Ecological Stoichiometry: The Biology of Elements from Molecules to the Biosphere

Book Description

All life is chemical. That fact underpins the developing field of ecological stoichiometry, the study of the balance of chemical elements in ecological interactions. This long-awaited book brings this field into its own as a unifying force in ecology and evolution. Synthesizing a wide range of knowledge, Robert Sterner and Jim Elser show how an understanding of the biochemical deployment of elements in organisms from microbes to metazoa provides the key to making sense of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

After summarizing the chemistry of elements and their relative abundance in Earth's environment, the authors proceed along a line of increasing complexity and scale from molecules to cells, individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. The book examines fundamental chemical constraints on ecological phenomena such as competition, herbivory, symbiosis, energy flow in food webs, and organic matter sequestration. In accessible prose and with clear mathematical models, the authors show how ecological stoichiometry can illuminate diverse fields of study, from metabolism to global change.

Set to be a classic in the field, Ecological Stoichiometry is an indispensable resource for researchers, instructors, and students of ecology, evolution, physiology, and biogeochemistry.

From the foreword by Peter Vitousek:

"[T]his book represents a significant milestone in the history of ecology. . . . Love it or argue with it--and I do both--most ecologists will be influenced by the framework developed in this book. . . . There are points to question here, and many more to test . . . And if we are both lucky and good, this questioning and testing will advance our field beyond the level achieved in this book. I can't wait to get on with it."

Photosynthesis: Molecular, Physiological and Environmental Processes

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A concentrated overview of photosynthesis

Photosynthesis: Molecular, Physiological and Environmental Processes
David W. Lawlor
Manufacturer: BIOS Scientific Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0387916075

Book Description

Photosynthesis provides food and, ultimately, energy for all living organisms. Recognized as a key process in balancing carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the atmosphere, it also plays a major role in global climate change. This new, fully updated edition continues to provide a clear summary of photosynthesis and an introduction to the vast scientific literature on this vital topic. The coverage is comprehensive, from atomic and molecular processes to plant production and yield. "Photosynthesis" has been completely revised to take into account recent advances in important areas of research, including the molecular basis of photosynthesis and the effects of environmental change. The comprehensive coverage makes this book an excellent text for all students and others taking courses on plant biochemistry, plant physiology or photosynthesis. Students on environmental studies courses will welcome the emphasis on environmental concerns.

Customer Reviews:

A concentrated overview of photosynthesis.......2005-01-12

It is perhaps a cliche to say that the process of photosynthesis is the most important one on Earth. Taking advantage of an essentially inexhaustible source of photons, photosynthesis is a highly complex sequence of physical events, with its evolutionary origins only recently explained. This monograph gives a comprehensive overview of photosynthetic system, and is one of the few that includes discussion of its molecular biology. The genetic engineering of the chloroplast is now of great interest, and is being done by many researchers. Readers who want to understand these developments will find a good start in this book. In addition, there has been a growing interest in being able to emulate photosynthesis in non-biological systems. Called `artificial photosynthesis', it would replicate or perhaps improve on the natural photosynthetic system, a prospect that has tremendous technological implications. In addition, the physics behind photosynthesis is discussed at an elementary level in the book, and would be suitable for readers who want to understand the physical processes but without getting into the details. A more detailed discussion would require a discussion of the physics of `excitons', which can involve advanced mathematics, more than this book wants to provide. Unfortunately the book does not discuss how the photosynthetic apparatus evolved, but this is a recent topic that was still pretty much an open question at the time of its publication.

Every topic in the book is fascinating, but for this reviewer the chapter on the molecular biology of the photosynthetic system stood out among the rest. One learns of how the chloroplasts contain DNA that replicates independently of other parts of the genome. This is called `chloroplastic DNA (cpDNA)' and codes for certain proteins, a list of which is given in the chapter. It is interesting to note that chloroplasts supposedly originated as prokaryotic endosymbionts, but as the author explains, many of the original symbiont genes were transferred to the nuclear genome. Their function was then replaced by new mechanisms in the chloroplasts. Chloroplast genes can be activated by light. Called in the book `photogenes', when illuminated they result in increases in transcripts and protein products. A list of light activated genes of the chloroplast and their products are given in this chapter.

In this chapter, the author also points out some open problems that require further research, such as the mechanism behind the proteolysis of the D1 protein in photosystem II. Another open question regards finding the explanation as to why different species of plants have wide variations in their response to light, with genes in some species showing both low and normal response to light, whereas in another showing no low light response. The author's tentative explanation for these differences is that they originate in the context of the ecological behavior of the plants. The sensitivity to light may give an advantage when seedlings are attempting to reach the soil surface or are in deep shade. It would not be advantageous to initiate the photosynthetic reactions fully until sufficient light is available.

