Plant Metabolism


Book Description

In Plant Metabolism: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field present the latest methods on quantitative analysis of plant metabolism. The methods focus on measurements, analyses and simulations of molecules, fluxes, and ultimately entire metabolic pathways and networks. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, reagents, or software, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Plant Metabolism: Methods and Protocols seeks to benefit scientists ranging from plant biology, metabolic engineering, and biotechnology.




Plant Secondary Metabolism


Book Description

Life has evolved as a unified system; no organism exists similar role also has been suggested for fatty acids from alone, but each is in intimate contact with other organisms cyanolipids. Nonprotein amino acids, cyanogenic glyco and its environment. Historically, it was easier for workers sides, and the non-fatty-acid portion of cyanolipids also are in various disciplines to delimit artificially their respective incorporated into primary metabolites during germination. areas of research, rather than attempt to understand the entire Secondary metabolites of these structural types are accumu system of living organisms. This was a pragmatic and neces lated in large quantities in the seeds of several plant groups sary way to develop an understanding for the various parts. where they probably fulfill an additional function as deter We are now at a point, however, where we need to investi rents to general predation. gate those things common to the parts and, specifically, those The second type of relationship involves interaction of things that unify the parts. The fundamental aspects of many plants with other organisms and with their environment. Bio of these interactions are chemical in nature. Plants constitute logical interactions must be viewed in the light of evolution an essential part of all life systems; phytochemistry provides ary change and the coadaptation, or perhaps coevolution, of a medium for linking several fields of study.




Plant Metabolism and Biotechnology


Book Description

Various plant metabolites are useful for human life, and the induction and reduction of these metabolites using modern biotechnical technique is of enormous potential important especially in the fields of agriculture and health. Plant Metabolism and Biotechnology describes the biosynthetic pathways of plant metabolites, their function in plants, and some applications for biotechnology. Topics covered include: biosynthesis and metabolism of starch and sugars lipid biosynthesis symbiotic nitrogen fixation sulfur metabolism nucleotide metabolism purine alkaloid metabolism nicotine biosynthesis terpenoid biosynthesis benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis monoterpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis flavonoid biosynthesis pigment biosynthesis: anthocyanins, betacyanins and carotenoids metabolomics in biotechnology Plant Metabolism and Biotechnology is an essential guide to this important field for researchers and students of biochemistry, plant biology, metabolic engineering, biotechnology, food science, agriculture, and medicine.




Plant Metabolism


Book Description

Plant Metabolism, Second Edition focuses on the processes, principles, and methodologies involved in the metabolism of higher plants. The book first elaborates on cell structure and function, enzymes, and catabolism. Discussions focus on the control of respiration, conservation of the energy liberated in respiration, chemical pathways of respiration, enzymes in the living cell, prosthetic groups and coenzymes, protein nature of enzymes, general structure of plant cells, and osmotic behavior of cells. The manuscript then tackles anabolism and secondary plant products. Topics include phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, isoprenoid compounds, assimilation of nitrogen and sulfur, synthesis of sucrose and polysaccharides, location of the photosynthetic apparatus, influence of external factors on the rate of photosynthesis, and general nature of photosynthesis. The text takes a look at growth and differentiation, absorption, secretion, and translocation, secondary plant products, and regulation of metabolism. The publication is a valuable source of data for plant science experts and researchers interested in plant metabolism.




Metabolic Engineering of Plant Secondary Metabolism


Book Description

Plant secondary metabolism is an economically important source of fine chemicals, such as drugs, insecticides, dyes, flavours, and fragrances. Moreover, important traits of plants such as taste, flavour, smell, colour, or resistance against pests and diseases are also related to secondary metabolites. The genetic modification of plants is feasible nowadays. What does the possibility of engineering plant secondary metabolite pathways mean? In this book, firstly a general introduction is given on plant secondary metabolism, followed by an overview of the possible approaches that could be used to alter secondary metabolite pathways. In a series of chapters from various authorities in the field, an overview is given of the state of the art for important groups of secondary metabolites. No books have been published on this topic so far. This book will thus be a unique source of information for all those involved with plants as chemical factories of fine chemicals and those involved with the quality of food and ornamental plants. It will be useful in teaching graduate courses in the field of metabolic engineering in plants.




