Within the past two decades, extraordinary new functions for the nucleolus have begun to appear, giving the field a new vitality and generating renewed excitement and interest. These new discoveries include both newly-discovered functions and aspects of its conventional role. The Nucleolus is divided into three parts: nucleolar structure and organization, the role of the nucleolus in ribosome biogenesis, and novel functions of the nucleolus.
Black & white print. Concepts of Biology is designed for the typical introductory biology course for nonmajors, covering standard scope and sequence requirements. The text includes interesting applications and conveys the major themes of biology, with content that is meaningful and easy to understand. The book is designed to demonstrate biology concepts and to promote scientific literacy.
All protists, fungi, animals, and plants on Earth are eukaryotes. Their cells possess membrane-bound organelles including a nucleus and mitochondria, distinct cytoskeletal features, and a unique chromosome structure that permits them to undergo mitosis or meiosis. The emergence of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic ancestors about 2 billion years ago was a pivotal evolutionary transition in the history of life on Earth. But the change was abrupt, and few clues exist as to the nature of the intermediate stages. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology examines evolutionary scenarios that likely led to the emergence and rapid evolution of eukaryotes. Contributors review the mechanisms, timing, and consequences of endosymbiosis, as well as molecular and biochemical characteristics of archaea and bacteria that may have contributed to the first eukaryotic lineage. They explore all of the available evidence, including clues from the fossil record and comparative genomics, and formulate ideas about the origin of genomic characteristics (e.g., chromatin and introns) and specific cellular features (e.g., the endomembrane system) in eukaryotes. Topics such as the origins of multicellularity and sex are also covered. This volume includes discussion of multiple evolutionary models that warrant serious attention, as well as lively debate on some of the most contentious topics in the field. It will thus be fascinating reading for evolutionary biologists, cell and molecular biologists, paleobiologists, and all who are interested in the history of life on Earth.
The Principles of Biology sequence (BI 211, 212 and 213) introduces biology as a scientific discipline for students planning to major in biology and other science disciplines. Laboratories and classroom activities introduce techniques used to study biological processes and provide opportunities for students to develop their ability to conduct research.
This book includes the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Study Institute held at Washington State University, Pullman, Washington from July 26 until August 6, 1982. Although genetic engineering in eukaryotes is best developed in yeast and mammalian cells, the reader will find that some emphasis has been put on plant systems. Indeed, it was our position that the development of plant cell genetic transformation would benefit from the interactions between a comparatively smaller number of fungal and animal cell experts and a larger number of plant cell specialists representing various aspects of plant molecular genetic research. On the other hand, it is clear that the ultimate achievements of plant genetic engineering will have a tremendous ~pact on, among other things, food production without generating the problems of ethics encountered when one contempla-tes the genetic modification of human beings. Therefore, this slight bias in favor of the plant kingdom simply reflects our belief that a "second green revolution" will benefit mankind to a greater extent than any other kind of genetic engine ering. The keynote lecture of the Institute was delivered by Dr. John Slaughter, Director of the National Science Foundation, whom we deeply thank for his words of encouragement and commitment to the genetic manipulation of plants.
Written by respected researchers, this is an excellent account of the eukaryotic cell cycle that is suitable for graduate and postdoctoral researchers. It discusses important experiments, organisms of interest and research findings connected to the different stages of the cycle and the components involved.
Biology for AP® courses covers the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester Advanced Placement® biology course. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology for AP® Courses was designed to meet and exceed the requirements of the College Board’s AP® Biology framework while allowing significant flexibility for instructors. Each section of the book includes an introduction based on the AP® curriculum and includes rich features that engage students in scientific practice and AP® test preparation; it also highlights careers and research opportunities in biological sciences.
The possession of plasmids was for a long time recognized only in the bacteria. It is now evident that plasmids, or replicative forms of DNA structurally and experimentally comparable to bacterial plasmids, exist in eukaryotic organisms as well. Such plasmids are in fact common among fungi and higher plants. The present review is undertaken to provide a comprehensive account of the data available on plasmids found in eukaryotic organisms. This review will not consider plasmids of prokaryotic origin, even though certain bacterial plasmids, such as the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmids of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, may be intimately associated with transformation of the eukaryotic host. This book, moreover, does not consider transformation experiments in eukaryotic hosts involving viral DNA as vectors, although indeed such vectors have been developed for use in plant and animal systems. After a general introduction, providing historical perspective on the nature and role of plasmids, a list of eukaryotic plasmids will be presented according to their origin. This is followed by a detailed discussion of known structure and function. In subsequent chapters the practical implications of eukaryotic plasmids for molecular cloning and biotechnology will be discussed. This latter part traces the development of interest'in biotechnical genetics and gives special consideration to the use of eukaryotic systems for gene cloning. The terminology biotechni cal genetics is introduced to the reader and is used in a general sense as equivalent to genetic engineering. Biotechnical genetics includes, but is not limited to, gene cloning through recombinant DNA technology.
Prokaryotes are profoundly original, highly efficient microorganisms that have played a decisive role in the evolution of life on Earth. Although disjunct, taken together their cells form one global superorganism or biological system. One of the results of their non-Darwinian evolution has been the development of enormous diversity and bio-energetic variety. Prokaryotic cells possess standardized mechanisms for easy gene exchanges (lateral gene transfer) and they can behave like receiving and broadcasting stations for genetic material. Ultimately, the result is a global communication system based on the prokaryotic hereditary patrimony, by analogy, a two-billion-year-old world wide web for their benefit. Eukaryotes have evolved from the association of at least three complementary prokaryotic cells, and their subsequent development has been enriched and accelerated by symbioses with other prokaryotes. One of these symbioses was responsible for the origin of vascular plants which transformed vast sections of the continental surface of the Earth from deserts to areas with luxuriant, life-supporting vegetation. All forms of life on our planet are directly or indirectly sustained and enriched by the positive contribution of prokaryotes. Sorin Sonea and L�o G. Mathieu have been professors at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Faculty of Medicine) at the Universit� de Montr�al. They have long been advocates of the ideas presented in this book.
