Plasmodesmata


Book Description

Plasmodesmata are minuscule plasma corridors between plant cells which are of paramount importance for transport, communication and signalling between cells. These nano-channels are responsible for the integrated action of cells within tissues and for the subdivision of the plant body into working symplast units. This book updates the wealth of new information in this rapidly expanding field. Reputed workers in the field discuss major techniques in plasmodesmatal research and describe recent discoveries on the ultrastructure, the functioning and the role of plasmodesmata in intracellular transport and communication, in cell differentiation, plant development and virus translocation.




Signals and Signal Transduction Pathways in Plants


Book Description

Plants offer exciting opportunities to understand major biological questions, i.e. the regulation of development and morphogenesis. How are changes of the environment, developmental cues, and other signals perceived and transduced in physiological responses? What are the elements of plant signalling pathways and what is their organization? The panoply of molecular tools and techniques as well as the blossoming field of plant genetics are providing an exciting ground for major breakthroughs in unravelling the fundamental mechanisms of plant signalling. The present book establishes a state-of-the-art framework spanning the wide spectrum of perception, signal transduction events and transport processes, including cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation, embryogenesis, and flowering. Moreover, the volume emphasizes the role of the major plant signalling substances known to date (the phytohormones and more recently studied substances) and summarizes what we know on their molecular mechanisms of action. The book emphasizes how the use of molecular technology has made plant signalling processes accessible to experimental test.




Intercellular Communication in Plants


Book Description

Intercellular Communication in Plants provides an overview of intercellular signaling systems, capitalizing on the results of contemporary molecular biology. Many biological phenomena are controlled by intercellular signaling systems, initiated by messenger molecules. For example, intercellular communication channels are thought to be associated with a plant's growth and dormancy development - an important adaptive strategy for the survival and regrowth of temperate perennials. This volume is directed at researchers and professionals in plant biochemistry, physiology, cell biology and molecular biology, in both the academic and industrial sectors.




Physiology and Biochemistry of Plant Cell Walls


Book Description

The plant cell wall plays a vital role in almost every aspect of plant physiology. New techniques in spectroscopy, biophysics and molecular biology have revealed the extraordinary complexity of its molecular architecture and just how important this structure is in the control of plant growth and development. The Second Edition of this accessible and integrated textbook has been revised and updated throughout. As well as focusing on the structure and function of plant cell walls the book also looks at the applications of this research. It discusses how plant cell walls can be exploited by the biotechnology industry and some of the main challenges for future research. Key topics include: architecture and skeletal functions of the wall; cell-wall formation; control of cell growth; role in intracellular transport; interactions with other organisms; cell-wall degradation; biotechnological applications of cell-walls; role in diet and health. This textbook provides a clear, well illustrated introduction to the physiology and biochemistry of plant cell walls which will be invaluable to upper level undergraduate and post graduate students of plant physiology, plant pathology, plant biotechnology and biochemistry.




Intercellular Communication in Plants: Studies on Plasmodesmata


Book Description

This Volume attempts to summarise and integrate a field of study in its entirety: the nature of plasmodesmata, and the part these inter cellular connections play in the life of the plant. Except in the all embracing early reviews of the pre-electron microscope era, there has been a tendency for the subject to be approached from disparate points of view: plant physiologists, developmental biologists, biophysicists, virologists and cytologists all contributing to the corpus of knowledge, but often without a full appreciation of each others' goals and probl ems, and sometimes misinterpreting each others' findings. In June 1975 a group of about 40 specialists in these various disciplines, all with a common interest in intercellular communication in plants, met for two days, presented papers, talked, argued, and in general pooled their know ledge. Out of a synthesis of manuscripts and discussions there has emerged, by an editorial process of elimination of unnecessary dupli cation and insertions to ensure completeness of coverage, the present book - not so much a straight record of a conference, as a Monograph based on the proceedings. All of the Chapters are reviews and most include hitherto unpublished data or theoretical treatments.










Plasmodesmata


Book Description

This fully updated book aims to facilitate the study of the nanochannels that connect plant cells, known as plasmodesmata, and to instigate new research that will further advance our knowledge of these structures. Beginning with the general structural composition and regulation of plasmodesmata as well as their role in plant development and disease, the volume continues with chapters exploring plasmodesmata architectures and distribution in cell interfaces, approaches to dissect plasmodesmata composition, protocols to quantify changes in plasmodesmata permeability using fluorescent tracers and mobile proteins, as well as a section with protocols that contribute to plasmodesmata research but fall outside the previous classifications. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Plasmodesmata: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as a vital guide for all plant scientists, both novice and expert, especially those studying the intricacies of cell-to-cell communication pathways.




Communication in Plants


Book Description

Plant neurobiology is a newly emerging field of plant sciences. It covers signalling and communication at all levels of biological organization – from molecules up to ecological communities. In this book, plants are presented as intelligent and social organisms with complex forms of communication and information processing. Authors from diverse backgrounds such as molecular and cellular biology, electrophysiology, as well as ecology treat the most important aspects of plant communication, including the plant immune system, abilities of plants to recognize self, signal transduction, receptors, plant neurotransmitters and plant neurophysiology. Further, plants are able to recognize the identity of herbivores and organize the defence responses accordingly. The similarities in animal and plant neuronal/immune systems are discussed too. All these hidden aspects of plant life and behaviour will stimulate further intense investigations in order to understand the communicative plants in their whole complexity.




Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biology of 1-3 Beta Glucans and Related Polysaccharides


Book Description

Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biology of 1-3 Beta Glucans and Related Polysaccharides presents a comprehensive, systematic and authoritative survey of information about a family of chemically related, but functionally diverse, naturally occurring polysaccharides--the (1-3)-glucans. International contributors describe the chemical and physicochemical properties of these glucans and their derivatives and the molecular biological and structural aspects of the enzymes involved in their formation and breakdown. A detailed analysis of their physiological roles in the various biological situations in which they are found will be provided. Additionally, evolutionary relationships among the family of these glucans will be described. - Topics of medical relevance include detailing the glucans' interactions with the immune system and research for cancer therapy applications - Web resource links allow scientists to explore additional beta glucan research - Separate indexes divided into Species and Subject for enhanced searchability