That the nuclear and chloroplast genomes are not independent is readily clear from the discussions in this chapter on their interaction. The author gives a detailed diagram illustrating how they interact in terms of their gene products and their incorporation into the chloroplast compartments. The role of phytochrome in the regulation of gene expression is emphasized throughout this discussion. The author also discusses the `chloroplast factor', which is a mechanism for passing information to the nucleus that the chloroplast is ready to receive a protein.

This short review does not even scratch the surface of the many topics that are discussed in this book. Indeed, the apparatus of photosynthesis is extremely complex and one must spend a fair amount of time in attempting to understand it with a reasonable scale of detail. Many references are given for those readers who intend to gain an even more detailed understanding of photosynthesis. The time spend reading and studying this book is well worth it, even if one does not intend to specialize in research in photosynthesis, but rather has an intense curiosity to fathom what is certainly one of the most fascinating of physical systems to evolve on this planet.

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Great for anyone interested in virology

Viral Ecology
Christon J. Hurst
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0123626757

Book Description

Viral Ecology defines and explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactions with their hosting species, including the types of transmission cycles that have evolved, encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles, and vectors. It examines virology from an organismal biology approach, focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecology of viruses, their hosts, and their vectors.

Key Features
* The relationship between viruses and their hosting species
* The concept that viral interactions with their hosts represents a highly evolved aspect of organismal biology
* The types of transmission cycles which exist for viruses, including their hosts, vectors, and vehicles
* The concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecology of the viruses, their hosts, and their vectors

Customer Reviews:

Great for anyone interested in virology.......2001-02-10

If you are interested in virology this is a great book, even if you are new to the field. This book gives a good overview of viruses and factors affecting virus transmission and infection in on both a general and specific level. It also covers some of the basics. One interesting thing in this book is a proposal for the adoption of a fourth domain (akamara) for viruses and how it would fit into the general scheme of taxonomy.

Biology Of Anaerobic Microorganisms (Environmental and Applied Microbiology Series)

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Biology Of Anaerobic Microorganisms (Environmental and Applied Microbiology Series)
ALEXANDER ED. ZEHNDER
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471882267

Modern Soil Microbiology, Second Edition (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment)

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Modern Soil Microbiology, Second Edition (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment)

Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0824727495

Book Description

In the ten years since the publication of Modern Soil Microbiology, the study of soil microbiology has significantly changed, both in the understanding of the diversity and function of soil microbial communities and in research methods. Ideal for students in a variety of disciplines, this second edition provides a cutting-edge examination of a fascinating discipline that encompasses ecology, physiology, genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology, and makes use of biochemical and biophysical approaches. The chapters cover topics ranging from the fundamental to the applied, and describe the use of advanced methods that have provided a great thrust to the discipline of soil microbiology. Using the latest molecular analyses, they integrate principles of soil microbiology with novel insights into the physiology of soil microorganisms. The authors discuss the soil and rhizosphere as habitats for microorganisms, then go on to describe the different microbial groups, their adaptive responses, and their respective processes in interactive and functional terms. The book highlights a range of applied aspects of soil microbiology, including the nature of disease-suppressive soils, the use of biological control agents, biopesticides and bioremediation agents, and the need for correct statistics and experimentation in the analyses of the data obtained from soil systems.

Forensic DNA Profiling Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology (Cloth))

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Forensic DNA Profiling Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology (Cloth))
PATRICK J., ED. LINCOLN
Manufacturer: Humana Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Forensic Science | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0896034437

Book Description

Leading forensic experts from around the world describe in detail their time-proven methods for identity testing through DNA analysis. Their state-of-the-art collection of easily reproducible methods includes all of the major techniques of DNA analysis currently used in forensic identity testing. The book covers PCR- based test systems, the now widely used STR typing systems (complete with details of both manual and automated detection systems), repeat unit mapping (MVR), direct phase minisequencing, capillary electrophoresis, and direct blotting. Also fully discussed are the recovery of DNA from a wide range of sample types (blood, semen, skeletal remains, and saliva), species testing, sex determination, and mitochondrial DNA testing.

This state-of-the-art collection of easily reproducible methods includes all of the major techniques of DNA analysis currently used in forensic identity testing. The methods include the recovery of DNA from a large range of sample types, analysis of DNA as single and multi-locus VNTR probes, PCR amplification of STR and other loci, and mitochondrial sequencing. The expert scientists writing here-many from laboratories around the world-also discuss how to interpret the results in cases of unknown identity and disputed parentage.

