Annual Plant Reviews, Flowering and its Manipulation


Book Description

The flowering plants now dominate the terrestrial ecosystems of theplanet, and there are good reasons for supposing that the floweritself has been a major contributing factor to the spread of theAngiosperms. The flowers of higher plants not only contain theorgans of plant reproduction but are of fundamental importance ingiving rise to fruits and seeds which constitute a major componentof the human diet. This volume opens with a chapter describing a model for theevolution of the Angiosperm flower. Chapters 2 to 5 describe thecore development of the flower and include floral induction, floralpattering and organ initiation, floral shape and size, andinflorescence architecture. Chapters 6 to 8 focus on morespecialised aspects of floral development: monoecy, cytoplasmicmale sterility and flowering in perennials. Chapters 9 and 10address more functional aspects: flower colour and scent. The bookconcludes, appropriately, with a chapter on flowersenescence. Applied aspects are stressed wherever appropriate, and the book isdirected at researchers and professionals in plant genetics,developmental and molecular biology. The volume has been designed to complement an earlier volume in ourAnnual Plant Reviews series, O'Neill, S. D. and Roberts, J. A.(2002) Plant Reproduction.




Annual Plant Reviews, Control of Primary Metabolism in Plants


Book Description

The ability to control the rates of metabolic processes in response to changes in the internal or external environment is an indispensable attribute of living cells that must have arisen with life’s origin. This adaptability is necessary for conserving the stability of the intracellular environment which is, in turn, essential for maintaining an efficient functional state. The advent of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics has revolutionised the study of plant development and is now having a significant impact on the study of plant metabolism and its control. In the last few years, significant advances have been made, with the elucidation of enzyme gene families and the identification of new proteinaceous and allosteric regulators. The first part of this volume is devoted to generic aspects of metabolic control, with chapters on the key control points in pathways. Part Two considers the control of specific pathways, with detailed descriptions (including structures) and discussions of the regulation of these pathways, particularly in terms of the enzymology. The book is directed at researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology and cell biology.




Annual Plant Reviews, Plant Hormone Signaling


Book Description

Plant growth is regulated by developmental programmes that can be modified by environmental cues acting through endogenous signaling molecules including plant hormones. This volume provides an overview of the biosynthesis, catabolism, perception and signal transduction of the individual hormone classes, followed by chapters on hormone distribution and transport, and the roles of hormone signaling in specific developmental processes. Particular attention is paid to the regulation of hormone signaling by environmental and developmental cues, sites of hormone metabolism and action, and interactions between hormone signaling pathways. The book is directed at researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry and molecular biology.




Annual Plant Reviews, The Gibberellins


Book Description

First discovered as fungal metabolites, the gibberellins were recognised as plant hormones over 50 years ago. They regulate reproductive development in all vascular plants, while their role in flowering plants has broadened to include also the regulation of growth and other developmental processes. This timely book covers the substantial and impressive recent advances in our understanding of the gibberellins and their roles in plant development, including the biosynthesis, inactivation, transport, perception and signal transduction of these important hormones. An introductory chapter traces the history of gibberellin research, describing the many discoveries that form the basis for the recent progress. The exciting emerging evidence for the interaction of gibberellin signalling with that of the other hormones is critically evaluated. The occurrence of gibberellins in fungal, bacterial and lower plant species is also discussed, with emphasis on evolution. Manipulation of gibberellin metabolism and signal transduction through chemical or genetic intervention has been an important aspect of crop husbandry for many years. The reader is presented with important information on the advances in applying gibberellin research in agriculture and horticulture. Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 49: The Gibberellins is an important resource for plant geneticists and biochemists, as well as agricultural and horticultural research workers, advanced students of plant science and university lecturers in related disciplines. It is an essential addition to the shelves of university and research institute libraries and agricultural and horticultural institutions teaching and researching plant science.




Annual Plant Reviews, The Moss Physcomitrella patens


Book Description

Commencing with a chapter which places Physcomitrella into phylogenetic position, this important publication then covers the following major topics. Population genetics, genome, transcripts and metabolomics, gene targeting, hormones, small RNAs, tip growth, chloroplasts, sporophyte development, desiccation and oxidative stress, sugar metabolism, and pathogenesis. With chapters contributed by many of the World's leading workers in the area, this landmark book is essential reading for all those studying plant evolutionary biology, genomics, molecular and cell biology and genetics.




Annual Plant Reviews, Biology of the Plant Cuticle


Book Description

Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 23 A much clearer picture is now emerging of the fine structure of the plant cuticle and its surface, the composition of cuticular waxes and the biosynthetic pathways leading to them. Studies assessing the impact of UV radiation on plant life have emphasized the role of the cuticle and underlying epidermis as optical filters for solar radiation. The field concerned with the diffusive transport of lipophilic organic non-electrolytes across the plant cuticle has reached a state of maturity. A new paradigm has recently been proposed for the diffusion of polar compounds and water across the cuticle. In the context of plant ecophysiology, cuticular transpiration can now be placed in the perspective of whole-leaf water relations. New and unexpected roles have been assigned to the cuticle in plant development and pollen-stigma interactions. Finally, much progress has been made in understanding the cuticle as a specific and extraordinary substrate for the interactions of the plant with microorganisms, fungi and insects. This volume details the major developments of recent years in this important interdisciplinary area. It is directed at researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, plant physiology, plant ecology, phytopathology and environmental microbiology, in both the academic and industrial sectors.




