Download or read book Methanogenesis written by James G. Ferry and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 541 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the general recognition of the Archaebacteria, research into the evolution, metabolism, molecular biology and ecological roles of these fastidious anaerobes has proceeded at an ever-increasing pace. All possess a very novel biochemistry and many exploit unique ecological niches. Methanogens, which convert one-and-two carbon compounds into the important atmospheric gas methane, are the largest group among the Archaebacteria. Of all microbial groups, methanogens provide perhaps the best opportunity to study evolution because of their phyologenetic diversity and unique biochemistry. Today, the analysis of methanogens is at a threshold. Molecular-biological studies of these microorganisms are revealing more and more processes unique to this group, and in turn, studies of methanogens are providing new perspectives to the broader fields of biochemistry and molecular biology. This volume is the first book to be published on methanogenesis, and it will provide the reader with a comprehensive view of the field and point to future trends.

Download or read book Ecological Genomics written by Christian R. Landry and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-11-25 with total page 358 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Researchers in the field of ecological genomics aim to determine how a genome or a population of genomes interacts with its environment across ecological and evolutionary timescales. Ecological genomics is trans-disciplinary by nature. Ecologists have turned to genomics to be able to elucidate the mechanistic bases of the biodiversity their research tries to understand. Genomicists have turned to ecology in order to better explain the functional cellular and molecular variation they observed in their model organisms. We provide an advanced-level book that covers this recent research and proposes future development for this field. A synthesis of the field of ecological genomics emerges from this volume. Ecological Genomics covers a wide array of organisms (microbes, plants and animals) in order to be able to identify central concepts that motivate and derive from recent investigations in different branches of the tree of life. Ecological Genomics covers 3 fields of research that have most benefited from the recent technological and conceptual developments in the field of ecological genomics: the study of life-history evolution and its impact of genome architectures; the study of the genomic bases of phenotypic plasticity and the study of the genomic bases of adaptation and speciation.

Download or read book Mechanisms of Life History Evolution written by Thomas Flatt and published by OUP Oxford. This book was released on 2011-05-12 with total page 506 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Life history theory seeks to explain the evolution of the major features of life cycles by analyzing the ecological factors that shape age-specific schedules of growth, reproduction, and survival and by investigating the trade-offs that constrain the evolution of these traits. Although life history theory has made enormous progress in explaining the diversity of life history strategies among species, it traditionally ignores the underlying proximate mechanisms. This novel book argues that many fundamental problems in life history evolution, including the nature of trade-offs, can only be fully resolved if we begin to integrate information on developmental, physiological, and genetic mechanisms into the classical life history framework. Each chapter is written by an established or up-and-coming leader in their respective field; they not only represent the state of the art but also offer fresh perspectives for future research. The text is divided into 7 sections that cover basic concepts (Part 1), the mechanisms that affect different parts of the life cycle (growth, development, and maturation; reproduction; and aging and somatic maintenance) (Parts 2-4), life history plasticity (Part 5), life history integration and trade-offs (Part 6), and concludes with a synthesis chapter written by a prominent leader in the field and an editorial postscript (Part 7).

Download or read book The Serengeti Rules written by Sean B. Carroll and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2024-08-20 with total page 197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of today's most accomplished biologists and gifted storytellers reveals the rules that regulate all life How does life work? How does nature produce the right numbers of zebras and lions on the African savanna, or fish in the ocean? How do our bodies produce the right numbers of cells in our organs and bloodstream? In The Serengeti Rules, award-winning biologist and author Sean Carroll tells the stories of the pioneering scientists who sought the answers to such simple yet profoundly important questions, and shows how their discoveries matter for our health and the health of the planet we depend upon. One of the most important revelations about the natural world is that everything is regulated—there are rules that regulate the amount of every molecule in our bodies and rules that govern the numbers of every animal and plant in the wild. And the most surprising revelation about the rules that regulate life at such different scales is that they are remarkably similar—there is a common underlying logic of life. Carroll recounts how our deep knowledge of the rules and logic of the human body has spurred the advent of revolutionary life-saving medicines, and makes the compelling case that it is now time to use the Serengeti Rules to heal our ailing planet. Bold and inspiring, The Serengeti Rules illuminates how life works at vastly different scales. Read it and you will never look at the world the same way again.

Download or read book Genes Behavior and the Social Environment written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2006-11-07 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the past century, we have made great strides in reducing rates of disease and enhancing people's general health. Public health measures such as sanitation, improved hygiene, and vaccines; reduced hazards in the workplace; new drugs and clinical procedures; and, more recently, a growing understanding of the human genome have each played a role in extending the duration and raising the quality of human life. But research conducted over the past few decades shows us that this progress, much of which was based on investigating one causative factor at a time—often, through a single discipline or by a narrow range of practitioners—can only go so far. Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment examines a number of well-described gene-environment interactions, reviews the state of the science in researching such interactions, and recommends priorities not only for research itself but also for its workforce, resource, and infrastructural needs.

