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Books in Life sciences

Reproductive Biology and Taxonomy of Vascular Plants
The Report of the Conference Held by the Botanical Society of the British Isles at Birmingham University in 1965
1st Edition
J. G. Hawkes
English
Reproductive Biology and Taxonomy of Vascular Plants is a collection of papers presented at the Conference on Reproductive Biology and Taxonomy of Vascular Plants, held at the Department of Botany, University of Birmingham on April 23-25, 1965. The conference primarily explores the reproductive biology of flowering plants and ferns to arrive at a better understanding of variation patterns and modes of evolution. This book is divided into six chapters and begins with a discussion on the breeding systems, variation and adaptation. The next chapters survey the practical implications of knowledge of breeding systems and other aspects of the reproductive biology of flowering plants, as well as the pollination mechanisms in orchids and the evolution of this family in relation to insect evolution. These chapters include an account of the foraging behavior of honey bees and its importance to the botanist in delineating the behavior of the insects that pollinate the plants. Other chapters deal with the mechanisms of plant dispersal and establishment, the aspects of seed dormancy, and germination and reproductive capacity related to evolutionary processes. The concluding chapters explore the many aspects of apomixis in its wider sense and survey how the variation patterns of apomicts were due to this special mode of reproduction. This book is directed primarily to botanists.
Calcium and Cell Function
1st Edition
Wai Yiu Cheung
English
Molecular Biology: Calcium and Cell Function, Volume VI deals with several topics relating to calcium and cell function. This book consists of nine chapters. Chapter 1 describes the various peptides that recognize calmodulin in a calcium-dependent fashion. Chapter 2 updates the molecular and regulatory properties of calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase, while Chapter 3 reviews a calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase. The studies on the biophysical characterization of calmodulin are summarized in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5, the studies on a calcium-dependent protease from human erythrocytes are presented. The problem of an uncontrolled level of calcium that often precipitates toxic consequences is considered in Chapter 6. The role of calcium in meiosis is elaborated in Chapter 7, followed by a discussion on calcium ion involved with the secretory process, emphasizing the secretion of insulin in Chapter 8. The last chapter deliberates the role of photosynthesis, a process that captures the solar energy and sustains all living systems. This publication is a good reference for biologists, medical practitioners, and students researching on the relation of calcium to the physiology and biochemistry of organisms and cells.
Genetic Mechanisms of Development
1st Edition
Frank H. Ruddle
English
Genetic Mechanisms of Development is a compilation of articles that surveys the application of genetic systems of analysis to the resolution of fundamental problems in developmental biology. The book is composed of sections that deal with various aspects of genetic mechanisms. The first section tackles the genetic analysis of gene regulation in microorganisms. The second section discusses the application of Mendelian genetics to the study of the development of Drosophila, amphibians, and the laboratory mouse. The last section introduces somatic cell genetics, a tool for developmental biologists. Biologists, geneticists, zoologists, and researchers will find the book a good source of information.
Biological Activities of Steroids in Relation to Cancer
Proceedings of a Conference Sponsored by the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare
1st Edition
Gregory Pincus + 1 more
English
Biological Activities of Steroids in Relation to Cancer covers the proceedings of the conference sponsored by the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, and the U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The text focuses on the influence of steroids on medical approaches to the cure of cancer, including steroid chemistry, estrogen metabolism, and mammary cancer. The selection first offers information on steroids growth and cancer, advances in steroid chemistry, and the physiology and pharmacology of steroids affecting tumor growth. Discussions focus on rapid development of mammary cancer, pituitary functions, androgens, estrogens, and progestins. The book also ponders on the binding of steroid hormones by plasma proteins; the effects of steroids on the levels of the plasma 17-hydroxycorticoste... and the serum protein-bound iodine; and the metabolism of dehydroisoandrostero... The text evaluates studies on estrogen metabolism, biochemical parameters of estrogen action, and enzymatic transport of hydrogen by estrogenic hormones. The manuscript also elaborates on the fate of steroid estrogens in target tissues, effect of steroids on calcium dynamics, and steroids and experimental mammary cancer. The selection is a valuable source of information for readers interested in the use of steroids in treating cancer.
Venomous Animals and Their Venoms
Venomous Vertebrates
1st Edition
Wolfgang Bücherl + 2 more
English
Venomous Animals and their Venoms focuses on the comprehensive presentation of the entire field of the venomous members of the animal kingdom, chemistry and biochemistry of venoms, and pharmacological actions and their antigenic properties. The selection first offers information on the development of knowledge about venoms and the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and its venomous characteristics, including biology, venom apparatus, properties of venom, and significance of venom apparatus in Ornithorhynchus. The text then elaborates on the classification, biology, and description of the venom apparatus of insectivores of the genera Solenodon, Neomys, and Blarina and the chemistry and pharmacology of insectivore venoms. The publication takes a look at karyotypes, sex chromosomes, and chromosomal evolution in snakes and coagulant, proteolytic, and hemolytic properties of some snake venoms. Topics include hemolytic property, karyotypes of South American snakes, sex chromosomes, methods for the study of chromosomes of reptiles, and chromosomal evolution. The selection is a vital source of data for readers interested in venomous animals and their venoms.