Genes in the Environment: 15th Special Symposium of the British Ecological Society (Symposia of the British Ecological Society)

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Genes in the Environment: 15th Special Symposium of the British Ecological Society (Symposia of the British Ecological Society)

Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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An Illustrated Chinese-English Guide for Biomedical Scientists

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A very useful book
extremelu helpful
Do not waste your money!!!

An Illustrated Chinese-English Guide for Biomedical Scientists
James M. Samet
Manufacturer: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0879697016

Book Description

The Illustrated Chinese-English Guide for Biomedical Scientists is intended to build confidence in the use of English scientific language. The book lists terms that are in common use in science laboratories, translated into both simplified and complex Chinese. It also contains illustrations of equipment, labeled in both languages.

Customer Reviews:

A very useful book.......2005-10-19

As a chinese biomedical scientist, when I started my working in an American lab, I clearly remembered how hard it has been to let others understand me just because I didn't know the English names of some lab stuffs. I found this book is just specially designed for solving this problem. And its illustrations also vividly show you a real American lab. I believe, with this book at hand, your life in American lab will become more easier due to more effective communication. So, I strongly recommend it to those chinese who are working in or wish to join an American lab.
It is very helpful.

extremelu helpful .......2005-10-14

I found this book is extremely helpful. As personel exchanges in sciences between China and US are becoming increasinly active, this book provides a bible-like tool for those people involved in science. I strongly encourage biomedical scientists from both countris who are going to vist US or China should buy this book.
Of course, this book would be more helpful if simple conversations were added. i hope that we can see those conversations in the future.

Do not waste your money!!!.......2004-09-22

I bought this book, and I believe the title of this book is misleading. No biomedical scientist needs the book like this.
Do you believe that "time""timer""tissue""try" were "comprehensive terminology"?

Cold-adapted Organisms: Ecology, Physiology, Enzymology and Molecular Biology

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Cold-adapted Organisms: Ecology, Physiology, Enzymology and Molecular Biology
Rosa, Ed. Margesin
Manufacturer: SPRINGER-VERLAG
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3540649735

Book Description

Major parts of the oceans and lands of our planet are permanently, or temporarily, exposed to temperatures below 10 C. Microorganisms, plants and animals living under these conditions have adapted to their environments in such a way that metabolic processes, reproduction and survival strategies are optimal for their natural biotopes. This book presents the most recent knowledge of the ecology and the physiology of cold-adapted microorganisms, plants and animals, and explains the mechanisms of cold-adaptation on the enzymatic and molecular level, including results from the first crystal structures of enzymes of cold-adapted organisms.

Cellular Organelles and the Extracellular Matrix (Principles of Medical Biology)

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Cellular Organelles and the Extracellular Matrix (Principles of Medical Biology)
BITTAR
Manufacturer: JAI PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1559388048

Book Description

This volume is in two parts. The first contains the remaining chapters on cellular organelles and several chapters relating to organelle disorders. An account of mitochondriopathis is given in the chapter on the mitochondrion rather than in a separate one. The subject matter of this part of the volume shows quite clearly that the interdisciplinary approach to the study of organelles has shed considerable light on the nature of the mechanisms underlying the etiology and pathobiology of many of these disorders. As an example, mutations in the genes encoding integral membrane proteins are found to lead to disturbances in peroxisome assembly. It is also interesting and significant that mistargeting of protein is now thought to be another cause. It will be revealing to see whether mistargeting is the result of mutations in the genes encoding chaperones.
The second part of the volume is concerned with the extracellular matrix. It sets out to show that a vast body of new knowledge of the extracellular matrix is available to us. Take for example the integrin family of cell adhesion receptors. It turns out that integrins play a key role not only in adhesion but also in coupling signals to the nucleus via the cytoskeleton. As for fibronectins, they seem to link the matrix with the cytoskeleton by interacting with integrins.
Collagen molecules are dealt with in the last two chapters. The boundaries of collagen in disease are defined by drawing a clear line of demarcation between systemic connective tissue disorders (e.g., scleroderma), better known as autoimmune diseases, and the heritable, and the heritable diseases such as osteogenesis imperfect and the Marfan syndrome. This classification takes into account a second group of acquired disorders of collagen forming tissues in which regional fibrosis is the hallmark. Liver cirrhosis and pulmonary fibrosis are prime examples.
The decision to place Volumes 2 and 3 before those dealing with cell chemistry was not easily made. It was based on the view that most students will have had an undergraduate course in biochemistry of cell biology or both courses, and that they could go to Volumes 4-7 in which the subject of cell chemistry is covered, and then return to Volumes 2 and 3.

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