Structural and Functional Relationships in Prokaryotes / Edition 1

by Larry L. Barton

Overview

For several decades, bacteria have served as model systems to describe the life processes of growth and metabolism. In addition, it is well recognized that prokaryotes have contributed greatly to the many advances in the areas of ecology, evolution, and biotechnology. This understanding of microorganisms is based on studies of members from both theBacteria andArchaea domains. With each issue of the various scientific publications, new characteristics of prokaryotic cells are being reported and it is - portant to place these insights in the context of the appropriate physiological processes. Structural and Functional Relationships in Prokaryotes describes the fundamental physiological processes for members of the Archaea and Bacteria domains. The - ganization of the book reffects the emphasis that I have used in my 30 years of teaching a course of bacterial physiology. The philosophy used in the preparation of this book is to focus on the fundamental features of prokaryotic physiology and to use these features as the basis for comparative physiology. Even though diverse phenotypes have evolved from myriad genetic possibilities, these prokaryotes display considerable functional similarity and support the premise that there is a unity of physiology in the prokaryotes. The variations observed in the chemical structures and biochemical processes are important in contributing to the persistence of microbial strains in a specific environment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387207087
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	12/01/2004
Edition description:	2005
Pages:	817
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.07(d)

Table of Contents

An Introduction to the Prokaryotic Cell.- The Cellular System.- Cellular Structures and Their Function.- The Plasma Membrane.- Cell Wall Structure.- The Cell Wall Matrix.- Capsules, Pili, and Internal Structures.- Profiles of Bacterial Growth.- Cell Motion, Sensing, and Communication.- Cellular Growth and Reproduction.- Physiological Basis for Growth in Extreme Environments.- Bioenergetics.- Electron Transport and Coupled Phosphorylation.- Transmembrane Movement: Mechanisms and Examples.- Metabolic Processes.- Pathways of Carbon Flow.- Organization and Cellular Processing.- Metabolism of Nitrogen and Sulfur.- Biometals.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"The book of Larry L. Barton represents a successful review … . provides an exhaustive overview of the scientific information necessary for understanding the physiology … . The perspectives of six world-famous bacterial physiologists … stimulate students’ discussion leading them toward the integrative approach of the comparative physiology. As stated by the author, the information presented in the book is intended to build on a background that students receive from introductory courses of microbiology, cell biology, genetics and biochemistry." (Diego Mora, Annals of Microbiology, Vol. 55 (3), 2005)

From the Publisher