Download or read book Azospirillum VI and Related Microorganisms written by Istvan Fendrik and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-06-29 with total page 546 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Azospirillum is a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium used for inoculation of cereal and forage crops. The book covers its physiology, ecology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The most advanced molecular techniques to understand the regulatory mechanisms of nitrogen fixation and ammonia assimilation, as well as the basis of phytohormone production, are included. In particular, the identification of novel types of promoters, specific regulatory circuits, and new regulatory proteins is described. New insights in the plant growth promoting role of the bacteria through the analysis of their interactions with the plant are presented. Also discussed are field applications, allowing the evaluation of the physiological and agronomic involvement of Azospirillum inoculations.

Download or read book Physiological Ecology of North American Plant Communities written by Brain F. Chabot and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 704 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although, as W.D. Billings notes in his chapter in this book. the development of physiological ecology can be traced back to the very beginnings of the study of ecology it is clear that the modern development of this field in North America is due in the large part to the efforts of Billings alone. The foundation that Billings laid in the late 1950s came from his own studies on deserts and subsequently arctic and alpine plants, and also from his enormous success in instilling enthusiasm for the field in the numerous students attracted to the plant ecology program at Duke University. Billings' own studies provided the model for subsequent work in this field. Physiological techniques. normally confined to the laboratory. were brought into the field to examine processes under natural environmental conditions. These field studies were accompanied by experiments under controlled conditions where the relative impact of various factors could be assessed and further where genetic as opposed to environmental influences could be separated. This blending of field and laboratory approaches promoted the design of experiments which were of direct relevance to understanding the distribution and abundance of plants in nature. Physiological mechanisms were studied and assessed in the context of the functioning of plants under natural conditions rather than as an end in itself.

Download or read book Opportunities in Biology written by National Research Council and published by National Academies. This book was released on 1989-01-01 with total page 471 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biology has entered an era in which interdisciplinary cooperation is at an all-time high, practical applications follow basic discoveries more quickly than ever before, and new technologiesâ€"recombinant DNA, scanning tunneling microscopes, and moreâ€"are revolutionizing the way science is conducted. The potential for scientific breakthroughs with significant implications for society has never been greater. Opportunities in Biology reports on the state of the new biology, taking a detailed look at the disciplines of biology; examining the advances made in medicine, agriculture, and other fields; and pointing out promising research opportunities. Authored by an expert panel representing a variety of viewpoints, this volume also offers recommendations on how to meet the infrastructure needsâ€"for funding, effective information systems, and other supportâ€"of future biology research. Exploring what has been accomplished and what is on the horizon, Opportunities in Biology is an indispensable resource for students, teachers, and researchers in all subdisciplines of biology as well as for research administrators and those in funding agencies.

Download or read book The Mussel Mytilus written by Elizabeth Gosling and published by Elsevier Science & Technology. This book was released on 1992 with total page 612 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hardbound. Mussels, of the genus Mytilus are among the commonest of marine molluscs and constitute an important element in the ecology of coastal waters. The mussel's sessile habit makes it suited to cultivation and as filter-feeder an effective concentrator of trace toxic substances. They are thus excellent biomonitoring organisms of coastal water quality. The mussel has been extensively used in experimental studies and a vast body of data on its use in fundamental physiological, biochemical, genetic and toxicological investigations is available. More recently this knowledge has extended into the newer fields of nutrition, environmental monitoring, toxicology, disease, population genetics and biotechnology. This book presents a thorough compilation of state-of-the-art information on mussels in the form of critical review papers written by leading authorities in the field. For workers involved in both research and practical aspects of the biology

Download or read book Plant Physiological Ecology written by Hans Lambers and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2008-10-08 with total page 624 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Box 9E. 1 Continued FIGURE 2. The C–S–R triangle model (Grime 1979). The strategies at the three corners are C, competiti- winning species; S, stress-tolerating s- cies; R,ruderalspecies. Particular species can engage in any mixture of these three primary strategies, and the m- ture is described by their position within the triangle. comment briefly on some other dimensions that Grime’s (1977) triangle (Fig. 2) (see also Sects. 6. 1 are not yet so well understood. and 6. 3 of Chapter 7 on growth and allocation) is a two-dimensional scheme. A C—S axis (Com- tition-winning species to Stress-tolerating spe- Leaf Economics Spectrum cies) reflects adaptation to favorable vs. unfavorable sites for plant growth, and an R- Five traits that are coordinated across species are axis (Ruderal species) reflects adaptation to leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf life-span, leaf N disturbance. concentration, and potential photosynthesis and dark respiration on a mass basis. In the five-trait Trait-Dimensions space,79%ofallvariation worldwideliesalonga single main axis (Fig. 33 of Chapter 2A on photo- A recent trend in plant strategy thinking has synthesis; Wright et al. 2004). Species with low been trait-dimensions, that is, spectra of varia- LMA tend to have short leaf life-spans, high leaf tion with respect to measurable traits. Compared nutrient concentrations, and high potential rates of mass-based photosynthesis. These species with category schemes, such as Raunkiaer’s, trait occur at the ‘‘quick-return’’ end of the leaf e- dimensions have the merit of capturing cont- nomics spectrum.

Download or read book Seaweed Ecology and Physiology written by Catriona L. Hurd and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2014-07-17 with total page 567 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A synthesis of concepts and examples of how physiological processes influence seaweed communities worldwide, authored by experts in the field.