Plant Physiology, Development and Metabolism


Book Description

This textbook is second edition of popular textbook of plant physiology and metabolism. The first edition of this book gained noteworthy acceptance (more than 4.9 Million downloads) among graduate and masters level students and faculty world over, with many Universities recommending it as a preferred reading in their syllabi. The second edition provides up to date and latest information on all the topics covered while also including the basic concepts. The text is supported with clear, easy to understand Figures, Tables, Box items, summaries, perspectives, thought-provoking multiple-choice questions, latest references for further reading, glossary and a detailed subject index. Authors have also added a number of key concepts, discoveries in the form of boxed- items in each chapter. Plant physiology deals with understanding the various processes, functioning, growth, development and survival of plants in normal and stressful conditions. The study involves analysis of the above-stated processes at molecular, sub-cellular, cellular, tissue and plant level in relation with its surrounding environment. Plant physiology is an experimental science, and its concepts are very rapidly changing through applications from chemical biology, cytochemical, fluorometric, biochemical and molecular techniques, and metabolomic and proteomic analysis. Consequently, this branch of modern plant biology has experienced significant generation of new information in most areas. The newer concepts so derived are being also rapidly put into applications in crop physiology. Novel molecules, such nanourea, nitric oxide, gaseous signalling molecules like hydrogen sulphide, are rapidly finding significant applications among crop plants. This textbook, therefore, brings forth an inclusive coverage of the field contained in 35 chapters, divided into five major units. It serves as essential reading material for post-graduate and undergraduate students of botany, plant sciences, plant physiology, agriculture, forestry, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences. This textbook is also of interest to teachers, researchers, scientists, and policymakers.




Hormone Metabolism and Signaling in Plants


Book Description

Plant Hormones: Biosynthesis and Mechanisms of Action is based on research funded by the Chinese government's National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). This book brings a fresh understanding of hormone biology, particularly molecular mechanisms driving plant hormone actions. With growing understanding of hormone biology comes new outlooks on how mankind values and utilizes the built-in potential of plants for improvement of crops in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. This book is a comprehensive description of all major plant hormones: how they are synthesized and catabolized; how they are perceived by plant cells; how they trigger signal transduction; how they regulate gene expression; how they regulate plant growth, development and defense responses; and how we measure plant hormones. This is an exciting time for researchers interested in plant hormones. Plants rely on a diverse set of small molecule hormones to regulate every aspect of their biological processes including development, growth, and adaptation. Since the discovery of the first plant hormone auxin, hormones have always been the frontiers of plant biology. Although the physiological functions of most plant hormones have been studied for decades, the last 15 to 20 years have seen a dramatic progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hormone actions. The publication of the whole genome sequences of the model systems of Arabidopsis and rice, together with the advent of multidisciplinary approaches has opened the door to successful experimentation on plant hormone actions. - Offers a comprehensive description of all major plant hormones including the recently discovered strigolactones and several peptide hormones - Contains a chapter describing how plant hormones regulate stem cells - Offers a fresh understanding of hormone biology, particularly molecular mechanisms driving plant hormone actions - Discusses the built-in potential of plants for improvement of crops in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner




Alkaloid Biology and Metabolism in Plants


Book Description

* This book is designed for the use of the advanced student and professional worker interested in the international scientific community, particularly those in the fields of agronomy, agricultural sciences, botany, biological sciences, natural products chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry and bio chemistry. The purpose is to inform the reader about significant advances in the biology and metabolism of alkaloids in plants. Since alkaloids are generally referred to as "secondary metabolites," the reactions discussed are not, for the most part, involved with the main metabolic pathways. The reactions that we are interested in are pathways that have been developed for the formation of these secondary metabolites, using as their starting mole cules one of the compounds produced via a main or primary metabolic path way. The primary metabolic pathways are common to all plants, indeed to most living organisms, whereas the highly specialized branches leading to alkaloid formation are found in only about 10 to 20 % of the known plants. The reason for these diversities in plant metabolism is not clear; however, it seems likely that the formation of highly individualized and specialized pathways resulted as a response to the pressure of natural selection. Nevertheless, the genetic peculiarity that controls alkaloid production has provided many extremely interesting problems for scientists and consti tutes convincing evidence of nature's superior ability in biochemistry.




Cellular and Subcellular Localization in Plant Metabolism


Book Description

Morphological differences between cells and the exis tence of morphologically distinct particles have been examined since cells were first recognized. Each techno logical advance in detection and visualization has led to the description of different organelles and cell types. Basic biochemical processes in cells were recognized and are now weIl understood. It is only recently however, that research has expanded to include the specific meta bolic function of the specialized cell types and organelles. In some cases metabolic roles were recognized when the organelles were first described, e.g., chloroplasts, mito chondria, etc., in others the metabolic role remains unknown. Chemical and biochemical specialization in plants or their organelles is equally challenging. Although biochemists have laboured intensivelyon many isolated plant organelles, it is only recently that technical advances have permitted the examination of specialization in the metabolism of cell types. This area of research, although under intensive investigation in some areas of plant metabolism, is still in its infancy. Further developments in methodology or in production of specific genetic lines of plants will greatly improve our understanding of the specialization of different tissues and cell types. This volume describes the current status in the dis cipline as presented in a Symposium on the Cellular and Subcellular Specialization in Plant Metabolism during the Annual Meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America, at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., on August 10-14, 1981.




Plant Secondary Metabolism Engineering


Book Description

This book presents detailed practical information on important methods used in the engineering of plant secondary metabolism pathways and the acquisition of essential knowledge in performing this activity, including important advances and emerging strategies.