Plant Biochemistry

Plant Biochemistry, Third Edition examines the fundamental aspects of plant biochemistry and biology, including taxonomy, morphology, ecology, horticulture, agronomy, and phytopathology. It discusses the substructures and subfunctions of plant cells, the basic metabolism of plants, and the mechanism and regulation as well as physiological significance of various pathways of photosynthetic carbon dioxide assimilation. Comprised of 26 chapters, this edition begins with an overview of the subcellular components of the plant cell, the overall logic or strategy that the cell uses, and the operation of individual subcellular systems. It discusses the plant ribosomes and nuclei, biosynthesis and assembly of cell membranes in plants, distribution and functional roles of microbodies in plants, photosynthesis and the general biology of chloroplasts, and plant microtubules. The remaining chapters focus on the biochemistry and functions of vacuoles, the primary cell wall and its biogenesis, the regulation of enzyme activity in metabolic pathways, the monosaccharides and oligosaccharides, and the lipid metabolism. The book concludes with a chapter on biological nitrogen fixation and its practical applications in agriculture. This book is a valuable resource for biochemists and plant biologists as well as advanced students or professional workers in plant sciences.

Table of Contents:
List of Contributors Preface I Plant Cell: Substructures and Subfunctions 1 Cell and Subcell I. Introduction II. The Subcellular Components of the Plant Cell III. The Logic of Cell Life IV. Methods of Cell Fractionation V. Separation of the Golgi Apparatus VI. Cell as a Community General References 2 Ribosomes I. Introduction II. Structure of Ribosomes III. The Ribosome Cycle IV. Ribosome Hybrids V. Chloroplast and Mitochondrial Ribosomes References 3 The Nucleus I. Introduction II. Preparative Procedures III. Findings IV. Concluding Remarks References 4 Cell Membranes I. Introduction II. Composition of Cell Membranes III. Structure of Cell Membranes IV. Properties of Specific Cell Membranes General References References 5 Microbodies I. Introduction II. General Description and Nomenclature III. Isolation of Microbodies from Plants IV. Distribution of Microbodies V. Functional Roles VI. Biogenesis of Microbodies General References References 6 The Chloroplast I. Introduction II. Physiological Studies of the Photosynthetic Process III. Localization of Light and Dark Reactions within the Chloroplast; Association with Specific Chloroplast Structures IV. The Photosynthetic Unit, Its Physiological and Morphological Expression V. The General Biology of Chloroplasts General References References 7 Plant Microtubules I. Introduction II. Structure of Microtubules III. Composition and Assembly of Microtubules IV. The Spindle Apparatus: Mitosis and Cytokinesis V. The Spindle Pole : Planes of Division VI. Mechanism of Mitosis VII. Cortical Microtubules VIII. Conclusion and Prospect References 8 Vacuoles I. Introduction II. Biochemistry of Vacuoles III. Functions of Vacuoles IV. Ontogeny of the Vacuome General References References 9 The Primary Cell Wall I. Introduction II. The Noncellulosic Structural Components of Primary Cell Walls III. The Connections between the Structural Components of a Primary Cell Wall IV. A Tentative Molecular Structure of the Walls of Suspension-Cultured Sycamore Cells V. The Nonstructural Components of Primary Cell Walls VI. What Does All This Tell Us about the Mechanism of Cell Wall Extension? References II Basic Metabolism 10 Regulation of Enzyme Activity in Metabolic Pathways I. Introduction II. Modulation of Enzyme Activity by Small Metabolites III. Regulation of Enzyme Activity by Chemical Modification IV. Regulation of "Futile Cycles" between Enzymes Involved in Gluconeogenesis