Advances In Comparative Physiology And Biochemistry

Advances in Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry puts emphasis on the advances in the studies of physiology and biochemistry. Divided into four chapters, this book focuses first on the fundamentals in the electrobiology of excitable tissues of animals. Topics discussed are cell structure and bioelectronics activity; the ionic theory of bioelectrogenesis; evolution and molecular basis of bioelectrogenesis; and extension of the atomic theory. The second part offers a comparison of mechanisms of conduction as well as integration of excitation in the central nervous system of invertebrates. Given emphasis are morphological determinants of integrative capacity, giant fiber systems, integration of dynamic stimulus parameters, and the patterns of innervation and central organization of small-fibered elements. The third part deals with metabolic behavior of knallgasbacteria. A survey of species and strains is discussed, including the fixation of carbon dioxide, the utilization of hexoses, and the respiratory chain of these bacteria. The concluding part offers a comparative physiology of marsupials. Given emphasis are reproductive and digestive physiology, temperature regulation, and the control of water and salt level of these animals. This book is valuable for readers interested in doing research on physiology and biochemistry.

Advances in Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Volume 7, presents four papers that illustrate a logical progression from evolutionary and genetic aspects of the biochemistry of a family of enzymes to the biochemical. The first study deals with the comparative biochemistry, physiology, and genetics of animal a-amylases. The second study examines the biochemistry of intercellular recognition, which is a component of so many biological phenomena. It covers the evolution of intercellular recognition processes; primitive sex mechanisms as precursors of intercellular recognition; conjugation in single-celled eukaryotes; fertilization in metazoans; cell aggregation as a developmental event in cellular slime molds; aggregation of dissociated sponge cells; and contact cellular interactions during embryonic development. The third paper explores the role of amino acids in neurotransmission. The final paper on the biochemical and biophysical aspects of the complex range of functions of the swimbladder in fishes establishes a link with the higher categories of organismal interaction in the fields of behavior and ecology.

Advances in Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Volume 8, presents five papers covering topics that range from biochemical aspects of the genetics of the various mutants of the fruit fly Drosophila to the physiological, biophysical, and biochemical mechanisms in diving animals. The first study on the biochemistry and genetics of purine metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster examines purine nucleotide biosynthesis and interconversion, catabolism of purines, genetics of catabolic enzymes, and purine auxotrophy. The second study on central nervous system regulation of pituitary melanocyte-stimulating hormone presents experiments with amphibians, reptiles, and mammals that test nervous-neuroendocrine control of MSS release. The third study examines the comparative physiology of calcium regulation in submammalian vertebrates, including fishes, amphibians, and birds. The fourth study looks at the cerebellum of fishes. The final paper deals with the comparative physiology of diving in vertebrates. The book will be useful to biologists given their appreciation of functional biological principles, as well as a reference tool for specialists.

Advances in Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Volume 3 focuses on phylogenetic and taxonomic value of enzyme variation between species; synthesis of proteins in the formation of specialized cells; and how organisms metabolize compounds. The selection first offers information on variation in enzyme structure and function and molecular aspects of cytodifferentiation. Discussions focus on molecular basis of enzyme evolution, genetic basis of evolution, technical difficulties in the comparative study of enzymes, and enzyme evolution and phylogeny. The text then takes a look at the comparative metabolism of xenobiotics, including oxidations, reductions, dechlorinations and dehydrochlorinations, bromination, formation of peptides, acetylation, and evolutionary and taxonomic aspects of detoxication. The manuscript examines the biochemistry of supporting materials in organisms and crustacean metabolism. Topics include survey of natural supporting materials, properties of supporting materials and their consequences, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, terminal oxidation and energy production, and enzymes, pigments, and biochemical adaptation to environment. The selection is a valuable reference for readers interested in the developments in the processes, methodologies, and approaches in comparative physiology and biochemistry.

Advances in Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Volume 4, presents five papers on the different aspects of comparative physiology. The first two studies deal with movement. The first examines the effects of environmental conditions on the motile behavior of amoebas. The second investigates the mechanisms and coordination of cellular movement. The third study on the endocrine functions of the hypothalamus in the fishes, amphibians, and reptiles provides the comparative endocrinologist with a basis for integrating the state of knowledge on non-mammalian and mammalian function of this organ complex. The fourth study deals with the central and peripheral control of arthropod movements. The final study surveys the comparative physiology of populations of gametes. Aside from providing readers with a comparative vista of reproductive physiology from a unique perspective, it introduces a new hypothesis on the overproduction of gametes commonly found in living organisms — a hypothesis which may have far-reaching consequences for the interpretation of the reproductive process.

Advances in Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Volume 5, presents three papers that cover the different physiological and chemical aspects of biology, from functional morphology at one end to behavior at the other end of the spectrum. As always this serial publication emphasizes comparison, be it within a group of related organisms or related substances or mechanisms throughout the animal kingdom. The first study on the feeding and digestion in the Bivalvia examines both the feeding mechanisms and digestive processes within this class of mollusks, solidly based on functional morphology and biochemistry. The second study on isoenzymes, multiple enzymes, and phylogeny traces the evolutionary relationships between and within groups of important enzyme systems, taking evidence from representatives of the whole animal kingdom. The final paper on the comparative physiology of reproduction in arthropods examines the reproductive mechanisms in a whole phylum. It considers patterns of sexuality, germ cell formation, physiology, mating behavior and the nervous and hormonal factors governing reproduction.