A Synopsis of Biology
2nd Edition
W. B. Crow
English
A Synopsis of Biology, Second Edition presents a critical review of general topics in the field of biology. This book is organized into eight sections encompassing 164 chapters that discuss the form and structure of living and non-living, as well as the physiology of organism and the environment. Considerable sections are devoted to the anatomy and physiology of the reptile, bird, mammal, and humans; study of the inorganic environment; evolution and heredity of the species; systematic classification of plants; production and cultivation of plant products; preservation, breeding, and cultures of organisms; and definition of epiphytes and climbers. Other sections deal with the dynamics and structure of inorganic compounds and the molecular structure and mode of action of drugs. The analysis of the natural system and the theory of evolution are presented. The remaining sections discuss the distribution of floras and faunas in space. These chapters also focus on the dermal excretion and thermo-regulation. The book can provide useful information to biologists, students, and researchers.
Perspectives in Urban Entomology
1st Edition
G. W. Frankie + 1 more
English
Perspectives in Urban Entomology is a collection of papers presented at the "Ecology and Management of Insect Populations in Urban Environments" held in Washington, D.C. in 1976. This collection deals with urban entomology with emphasis on insects, insect-plant relationships, and arthropods in the urban environments. One paper examines the causes why certain species manage to survive in an urban environment while others do not. The book cites one example—the Rothamsted insect survey—and analyzes the pressures of development in the surrounding land area. One paper addresses the educational and esthetic value of an insect-plant relationship in an ever expanding development of urban spaces. Another paper shows the value and benefit of a scientific investment in urban agriculture—defined as small-scale agriculture in urban areas—as contributing to food crops. Some papers also examine the use of insecticides and technology transfer in the management of urban pest control. This book will be valuable for entomologists, urban planners and developers, environmentalists, and for general readers residing in metropolitan areas.
Excitable Cells
Monographs in Modern Biology for Upper School and University Courses
1st Edition
F. A. Miles
English
Monographs in Modern Biology for Upper School and University Courses: Excitable Cells focuses on the fundamental nature of the signals carried in the nervous system, including nervous activity, synapses, and membrane permeability. The publication first elaborates on the elements of structure and function in the nervous system and resting nerve. Discussions focus on neuron, synapse, effect of changes in membrane permeability on membrane potential, recording nervous activity, movement of ions through solutions and membranes, and permeability of the resting membrane. The text then takes a look at the nerve impulse, including permeability changes associated with the nerve impulse, voltage clamp studies, and electrical model of the nerve membrane. The manuscript examines input signal and synapse. Topics include receptor discharge, generator potential, coding of the input message, frog neuromuscular junction, functional aspects of the vertebrate neuromuscular junction, nervous control of crustacean muscle, and central synapses. The publication is a dependable source material for biologists and readers interested in pursuing studies on excitable cells.
Wild Dogs
The Natural History of the Nondomestic Canidae
1st Edition
Jennifer W. Sheldon
English
Wild Dogs: The Natural History of the Nondomestic Canidae presents a comprehensive, current natural history of the nondomestic dog species. In this book, a prodigious amount of previously uncollected information is presented in a straightforward form. The organization of the book is alphabetical by genus, and, within each genus, alphabetically by Linnean species name. In some cases, very little is known about a species. In other cases, the amount of available information is enormous, and has been distilled to summary form. The volume is intended as a straightforward assemblage of material. It points the way toward, but is not intended to provide, a synthetic or theoretical big picture. The book is intended as a general reference work. Biologists, wildlife managers, mammalogists, conservationists, students, and carnivore specialists will find here information assembled nowhere else. Over 600 sources are included in the bibliography, so the book also serves as an entry to the literature for those seeking more technical or specialized knowledge. Naturalists and outdoorsmen will also enjoy discovering the particulars of familiar and unfamiliar canid species.
The Biology of Animal Viruses
2nd Edition
Frank J. Fenner + 2 more
English
The Biology of Animal Viruses, Second Edition deals with animal viruses focusing on molecular biology and tumor virology. The book reviews the nature, chemical composition, structure, and classification of animal viruses. The text also describes the methods of isolating animal viruses, how these are grown in the laboratory, assayed, purified, and used in biochemical experiments. The book also describes the structure and chemistry of many known viruses such as the papovaviridae, herpes virus, poxvirus, coronavirus, or the Bunyamwera supergroup. The book then explains the structure and function of the animal cell including the cytoplasmic organelles, the nucleus, inhibitors of cell function, and viral multiplication. Other papers discuss in detail the multiplication of the DNA and RNA viruses, whose mechanisms of multiplication differ from those of other viruses. Other papers discuss the known prevention and treatment methods of viral diseases, as well as the epidemiology and evolution of viral diseases resulting from human's disturbance of the biosphere and from medical and experimental innovations. The text can prove useful for immunologists, veterinarians, virologists, molecular researchers, students, and academicians in the field of cellular microbiology and virology.

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