturated and unsaturated soil. The second part focuses on the aspects of field water cycle, starting from the entry of water into soil to the redistribution of soil moisture. It also describes the groundwater drainage, evaporation from bare-surface soils, uptake of soil water by plants, and the water and energy balance in the field. This work is meant for students and professional workers in soil physics and other related disciplines who need or might be interested in a fundamental and up-to-date exposition of soil physics.
    • Cell Shape

      Determinants, Regulation, And Regulatory Role
      • 1st Edition
      • Felix Bronner
      • English
      Cell Shape: Determinants, Regulation, and Regulatory Role is written to help readers understand cell shape and its regulation. It provides insight into how the shape of a cell is determined at a molecular level. It also discusses how the shape of the cell, as a signal, controls gene expression and modulates intercellular interaction. Divided into four parts encompassing 13 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the mechanism of shape determination. It then explores how the cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix, and biochemical force transduction may affect or respond to cell shape control. Other chapters focus on the mechanical modeling of cell shape and the biochemical reactions underlying cell motility. The text also describes the results of the molecular studies that have provided important information on the composition of the cytoskeleton. The final chapter reviews the shape changes that happen during embryogenesis. It also considers how the polarity of the embryo is determined. This book is a valuable resource for biologists, embryologists, and cell biologists.
    • 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.
    • Internal Anatomy and Physiological Regulation

      • 1st Edition
      • Linda Mantel
      • English
      The Biology of Crustacea, Volume 5: Internal Anatomy and Physiological Regulation is an eight-chapter book that begins with a discussion on the internal anatomy of Crustacea with emphasis on its major organ systems. This volume provides information on the regulation of the composition of hemolymph and provision of energy to tissues. Some chapters deal with the exchange and transport of gases, particularly, on ventilation, perfusion, and oxygen transport. Because this book contains vast background information and perspective on the subject matter, it will be a valuable source for zoologists, paleontologists, ecologists, physiologists, endocrinologists, morphologists, pathologists, and marine biologists. It will be an essential reference work for institutional libraries as well.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Biology of Conidial Fungi

      • 1st Edition
      • Garry T. Cole
      • English
      Biology of Conidial Fungi, Volume 2 presents detailed considerations of many facets of conidial fungi. Organized into four parts, this volume begins with the discussion on the four categories of clinical infections of man caused by this organism. It then describes the ultrastructure, development, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of conidial fungi. It also explains the techniques for investigation of conidial fungi, including isolation, cultivation, and maintenance. Techniques for examining developmental and ultrastructural aspects of conidial fungi are shown as well. This volume will fill some gaps in the knowledge of anamorphs and serve as a useful reference to advanced students who probably encounter such type of fungi.
    • Social Behavior of Female Vertebrates

      • 1st Edition
      • Samuel Wasser
      • English
      Social Behavior of Female Vertebrates focuses on the evolution of reproductive behavior in female vertebrates ranging from fish to birds and humans, including issues of mate choice and other factors underlying female attitudes toward males. It also looks at the evolution of mating systems; the co-evolution of the sexes; sex-role reversal; reproductive competition between females; maternal behavior; and how females enhance the investment received by their offspring from others. It also considers other social behaviors that influence the nature of affiliative associations between females. Organized into three parts encompassing 13 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of behavioral biology and sources of variation in female reproductive success. It then discusses the establishment and maintenance of sex biases, sex differences mediated by sexual selection, constraints on female choice in the mottled sculpin, mate choice by females in sexual selection of bird song, and female manipulation of male avoidance of cuckoldry behavior in the ring dove. The reader is also introduced to the evolution of polyandry in shorebirds; reproductive strategies in human females; social and health-seeking behaviors of Taiwanese women; female roles in cooperatively breeding acorn woodpeckers; altruism in coati bands; cooperation and reproductive competition among female African elephants; mate choice in matrilineal macaque groups; and reproductive competition and cooperation among female yellow baboons. This book is a valuable resource for scientists and behavioral biologists, as well as lay people whose interests span a variety of fields.
    • Soybean Physiology, Agronomy, and Utilization

      • 1st Edition
      • A.G. Norman
      • English
      Soybean Physiology, Agronomy, and Utilization attempts to cover and treat in logical sequence the factors that contribute to the potential and versatility of soybeans. The soybean is a major crop plant in the United States. Based on the utilization of the bean, or products therefrom, a substantial soybean industry has also developed. Its uses, agricultural and industrial, primarily depend on the high content of both protein (ca. 40%) and oil (ca. 20%) in the bean. The book begins by discussing soybean production in the United States and worldwide; the uses and economics of soybean products; and the soybean in physiological research. It explains the growth and development of soybeans. It discusses the physiological processes responsible for assimilating the plant body from the environment, namely photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and nitrate reduction. Subsequent chapters examine the impact of environmental variables—such as light, temperature, water, wind, and pests—on soybean plant characteristics as well as soybean breeding, production, processing, and utilization.
    • 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.