Annual Plant Reviews, Plant Systems Biology


Book Description

Plant Systems Biology is an excellent new addition to theincreasingly well-known and respected Annual Plant Reviews.Split into two parts, this title offers the reader: A fundamental conceptual framework for Systems Biologyincluding Network Theory The progress achieved for diverse model organisms: Prokaryotes, C. elegans and Arabidopsis The diverse sources of “omic” information necessaryfor a systems understanding of plants Insights into the software tools developed for systemsbiology Interesting case studies regarding applications includingnitrogen-use, flowering-time and root development Ecological and evolutionary considerations regarding livingsystems This volume captures the cutting edge of systems biologyresearch and aims to be an introductory material for undergraduateand graduate students as well as plant and agricultural scientists,molecular biologists, geneticists and microbiologists. It alsoserves as a foundation in the biological aspects of the field forinterested computer scientists. Libraries in all universities andresearch establishments where biological and agricultural sciencesare studied and taught and integrated with Computer Sciences shouldhave copies of this important volume on their shelves.




Annual Plant Reviews, Plant Polysaccharides


Book Description

Plant Polysaccharides, an exceptional new volume in Wiley-Blackwell’s successful Annual Plant Reviews series, covers the polysaccharides and proteins that form the fundamental architecture of the plant cell wall, and the genes that encode the cellular machinery that synthesizes them. The volume focuses on the evolution of the many families of genes whose products are required to make a particular kind of polysaccharide, bringing attention to the specific biochemical properties of the proteins to the level of kinds of sugar linkages they make. Beautifully illustrated in full colour throughout, this exceptional new volume provides cutting edge up-to-date information on such important topics as cell wall biology, composition and biosynthesis, glycosyltransferases, hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins, enzymatic modification of plant cell wall polysaccharides, glycan engineering in transgenic plants, and polysaccharide nanobiotechnology. Drawing together some of the world’s leading experts in these areas, the editor, Peter Ulvskov, has provided a landmark volume that is essential reading for plant and crop scientists, biochemists, molecular biologists and geneticists. All libraries in universities and research establishments where plant sciences, agriculture, biological, biochemical and molecular sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this important volume.




Annual Plant Reviews, Plant Mitochondria


Book Description

This long-awaited second edition covers the major changes that have occurred in the field over the last decade Completely revised with the most up-to-date research and including brand new chapters, Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 50: Plant Mitochondria, 2nd Edition presents the multifaceted roles of mitochondria in plants. The book starts with a short history of plant mitochondrial research; discusses how coevolution shaped plant mitochondrial gene expression; explains control of number, shape, size, and motility of mitochondria; delves into stress responses and roles in stress alleviation in mitochondrial biochemistry; covers the damage repair pathway of the Calvin-Benson cycle; and more. Containing sections written by many of the world’s leading researchers in this area, this book brings together and reviews for the first time many recent advances. It offers chapters on: Bioblasts, Cytomikrosomen & Chondriosomes; The Crosstalk Between Genomes; The Dynamic Chondriome; Metal Homeostasis in Plant Mitochondria; RNA Metabolism and Transcript Regulation; Mitochondrial Regulation and Signalling in the Photosynthetic Cell; Mitochondrial Biochemistry; Ecophysiology of Plant Respiration; Photorespiration; and Mitochondria and Cell Death. Annual Plant Reviews, Volume 50: Plant Mitochondria, 2nd Edition is an extremely important and timely book that will be of great use and interest to plant scientists, cell and molecular biologists, and biochemists.




Annual Plant Reviews, The Evolution of Plant Form


Book Description

The Evolution of Plant Form is an exceptional new volume in Wiley-Blackwell’s highly successful and well established Annual Plant Reviews. Written by recognised and respected researchers, this book delivers a comprehensive guide to the diverse range of scientific perspectives in land plant evolution, from morphological evolution to the studies of the mechanisms of evolutionary change and the tools with which they can be studied. This title distinguishes itself from others in plant evolution through its synthesis of these ideas, which then provides a framework for future studies and exciting new developments in this field. The first chapter explores the origins of the major morphological innovations in land plants and the following chapters provide an exciting, in depth analysis of the morphological evolution of land plant groups including bryophytes, lycophytes, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The second half of the book focuses on evolutionary studies in land plants including genomics, adaptation, development and phenotypic plasticity. The final chapter provides a summary and perspective for future studies in the evolution of plant form. The Evolution of Plant Form provides essential information for plant scientists and evolutionary biologists. All libraries and research establishments, where biological and agricultural sciences are studied and taught, will find this important work a vital addition to their shelves.