Download or read book Root Physiology from Gene to Function written by Hans Lambers and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2005-11-28 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Reprinted from Plant and soil, volume 274 (2005)."

Download or read book Examining Ecology written by Paul A. Rees and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2017-11-27 with total page 415 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Examining Ecology: Exercises in Environmental Biology and Conservation explains foundational ecological principles using a hands-on approach that features analyzing data, drawing graphs, and undertaking practical exercises that simulate field work. The book provides students and lecturers with real life examples to demonstrate basic principles. The book helps students, instructors, and those new to the field learn about the principles of ecology and conservation by completing a series of problems. Prior knowledge of the subject is not assumed; the work requires users to be able to perform simple calculations and draw graphs. Most of the exercises in the book have been used widely by the author's own students over a number of years, and many are based on real data from published research. Exercises are succinct with a broad number of options, which is a unique feature among similar books on this topic. The book is primarily intended as a resource for students, academics, and instructors studying, teaching, and working in zoology, ecology, biology, wildlife conservation and management, ecophysiology, behavioural ecology, population biology and ecology, environmental biology, or environmental science. Students will be able to progress through the book attempting each exercise in a logical sequence, beginning with basic principles and working up to more complex exercises. Alternatively they may wish to focus on specific chapters on specialist areas, e.g., population dynamics. Many of the exercises introduce students to mathematical methods (calculations, use of formulae, drawing of graphs, calculating simple statistics). Other exercises simulate fieldwork projects, allowing users to 'collect' and analyze data which would take considerable time and effort to collect in the field. - Facilitates learning about the principles of ecology and conservation biology through succinct, yet comprehensive real-life examples, problems, and exercises - Features authoritatively and consistently written foundational content in biodiversity, ecophysiology, behavioral ecology, and more, as well as abundant and diverse cases for applied use - Functions as a means of learning ecological and conservation-related principles by 'doing', e.g., by analyzing data, drawing graphs, and undertaking practical exercises that simulate field work, and more - Features approximately 150 photos and figures created and produced by the author

Download or read book Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences written by Julian Evans and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2004-04-02 with total page 5752 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A combination of broad disciplinary coverage and scientific excellence, the Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences will be an indispensable addition to the library of anyone interested in forests, forestry and forest sciences. Packed with valuable insights from experts all over the world, this remarkable set not only summarizes recent advances in forest science techniques, but also thoroughly covers the basic information vital to comprehensive understanding of the important elements of forestry. The Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences also covers relevant biology and ecology, different types of forestry (e.g. tropical forestry and dryland forestry), scientific names of trees and shrubs, and the applied, economic, and social aspects of forest management. Valuable key features further enhance the utility of this Encyclopedia as an exceptional reference tool. Also available online via ScienceDirect – featuring extensive browsing, searching, and internal cross-referencing between articles in the work, plus dynamic linking to journal articles and abstract databases, making navigation flexible and easy. For more information, pricing options and availability visit www.info.sciencedirect.com. Edited and written by a distinguished group of editors and contributors Well-organized encyclopedic format provides concise, readable entries, easy searches, and thorough cross-references Illustrative tables, figures, and photographs in every entry, produced in full color Comprehensive glossary defines new and important terms Complete, up-to-date coverage of over 60 areas of forest sciences - sure to be of interest to scientists, students, and professionals alike! Editor-in-Chief is the past president of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations, the oldest international collaborative forestry research organization with over 15,000 scientists from 100 countries

Download or read book Biology and Ecology of Antarctic Krill written by Volker Siegel and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-08-03 with total page 458 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book gives a unique insight into the current knowledge of krill population dynamics including distribution, biomass, production, recruitment, growth and mortality rates. Detailed analysis is provided on food and feeding, reproduction and krill behaviour. The volume provides an overview on the aspects of natural challenges to the species, which involve predation, parasites and the commercial exploitation of the resource and its management. A chapter on genetics shows the results of population subdivision and summarizes recent work on sequencing transcriptomes for studying gene function as part of the physiology of live krill. The focus of Chapter 4 is on physiological functions such as biochemical composition, metabolic activity and growth change with ontogeny and season; and will demonstrate which environmental factors are the main drivers for variability. Further discussed in this chapter are the bottle necks which occur in the annual life cycle of krill, and the mechanisms krill have adapted to cope with severe environmental condition.

Download or read book Physiological Genetics written by John G. Scandalios and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2014-04-24 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Physiological Genetics is a compilation of developments, contributed by experts in the field of physiological genetics. The articles contained in the book covers various accounts of developments in the field. The book starts with an introductory chapter describing genetic factors in developmental gene regulation, followed by discussions on enzyme differentiation, hormonal control of gene expression, biochemical genetics of morphogenesis, cytoplasmic male sterility in maize, plant somatic cell genetics, and the population dynamics of genetic polymorphism. Physiologists, biologists, geneticists, and students will find a valuable reference material.

Download or read book Culex Pipiens Pipiens Mosquitoes written by Elena Borisovna Vinogradova and published by Pensoft Publishers. This book was released on 2000 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: