Symbiosis: An Introduction to Biological Associations

Book Description

The first edition of this book, published by University Press of New England in 1986, sold over 2500 copies, and was received as the best introductory overview of this broad field. Quite a lot has happened in the field of symbiosis in the past 10 years, especially concerning molecular mechanisms. Ahmadjian and Paracer have thoroughly updated their book, addressing advances in the field and the emergence of fields such as cellular microbiology, immunoparasitology, and endocytobiology, which have revealed new aspects of symbiosis. It is the only book to cover all aspects of symbiosis at an introductory level.

Customer Reviews:

Little long, but very thorough overview.......2005-04-28

Symbiosis by Surindar Paracer and Vernon Ahmadjian is an extensive view into the remarkable world of symbiotic relationships across all different organisms throughout the varying Kingdoms. The topics covered range from viral and bacterial pathogenesis, the symbioses possible in the origins of the Eukaryotic cell and fungal relationships between plants, animals, and fungi. Also covered are the symbiotic relationships that compose parasitic infections, animal parasitism, plant-pollinator relations, behavioral and social symbioses, and finally, co-evolution. The book does an excellent job in separating the levels of symbioses as they span through the varying bacteria, protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals. Also, brief examples of previous research are given as well as numerous references to these experiments.
The first topic discussed in Symbiosis is that of viral associations with differing organisms such as humans, insects, and fungi. An in depth approach is taking discussing the multiple taxonomic variations found in the seven main viruses. Pathogenesis such as HIV in humans is touched on as well as the replication methods that viruses use in order to infect their hosts. After the viruses, the bacteria and their effects on animals, protozoa, and other bacteria are approached. The topics approached include predatory bacteria and the parasitism of amoebas within human intestinal tracts. Bacterial bioluminescence as found within many marine species of fish and squid are explained as well. Finally, the topic of rumen microbial ecosystems is approached and a thorough explanation of the bacterial association is explained. The topic of bacterial pathogenesis touches upon the topics of Salmonella, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and E. coli. The detail covered in the text includes both the possible origins of the varying bacteria and the molecular compositions of the varying species.
The symbiotic relationships found among plants are discussed including the Nitrogen fixing bacteria found within legumes and other plants. Other plants affected by symbiotic relationships include the Bryophytes and Cycads. Due to these organisms extended history, the extent of time that a symbiotic relationship has been shared is clear and impressive. The angiosperms are touched upon briefly dealing with such diseases as vascular wilts, soft rots, scabs, and cankers.
An interesting chapter focuses mainly solely on the Serial Endobymbiosis theory and similar symbiotic cell theories such as the Hydrogen Hypothesis. In extreme detail these topics are diagrammed and explained as how the mitochondria and chloroplasts have found there where within other cells. Also included in this endosymbiosis theory are the acquisition of microtubules for movement, peroxisomes, hydrogenosomes, and even the nucleus of cells. An interesting viewpoint is explored as the host cell being analogous to that of an intracellular ecosystem.
A book cannot be written on symbiosis without dealing with the fascinating world of fungi. In Symbiosis the fungal associations found between protozoa and animals are discussed first. The intriguing topic of predatory fungi is explored in great depth including the multitudes of trap types that fungi used. The world of insects and their relations with fungi is touched upon as well discussing the wood wasp and scolytid beetle. The fungal gardens maintained by some of these creatures for nourishment as well as some wasps and ants are of extreme interest. The chapter immediately following tackles fungal associations found in fungi, algae, and especially plants. The topic of lichens is explained, exampled, and discussed in great depth including types of lichens, distribution, dispersal and reproduction, as well as the recognizing mechanisms between fungi and algae/cyanobacterium, case pending. After lichens are thoroughly discussed the topic of mycorrhiza is approached and discussed in great depth including vesicular and arbiscular forms as well as ectendomycorrhiza and ericoid mycorrhiza, dealing with coniferophyta and heather families, respectively. Some topics of fungal associations with plants are approached and interesting methods such as castration of the plant and devastating rust, smut, and mildew diseases.
The next world explored encompasses protozoa and there mutualistic and parasitic relationships on plants, animals, and other protozoa. The topic of ruminant symbioses is revisited with ciliates as well as that found within the tadpoles of amphibian genus Opalina. A fascinating occurrence found in both Opalina and other organisms is the ability for the parasite to correspond with the life cycle of the organism. The largest portion of the chapter deals with malaria and the mechanisms involved in the complex transfer and history of the disease. This chapter supplies excellent diagrams and life-cycle charts to plot the life cycles and mechanisms used by the protozoa and the insects or animals they inhabit. The marine world is briefly approached in the relationships among sea sponges and anemones as well as jellyfish. Some of these marine species have changed their behavior drastically in order to maximize the photosynthesis of their endosymbiotic partners such as the Cassiopeia xamachana or upside down jellyfish. Many cases are given of the photosynthesis adaptations in the marine and intertidal world of these creatures.
The stomach churning chapter of animal parasitism is certainly one to make you second guess your future food choices. This chapter deals specifically with flukes, nematodes, tapeworms, and parasitoids and goes into great depths of the organisms, their methods, and the eventual unfortunate outcomes of their hosts. As with previous chapters the extensive diagrams allow the reader to properly understand the conveyed paths used by the worms in their travels through intermediate host and into their desired system. The fascinating topic of parasitoids is approached and the insect-worm relationships are viewed in some depth including the famous fig and wasp situations of mutualism and co-evolution.
Dealing with the angiosperms the topic is brief, but concise. This chapter is an excellent lead into the final chapter of co-evolution as it deals with tree-ant symbioses as well as the extremely co-evolved world of plants and pollinators, and the sycamore fig-gall wasp association is touched in greater deal. The final portion of the chapter deals with parasitic plants such as the dodders, mistletoes, and the world's largest flowering plant, the Rafflesia arnoldii.
Possibly the best topic of the book was saved for last dealing with behavioral and social symbiosis and co-evolution. The topic of cleaning fish is dealt with in great deal as well as the modifications that can be found in host-parasite interactions. Social parasitism found in wasps, ants, and termites is discussed as well as that of cowbirds and their highly developed brood parasitism shared with cuckoos. The book ends with an overview of the molecular and genetic approaches to viewing symbiosis. Although it gets somewhat dense at this point it is important to understand the relationships found between genetic polymorphism and its common occurrence among individuals who share symbiotic relationships.
On the whole, Symbiosis does an excellent job of covering the dense world of symbiotic relationships in a relatively short amount of space while still giving multiple examples, detailed drawings, and uncountable references for further investigation. This book is a definite read for any novice interested in the world of symbiotic relationships or any well developed biologist interested in learning more through brief examples and extensive references.

Symbiosis: An Introduction to Biological Associations

Average customer rating:

Symbiosis: An Introduction to Biological Associations
Vernon Ahmadjian Surindar Paracer
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKAGNW

Average customer rating:

I loved this, and have purchased copies for others.

Largely disappointing

Great reference book on the sport

Get Out There and Do It!

Get Out There and Register!

The Complete Guide to Adventure Racing
Don Mann , and Kara Schaad
Manufacturer: Hatherleigh Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Instructional | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
General | Training | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Extreme Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Orienteering

Adventure Racing

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of My Feet: Tales from the World of Adventure Racing

Be Expert With Map and Compass: The Complete Orienteering Handbook

Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter & Gps (Mountaineers Outdoor Basics)

ASIN: 1578260647

Book Description

Adventure sports have seized the interest of the world. According to the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) 189 million outdoor enthusiasts in the U.S. were involved in adventure sports and travel in 1998. Millions of Americans are heading outside for fitness, self-discovery, and a closer connection to the environment, and many are creating a lifestyle out of it. Adventure racing is a new multi-discipline sport that requires individual will, endurance, survival skills, outdoor savvy, and teamwork to be successful. The duration of adventure races varies from one-day races to two-week expeditions requiring both day and night navigation through harsh and challenging terrain. The sport requires the athlete be versed in a variety of outdoor sports, have individual drive and the highest team skills. In The Complete Guide to Adventure Racing, you'll learn: the best techniques for biking, paddling, and climbing, gear selection, proper use, and preparation, navigation and orienteering essentials, tips on nutrition, hydration and health, team strategy and logistics, a comprehensive listing of schools, races from around the world and much more.

Customer Reviews:

I loved this, and have purchased copies for others........2007-06-14

As an adventure racer who recalls when Don Mann owned Odyssey AR, I recall his midnight encouragement at CPs. At Primal Quest in Moab in 2006 Don was just as enthusiastic. This books carries some of that sincere, enthusiastic voice. His energy kept me running for years. I recall running together on the backstretch of the JFK 50 mile ultramarathon. We talked about books. Some time later, Don shared his enthusiasm for me by writing a testimonial for my book. For anyone interested in learning about our sport I strongly encourage you to read this book. Doug Gray, PCC, and author of Passionate Action: 5 Steps to Extraordinary Success in Life and Work

Largely disappointing.......2005-08-13

firstly this reviewer is a racer and has quite some experience in the various disciplines of AR (adventure racing) so bear that in mind.

The book is quite well laid out covering most things you might expect in AR. The exciting glossy cover belies the lower quality paper and pictures used within- no smart glossies inside, rather some average b/w photos.

The information inside is fine but can largely be found elsewhere with a quick google search. Still a good repository of information.

If you are looking for some guidance re AR equipment, training, techniques, tips and have not looed for the same on the web, this will be a useful book, if you have looked then it is something to have on the bookshelf. It is not of sufficient quality to have out on the coffee table as a conversation piece!
My 2cents.

Great reference book on the sport.......2003-07-14

I new to AR (3 races to date) and was looking for a good reference book on the subject. This book exceeded my expectations. It is well organized and filled with practical information and detail. It has section with tips and advice from experienced racers, there is also first person accounts of races and experiences. It is also a great price for all the information you get.

Get Out There and Do It!.......2002-08-20

The adventure racing world waited a long time for a resource as comprehensive as this one. It is no surprise that we were finally provided this resource by the man who founded Odyssey Adventure Racing, a company that produces more races than any other US AR company and also offers a great racing academy.

One of the best features of The Complete Guide to Adventure Racing is that rather than giving us "the gospel according to Mann and Schaad", it provides multiple views from various experts on controversial topics such as nutrition, strategy, team dynamics, and sleep management. You may occasionally find that the contributors disagree with each other, which only serves to underscore the strategic nature of the sport.

What I didn't expect was inspirational content in addition to the detailed information of this text. By including first-person stories from other racers, race directors, and observers, the book becomes a "good read" in addition to an instructive one. It makes you want to get out there and register for the first race you can find. Buy this book and you'll see what I mean!

Get Out There and Register!.......2002-08-18

Book Description

ssalamu'lekum is a greeting you'll hear from dawn to dusk and on into the night. 'Peace be upon you' - if only you could return the wish! And how about the farewell: lla yhennik - 'May God give you tranquility'. Must be one of the best ways to bid goodbye to someone about to travel further into the magic lands of Morocco.

script throughout
language specific to Morocco
extensive vocabulary list
full of useful cultural tips
extensive food and shopping sections
includes chapters on Berber and French
easy to use pronunciation guide

Customer Reviews:

Good reference... .......2007-08-11

if you have had some language training in Moroccan Arabic or classical/standard Arabic. It's otherwise a bit difficult to use, especially if it's your first exposure to the language. One added benefit is the book's two short sections on French and Berber phrases for the traveler.

Good Phrasebook but needed some help........2007-07-23

The phrasebook was very helpful when I went over to Morocco for vacation. But before I left I had to have my friend from Morocco help me to make sure I was pronouncing them correctly. But for the most part it was helpful and very useful.

Initially seemed great, but turned out NOT to be useful.......2007-02-02

I bought it with a great enthusiasm but when I arrived at Morocco I discovered that the book is not useful for some reasons. I traveled around Morocco on bicycle for 2 weeks but learnt only very few phrases from this book. I suspect something is wrong with the structure of this phrasebook.

Zuina Bezzaf - MUST READ BOOK!.......2005-05-24

This book was GREAT! It's the best one out there, and it's a Fantastic price. So much information, helpful phrases, easy word spelling for prnounciation. This book was so helpful and yet so simple, it takes you from basic topics such as "Religion" "People" "Places" "Transportation" "Feelings" and so many other topics. This is a must read book. And it's so small, you can bring it anywhere.

The best choice (of 2) for travel needs and tourists..........2005-02-16

Okay, so there are really only two books out there that I know of which will teach you anything about Moroccan Arabic: this handy little pocket-sized phrase book and the big, green, more academic text called "A Basic Course in Moroccan Arabic." The choice between the two is clear, with the Lonely Planet book being the obvious choice for the thousands of us who just plan on going to Morocco for a short visit as a tourist or on business. The other book would probably be a better choice if you plan on living in Morocco and need to know the grammar and truly gain some in-depth knowledge, though the LP phrasebook would probably be a good place to start anyway.

This "Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook" has most of what you will need for a short junket, with the usual smattering of vocabulary on food, clothes, medical problems, directions, hotels and airports. To add some criticism, since no book is perfect, I would mention that the glossary is only English-->Moroccan, so if someone tells you a word in "darija" you will have no way to look it up and find its equivalent in English. I really don't see the point of putting everything in Arabic script either, since Moroccan Arabic is never written down and the target audience won't be reading anything in Arabic anyway! Maybe just including a description of the alphabet in an appendix would suffice. As usual, there are always some things you need but cannot find (typically "where is the bathroom?", though I think LP included that this time!)...

I had a great time with some Moroccans at a party using the phrasebook: None of them spoke any French or English, so I played charades by acting like I was one of the animals listed in the book and I knew that they were guessing the right animal, since I had the name in the book in front of me. Cheezy-sounding, but believe me, when you have no way to communicate with anyone around you, desperation sets in! Which is where this great phrasebook will come in handy!

Lonely Planet Moroccan Arabic: A Three-In-One Survival Kit (Travel Talk)

Average customer rating:

mis-translated!

Lonely Planet Moroccan Arabic: A Three-In-One Survival Kit (Travel Talk)
Audio
Manufacturer: Penton Overseas
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

Travel | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

Study & Teaching | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

Morocco | Africa | Travel | Subjects | Books

Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 1560156457

Book Description

In each compact TravelTalk kit: 60-minute audio cassette in both English and the target language provides key words and phrases with accurate native pronunciationHandy fold-out audio guide for quick on-the-spot reference and reinforcementLonely Planet Phrasebook/Dictionary features clear and comprehensive grammar chapters, an extensive, 2-way dictionary, information on local culture plus travel tips

Customer Reviews:

mis-translated!.......2002-01-05

I got this book hoping I could learn the language before I went on my vacation to Casablanca. What I did find out later (I wouldnt have known unless someone told me) was that some words were not ranslated properly! One of the transliterations of a word gave the Arabic word: "tarjim" which means "translate" in Arabic! Big mistake! Also, some words in the translation for a phrase were missing. I wouldnt recommend it, unless you are desperate. Plus, a lot of the books pages (which aren't many, it's a very thin book)were taken up with how to count to ten in Berber, Berber phrases, and some French phrases. If I wanted a tiny French phrasebook I would have bought one. This book is really small and a lot of it is wasted with the French and Berber stuff, and too many incorrect (moroccan)Arabic transliterations.

Lonely Planet Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook

Average customer rating:

Lonely Planet Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook
Abdennabi Benchehda
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1740591879

Book Description

A 1998 National Book Award Finalist

Eleven-year-old Amanda Woods is discovering that the person other people think she is and the person she really is are not the same. So she changes her name from bland Amanda Woods to Amanda K. Woods--someone who is proud and strong and sure of herself. And that small change sets off a chain reaction, leaving Amanda--and the whole Woods family--entirely different. Ann Cameron's first novel for middle readers is every bit as insightful as her best-selling chapter books--and her fans will take Amanda to their hearts.

"Cameron displays a virtuoso gift for precision, telling observations, and creative but unforced imagery... her negotiation of the delicate nuances of the myriad relationships between people will open the eyes of many readers attempting to do the same." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"Amanda K. Woods is a girl to like--she just doesn't know it yet. She's quirky, serious, impulsive, imaginative, perceptive, smart, and now, sharp...Amanda is the story, and she's as funny as she is wise." --Kirkus Reviews, pointer review

* A 1998 National Book Award Finalist
* A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book

* A Puffin Novel
* 208 pages
* Ages 10-14

Customer Reviews:

A Girl's Life.......2007-02-13

This book The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods is the type of book I love to read! It is about a girl's life and how she struggles through growing up. The main character is Amanda and she lives in Lost Lake Wisconsin. Amanda has a "perfect sister" named Margaret. She has a mom who thinks Amanda is "descent" and has a father that is quiet but hides his feelings of being the fun person he is. At the beginning she looses something very important to her. It is her best friend. But before her friend moves away they do something spectacular: they switch hands. Not literally of course, but they do this to give each other strength while they are apart. Switching hands helps Amanda later on and brings her through tough situations. I enjoyed every part of the book and had trouble putting it down. I would recommend this book to 5th graders and up.

By Sunny Leinbach

a beautiful book to read w/your daughter.......2006-03-08

My eight year old daughter and I read thid book together and we had a wonderful time. It is charming and beautifully written.

The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods.......2005-12-15

The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods is by Ann Cameron, and I gave it 4 stars.

I gave this book 4 stars because I enjoyed it, but I think it had a few missing parts. The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods takes place in Wisconsin in the 1950s. It focuses on an eleven year old girl going through many difficulties in her life, and we see how she handles them and the outcome of everything. Amanda's problems start when her best and only friend moves away, and then continues with her over-demanding mom, nearly perfect sister, and her loneliness. We get to see Amanda go through her problems and end up gaining many new friends, a closer relationship with her sister and father, a pen pal from France, and ends up surprising her mom with her outstanding skills in arithmetic. This book would be great for girls who are around Amanda's age-11 years old, because they might be experiencing the same issues she is dealing with in the book. I could even relate to Amanda K. Woods, a few times, myself.
Although I enjoy this book, and do recommend it, I believe the author included some unnecessary parts and there were also some missing ones. The author included a character in the beginning, so you believe that he will eventually show up in the story again later, but you never see him again. The author leaves you in suspense, but it is also good because it gives you room to imagine your own ending to the story.
Some other titles I would recommend you to read are, The Wedding (for an older/mature reader), The Luna Bay Series, and Hope was Here. I am thirteen years old and I enjoy going to the beach.

Book Review-The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods.......2005-10-31

In The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods, Amanda lives on Lost Lake. As an eleven-year-old girl she has many difficulties in life, a strict mother, a somewhat perfect sister, and a best friend who moves away. When her best friend, Lyle Leveridge, moves away she is very depressed that he is gone. On a summer day Lyle and Amanda traded their right hands. She wants to be different from her family: a demanding mom, a perfect older sister, and her father, who she is very close to yet she doesn't want to be like him. Trying to be different she changes her name from boring Amanda Woods to Amanda K. Woods, a person who is strong and confident. This occurrence causes a sequence of cause and effect actions.
I liked this book because of how described some of Amanda's feelings are. Like when Lyle moves away, Ann Cameron goes into detail about how upset Amanda is. I also like the section written as a letter. I didn't like some of the mother's actions because she seamed very rude and snotty. Overall I liked this book.

The Secret Person Inside.......2005-06-10

The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods is an award-winning novel by Ann Cameron. Ann Cameron tells the story of an eleven-year-old girl named Amanda Woods, who doesn't quite want to be herself. Ever since the day Amanda Woods traded right hands with her best friend when he moved away, she knew things were going to change for her. There are some things in life you just can't change, like who your family is, but she is determined to change what she can. To begin with, she's not going to be just plain Amanda Woods anymore, she's going to be Amanda K. Woods: someone who is proud and confident about herself. There is more to Amanda than anyone else can see, and there are things about Amanda that even she herself doesn't know yet. With the help of a new friend, Amanda begins to find the secret person who lives inside herself.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books