Molecular Physiology And Evolution Of Insect Digestive Systems

This book provides a unique blend of data on insect life spans, physiology, enzymology and other molecular features associated with digestion and nutrient absorption to enrich the knowledge on insects and to disclose putative molecular targets for the development of new insect control technologies and for improving insect raising procedures to be used as food and feed. With this aim, the book overviews the types of diets consumed by insects, describing their chemical components demanding digestion and discusses the evolutionary selective pressures on insects associated with feeding. Digestive enzymes are classified and detailed according to their activity on substrates and their evolutionary protein families. The technical details on how to obtain reliable enzymological parameters are discussed. The book reviews the structural changes in enzymes associated with the adaptation of insects to new diets and in avoiding natural plant inhibitors. Midgut features that enhance digestive and nutrient absorption efficiency and their underlying molecular mechanisms are described regarding insects pertaining to key points in evolution. Evolutionary trends of the mechanisms of digestion and nutrient absorption are discussed.

This book provides a unique blend of data on insect life spans, physiology, enzymology and other molecular features associated with digestion and nutrient absorption to enrich the knowledge on insects and to disclose putative molecular targets for the development of new insect control technologies and for improving insect raising procedures to be used as food and feed. With this aim, the book overviews the types of diets consumed by insects, describing their chemical components demanding digestion and discusses the evolutionary selective pressures on insects associated with feeding. Digestive enzymes are classified and detailed according to their activity on substrates and their evolutionary protein families. The technical details on how to obtain reliable enzymological parameters are discussed. The book reviews the structural changes in enzymes associated with the adaptation of insects to new diets and in avoiding natural plant inhibitors. Midgut features that enhance digestive and nutrient absorption efficiency and their underlying molecular mechanisms are described regarding insects pertaining to key points in evolution. Evolutionary trends of the mechanisms of digestion and nutrient absorption are discussed.

The publication of the extensive seven-volume work Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science provided a complete reference encompassing important developments and achievements in modern insect science. One of the most swiftly moving areas in entomological and comparative research is molecular biology, and this volume, Insect Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is designed for those who desire a comprehensive yet concise work on important aspects of this topic. This volume contains ten fully revised or rewritten chapters from the original series as well as five completely new chapters on topics such as insect immunology, insect genomics, RNAi, and molecular biology of circadian rhythms and circadian behavior. The topics included are key to an understanding of insect development, with emphasis on the cuticle, digestive properties, and the transport of lipids; extensive and integrated chapters on cytochrome P450s; and the role of transposable elements in the developmental processes as well as programmed cell death. This volume will be of great value to senior investigators, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and advanced undergraduate research students. It can also be used as a reference for graduate courses and seminars on the topic. Chapters will also be valuable to the applied biologist or entomologist, providing the requisite understanding necessary for probing the more applied research areas related to insect control. Topics specially selected by the editor-in-chief of the original major reference work Fully revised and new contributions bring together the latest research in the rapidly moving fields of insect molecular biology and insect biochemistry, including coverage of development, physiology, immunity and proteomics Full-color provides readers with clear, useful illustrations to highlight important research findings

Physiological Systems in Insects, Fourth Edition explores why insects have become the dominant animals on the planet. Sections describe the historical investigations that have led us to our current understanding of insect systems. Integrated within a basic physiological framework are modern molecular approaches that provide a glimpse of the genetic and evolutionary frameworks that testify to the unity of life on earth. This updated edition describes advances that have occurred in our understanding of hormone action, metamorphosis, and reproduction, along with new sections on the role of microbiomes, insecticide action and its metabolism, and a chapter on genetics, genomics and epigenetic systems. The book represents a collaborative effort by two internationally known insect physiologists who have instructed graduate courses in insect physiology. As such, it is the ideal resource for entomologists and those in other fields who may require knowledge of insect systems. Presents updated information on key physiological principles Covers detailed and instructive figures for visual enhancement Provides flowing text without the interruption of citations Includes evolutionary considerations throughout, also providing a discussion on the implications of molecular techniques and discoveries Encourages further reading with a complete bibliography at end of each chapter

The field of insect nutritional ecology has been defined by how insects deal with nutritional and non-nutritional compounds, and how these compounds influence their biology in evolutionary time. In contrast, Insect Bioecology and Nutrition for Integrated Pest Management presents these entomological concepts within the framework of integrated pest m

The publication of the extensive seven-volume work Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science provided a complete reference encompassing important developments and achievements in modern insect science. One of the most swiftly moving areas in entomological and comparative research is molecular biology, and this volume, Insect Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is designed for those who desire a comprehensive yet concise work on important aspects of this topic. This volume contains ten fully revised or rewritten chapters from the original series as well as five completely new chapters on topics such as insect immunology, insect genomics, RNAi, and molecular biology of circadian rhythms and circadian behavior. The topics included are key to an understanding of insect development, with emphasis on the cuticle, digestive properties, and the transport of lipids; extensive and integrated chapters on cytochrome P450s; and the role of transposable elements in the developmental processes as well as programmed cell death. This volume will be of great value to senior investigators, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and advanced undergraduate research students. It can also be used as a reference for graduate courses and seminars on the topic. Chapters will also be valuable to the applied biologist or entomologist, providing the requisite understanding necessary for probing the more applied research areas related to insect control. Topics specially selected by the editor-in-chief of the original major reference work Fully revised and new contributions bring together the latest research in the rapidly moving fields of insect molecular biology and insect biochemistry, including coverage of development, physiology, immunity and proteomics Full-color provides readers with clear, useful illustrations to highlight important research findings

Concepts of Biology is designed for the single-semester introduction to biology course for non-science majors, which for many students is their only college-level science course. As such, this course represents an important opportunity for students to develop the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to make informed decisions as they continue with their lives. Rather than being mired down with facts and vocabulary, the typical non-science major student needs information presented in a way that is easy to read and understand. Even more importantly, the content should be meaningful. Students do much better when they understand why biology is relevant to their everyday lives. For these reasons, Concepts of Biology is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand.We also strive to show the interconnectedness of topics within this extremely broad discipline. In order to meet the needs of today's instructors and students, we maintain the overall organization and coverage found in most syllabi for this course. A strength of Concepts of Biology is that instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Concepts of Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand--and apply--key concepts.