Evolutionary Pathways And Enigmatic Algae

For the first time a book is available devoted to cellular evolution and to the biology of Cyanidium and other enigmatic cells. Twenty international experts present their views and reviews, postulating new theories on compartmental (direct filiation) eukaryogenesis, discussing the endosymbiotic hypothesis, and providing conceptions on molecular RNA and protein sequences of genes for phylogenetic applications. The book contains exclusive reports on additional species (newly discovered) of the Cyanidium group. Special attention is given to the red algae and other enigmatic/unicellular algae including Nanochlorum eucaryotum (a green alga with minimal eukaryotic characteristics). The mystifying taxon of Glaucocystophyta (containing Cyanophora paradoxa -- the endosymbiotic `guinea pig' with cyanelles/host special relationships) is examined. For biologists, post/graduate students in biology, and anyone seriously interested in algae, evolution, cytology, biochemistry and questions of nucleated cell differentiation or cellular endosymbiosis.

Modern methods and approaches, such as the analysis of molecular sequences to infer evolutionary relationships among organisms, have provided vast new sets of data to further our understanding ofliving organisms, but there remain enigmas in the biological world that will keep scientists working and thinking for decades. Microorganisms by virtue of their small size and almost unbounded diversity provide ample examples of intriguing mysteries that are being challenged with all of the techniques the modern scientific arsenal can provide. One whole arena of this battle to resolve puzzling mysteries about various microorganisms is the almost unbelievable ability of many micro-organisms to live in extreme environments. Whether the challenge is extreme heat, cold, pressure, hyper salinity, alkalinity or acidity, some micro-organisms live now where no life might seem possible. This fascinating state of affairs is the context for this present volume edited by Joseph Seckbach. This Volume is a compilation of many of the especially interesting questions and biological challenges that arise in the consideration of microorganisms in general and the extremophiles in particular.

This interdisciplinary book consists of the proceedings of the Alexander Ivanovich Oparin lOOth Anniversary Conference, The Third Trieste Conference on Chemical Evolution, which took place at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics from 29 August till 2 September, 1994. A general overview of Oparin's life and work is followed by a review of Alfonso Herera, another pioneer in the studies of the origin of life. The subject matter is organized in ten sections corresponding to various aspects of our current understanding of the subject that was initiated by Oparin. These subjects were covered by fifty three speakers. There were sixty seven participants from a wide geographical distribution; twenty seven countries were represented. We have included the invited lecture of Professor Igor Kulaev, who was unable to be present at the conference for reasons beyond his control. The conference was generously supported by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, the Commission of the European Communities, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the International Centre for Science and High Technology, and UNESCO. Cyril Ponnamperuma, University of Maryland, U.S.A. Julian Chela-Flores, ICTP, Italy, and IDEA, Venezuela. xi FOREWORD As this volume was going to press we learnt of the untimely death of Cyril Ponnamperuma who died of cardiac arrest on December 20, 1994.

Leading researchers in the area of the origin and evolution of life in the universe contributed to Chemical Evolution: Physics of the Origin and Evolution of Life. This volume provides a review of this interdisciplinary field. In 35 chapters many aspects of the origin of life are discussed by 90 authors, with particular emphasis on the early paleontological record: physical, chemical, biological, and informational aspects of life's origin, instrumentation in exobiology and system exploration; the search for habitable planets and extraterrestrial intelligent radio signals. This book contains the proceedings of the Fourth Trieste Conference on Chemical Evolution that took place in September 1995, in which scientists from a wide geographical distribution joined in a Memorial to Cyril Ponnamperuma, who was a pioneer in the field of chemical evolution, the origin of life, and exobiology, and also initiated the Trieste Conferences on Chemical Evolution and the Origin of Life. This fourth Conference was therefore dedicated to his memory. Audience: Graduate students and researchers in the many areas of basic, earth, and life sciences that contribute to the study of chemical evolution and the origin of life.

r ed Algae in Genome Age book most people reading this book have childhood memories about being enthralled at the beach with those rare and mysterious living forms we knew as seaweeds. We were fascinated at that time by their range of red hues and textures, and most of all, their exotic beauty. t o a scientist, red algae represent much more than apparent features. t heir complex forms have attracted morphologists for centuries; their intricate life cycles have brought more than one surprise to plant biologists familiar only with ferns and fowering plants; their unusual tastes have been appreciated for mill- nia, and their valuable chemical constituents have been exploited for nearly as long, most recently by biotech companies; their diversity in marine, freshwater, and t- restrial environments has offered centuries of engaging entertainment for botanists eager to arrange them in orderly classifcation systems; still, the red algae continue to teach us how many more challenges need to be overcome in order to understand their biodiversity, biological functions, and evolutionary histories.

This collection of essays is devoted to algae that are unexpectedly found in harsh habitats. The authors explain how these algae thrive in various temperature ranges, extreme pH values, salt solutions, UV radiation, dryness, heavy metals, anaerobic niches, various levels of illumination, and hydrostatic pressure. Not only do the essays provide clues about life on the edges of the Earth, but possibly elsewhere in the universe as well.

Algal World has been carefully written and edited with an interdisciplinary appeal and aims to bring all aspects of Algae together in one volume. The 22 chapters are divided into two different parts which have been authored by eminent researchers from across the world. The first part, Biology of Algae, contains 10 chapters dealing with the general characteristics, classification and description of different groups such as Blue Green Algae, Green Algae, Brown Algae, Red Algae, Diatoms, Xanthophyceae, Dinophyceae, etc. In , it has two important chapters covering Algae in Extreme Environments and Life Histories and Growth Forms in Green Algae. The second part, Applied Phycology, contains 12 chapters dealing with the more applied aspects ranging from Algal Biotechnology, Biofuel, Phycoremediation, Bioactive Compounds, Biofertilizer, Fatty Acids, Harmful Algal Blooms, Industrial Applications of Seaweeds, Nanotechnology, Phylogenomics and Algal culture Techniques, etc.