Insect Physiology and Biochemistry


Book Description

Employing the clear, student-friendly style that made previous editions so popular, Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Third Edition presents an engaging and authoritative guide to the latest findings in the dynamic field of insect physiology. The book supplies a comprehensive picture of the current state of the function, development, and reproduction of insects. Expanded and updated, this third edition continues to challenge conventional entomological wisdom with the latest research and analytical interpretations. It will appeal to undergraduate and graduate students and to working scientists in the biological sciences who need to possess a firm knowledge of the broad principles of insect physiology. See What’s New in the Third Edition: New chapters covering biological rhythms and insect symbioses Adds references from the last several years to bring each chapter up to date Provides new review and self-study questions that aid in distinguishing the most important information and concepts References to websites where illustrative materials have been provided by scientists and contains approximately 2,600 citations Twenty-four pages of color illustrations with new illustrations that emphasize genetic and molecular developments in insect biology Update of the rapidly developing area of postembryonic development of insects, especially the role of the juvenile hormone in insect development While this edition provides new information and significant updates, it also maintains all the features that made previous editions so popular, such as citations that enable you to get to the primary literature easily and understand the thinking, experimentation, and techniques that have enabled the current understanding of the physiology of insects. And clear writing with technical terms explained in the text where they occur. With more than 250 illustrations to help explain physiological concepts and important anatomical details, the book remains the most easily accessible guide to key concepts in the field.




Insect Physiology and Biochemistry


Book Description

Expanded and updated, this second edition of a bestselling book challenges conventional entomological wisdom with the latest research and analytical interpretations. Encouraging independent evaluation of the data and allowing for the extrapolation of major concepts across species, this indispensable text establishes a thorough understanding of the




Insect Physiology and Biochemistry


Book Description

Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Fourth Edition presents an engaging and authoritative guide to the latest findings in the dynamic field of insect physiology. It adds three new chapters on the role of the nervous system in behavior; the 'Genomics Revolution' in entomology; and global climate changes which have a major effect on insects.




Physiological Systems in Insects


Book Description

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




Insect Physiology


Book Description

years ago extensive advances have been made in all parts of the subject. Full-sized textbooks have been devoted to it; notably The Principles of Insect Physiology by the present author, the three volume Physiology of the Insecta edited by Morris Rockstein, and Insect Biochemistry by Darcy Gilmour; and articles describing the most recent advances in the physiology and biochemistry of insects appear in the Annual Review of Entomology, in Advances in Insect Physiology and elsewhere. References in this edition have therefore been confined to such textbooks and reviews, to a few recent papers which have not yet become incorporated in this way, and to a limited number of other papers which provide useful starting-points for further reading. I The Integument The key to much of the physiology of insects is to be found in the nature of their cuticle. As was first shown by Haecke1, the cuticle is the product of a single layer of epidermal cells. It is often described as being composed of non-living material; but in fact the epidermal cells give off fine filaments contained within the so-called 'pore­ canals', which run through the substance of the cuticle and often come within less than a micron of the surface. Cuticle Structure As described from stained sections the cuticle consists of two primary layers, the endocuticle which makes up the greater part, and a thin refractile epicuticle on the surface, usually not more than one micron in thickness.




Environmental Physiology and Biochemistry of Insects


Book Description

Of all the zoological classes the insects are the most numerous in species and the most varied in structure. Estimates of the number 18 of species vary from 1 to 10 million, and 10 individuals are es timated to be alive at any given moment. In their evolution, in sects are relatively ancient and, therefore, they have proved to be a phenomenally successful biological design which has survived unchanged in its basic winged form during the last 300 m. y. In sects were the first small animals to colonize the land with full suc cess. Their small size opened many more ecological niches to them and permitted a greater diversification than the vertebrates. What is it about this design that has made insects so successful in habitats stretching from arid deserts to the Arctic and Antarctic and from freshwater brooks to hot springs and salines? Is it due to the adapta bility of their behavior, physiology, and biochemistry to changing environmental conditions? Three features of insects are of particular importance in determin ing their physiological relationship with the environment: their small size, as mentioned above, the impermeability and rigidity of their exoskeleton, and their poikilothermy. Of course, as with any other animals, the insects' success in its environment depends on its ability to maintain its internal state within certain tolerable limits of temperature, osmotic pressure, pH or oxygen concentra tion (homoeostasis).




Biochemistry of Insects


Book Description

Biochemistry of Insects reviews the state of knowledge in insect biochemistry. The book begins by examining the function of carbohydrates in regulating and maintaining the life processes of insects. This is followed by separate chapters on the functional roles of lipids and proteins in insects; and protein synthesis in insects. Subsequent chapters cover the chemistry of insect cuticle; the structure, distribution, and chemistry of insect biochromes; and chemical control of insect behavior. Also discussed are the biochemical aspects of the natural products used by insects in defensive contexts; the reaction of insecticides and related compounds with their targets; detoxification mechanisms in insects; and genetic variation in natural populations. Designed to serve as a basic textbook in field, this volume should be equally useful as an auxiliary text for most relevant courses in insect biology, particularly insect physiology, insect ecology, insect control, and economic entomology. The book should also serve as an important reference source for the advanced student, the research scientist, and the professional entomologist seeking authoritative details of relevant areas of subject matter.




Insect Physiology


Book Description

Years ago extensive advances have been made in all parts of the subject. Full-sized textbooks have been devoted to it; notably The Principles of Insect Physiology by the present author, the three volume Physiology of the Insecta edited by Morris Rockstein, and Insect Biochemistry by Darcy Gilmour; and articles describing the most recent advances in the physiology and biochemistry of insects appear in the Annual Review of Entomology, in Advances in Insect Physiology and elsewhere. References in this edition have therefore been confined to such textbooks and reviews, to a few recent papers which have not yet become incorporated in this way, and to a limited number of other papers which provide useful starting-points for further reading. I The Integument The key to much of the physiology of insects is to be found in the nature of their cuticle. As was first shown by Haecke1, the cuticle is the product of a single layer of epidermal cells. It is often described as being composed of non-living material; but in fact the epidermal cells give off fine filaments contained within the so-called 'pore canals', which run through the substance of the cuticle and often come within less than a micron of the surface. Cuticle Structure As described from stained sections the cuticle consists of two primary layers, the endocuticle which makes up the greater part, and a thin refractile epicuticle on the surface, usually not more than one micron in thickness.




Advances in Insect Physiology


Book Description

Advances in Insect Physiology