and Glycolysis V. Control of Metabolism by Adenylate Energy Charge VI. Kinetic Properties of Allosteric Enzymes VII. Regulation of Enzymes Involved in Carbon Metabolism during Photosynthesis VIII. Regulation of the Biosynthesis of Starch in Photosynthetic Tissues IX. Regulation in Higher Plant Nonchlorophyllous Tissue X. Regulation of Nitrogen Metabolism XI. Summary General References References 11 Mono- and Oligosaccharides I. Introduction II. Transformations of Sugar Phosphates III. 1-L-myo-Inositol Metabolism IV. L-Ascorbate Biosynthesis V. Oligosaccharide Biosynthesis VI. Polyols, Monosaccharides, and Oligosaccharides in Lichen VII. Concluding Remarks General References References 12 Polysaccharides I. Starch II. Inulin, Mannan, and Other Reserve Polysaccharides General References References 13 Cell Wall Biogenesis I. Introduction II. Cell Wall Language III. Synthesis of Compounds Used as Substrates for the Formation of Wall Polymers IV. Enzyme Systems Which Catalyze the Synthesis of Cell Wall Polysaccharides V. Intermediates in the Synthesis of Polysaccharides VI. Cytological Location of Polysaccharide Synthesis VII. Synthesis of the Cell Wall Glycoprotein, Extensin VIII. Alterations of Cell Wall Polymers Which Occur Outside the Plasma Membrane IX. Conclusion References 14 Lipid Metabolism I. Chemical Composition of Lipids II. Degradation of Fatty Acids III. Biosynthesis of Malonyl-CoA IV. Biosynthesis of Long-Chain Saturated Fatty Acids V. Biosynthesis of Unsaturated Fatty Acids VI. Conclusion: A Discussion of the Interrelationship between Acyl-ACP's and Acyl-CoA's References 15 Nucleic Acid Metabolism I. Introduction II. Enzymology of DNA Replication III. Enzymology of RNA Biosynthesis IV. Characterization and Properties of DNA V. RNA Metabolism References 16 Protein Biosynthesis I. Introduction II. Transcription III. Translation IV. The Genetic Code and Messenger RNA V. Synthesis of Aminoacyl-tRNA VI. Amino Acid Polymerization VII. Chain Termination VIII. Formation of Completed Proteins IX. Regulation General References References 17 Amino Acid Biosynthesis and Its Regulation I. Introduction II. Origin and Mobilization of Amino Acid Precursors III. Synthesis of Individual Amino Acids IV. General Conclusions General References References 18 Mineral Metabolism I. Introduction II. Essentiality III. Specific Function of Essential Nutrients IV. Other Nutrients References 19 Sulfate Reduction I. Introduction II. Sulfate Activation III. Assimilatory Sulfate Reduction in Fungi and Bacteria IV. Sulfate Reduction in Algae and Higher Plants V. Cysteine Biosynthesis VI. Methionine Biosynthesis References 20 Nitrate Metabolism I. Introduction II. Nitrate Reduction III. Nitrite Reduction References 21 Phytochrome I. Introduction II. A Chronology III. Phytochrome, The Molecule IV. Biological Display V. Conclusions General References References 22 Hormones I. Ethylene II. Cytokinins III. Auxins IV. Abscisic Acid and Related Compounds V. Gibberellins General References References 23 Senescence I. Introduction II. Regulation of Senescence III. Biochemical Changes during Senescence IV. Reversal of Senescence V. Conclusions References III Autotrophy 24 Photosynthesis: The Path of Carbon I. Introduction II. Pathways of CO2 Fixation III. Regulation of Photosynthesis vIV. Photorespiration and the Glycolate Pathway V. Photosynthetic Pathways and Other Characteristics References 25 Photosynthesis: The Path of Energy I. Introduction II. Early Events vIII. Quantum Capture and Distribution IV. The Photosystems V. Photophosphorylation VI. Energetics and Kinetics References 26 Nitrogen Fixation I. History II. The Nitrogen Cycle III. Biological Agents That Fix N2 IV. Biochemistry of N2 Fixation References Index

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Edited by James Bonner, and Joseph E. Varner