Biochemistry of Insects

Biochemistry of Insects reviews the state of knowledge in insect biochemistry. The book begins by examining the function of carbohydrates in regulating and maintaining the life processes of insects. This is followed by separate chapters on the functional roles of lipids and proteins in insects; and protein synthesis in insects. Subsequent chapters cover the chemistry of insect cuticle; the structure, distribution, and chemistry of insect biochromes; and chemical control of insect behavior. Also discussed are the biochemical aspects of the natural products used by insects in defensive contexts; the reaction of insecticides and related compounds with their targets; detoxification mechanisms in insects; and genetic variation in natural populations.
Designed to serve as a basic textbook in field, this volume should be equally useful as an auxiliary text for most relevant courses in insect biology, particularly insect physiology, insect ecology, insect control, and economic entomology. The book should also serve as an important reference source for the advanced student, the research scientist, and the professional entomologist seeking authoritative details of relevant areas of subject matter.

Contenu

List of Contributors
Preface
1 The Functions of Carbohydrates in Insect Life Processes
I. Introduction
II. Classification of Insect Carbohydrates
III. Carbohydrates in Insect Nutrition
IV. Digestion of Carbohydrates
V. Absorption of Carbohydrates
VI. Excretion and Detoxication
VII. Carbohydrates in Structural Components and Pigments
VIII. Carbohydrates in Insect Metabolism
IX. Carbohydrates in Metamorphosis
X. Carbohydrates in Flight Muscles
XI. Carbohydrates in Reproduction and Embryonic Development
XII. Carbohydrates in Diapause and Coldhardiness
XIII. Carbohydrates and Insect Behavior
XIV. Conclusion
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
2 Functional Role of Lipids in Insects
I. Introduction
II. Lipid Requirements
III. Digestion and Absorption
IV. Transport
V. Utilization of Lipids
VI. Biosynthesis of Lipids
VII. Endocrine Regulation of Lipid Metabolism
VIII. Conclusions
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
3 Functional Role of Proteins
I. Introduction
II. Structure Proteins
III. Interstitial Proteins
IV. Enzymes
V. Hemoproteins Other than Hemoglobin
VI. Bioluminescence
VII. Peptide Hormones
VIII. Concluding Remarks
General References
4 Protein Synthesis in Relation to Cellular Activation and Deactivation
I. Introduction
II. Protein Synthesis and Nucleocytoplasmic Interactions during Early Embryogenesis
III. Synthesis and Storage of Proteins in Fat Body
IV. Regulation of Proteolytic Digestive Enzymes
V. Synthesis of Secretion Proteins and Puffing of Polytene Chromosomes in Salivary Glands
VI. Activation of Protein Synthesis in the Male Accessory Gland
VII. Protein Synthesis as a Basic Problem of Aging
VIII. Morphogenetic Consequence Resulting from Mutational Effect on Protein Synthesis
IX. Concluding Remarks
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
5 The Chemistry of Insect Cuticle
I. Introduction
II. The Components
III. Irreversible Changes: Sclerotization and Melanization
IV. Reversible Changes
V. The Epicuticle and Permeability Barriers
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
6 Insect Biochromes: their Chemistry and Role
I. Introduction
II. Structure, Distribution, and Chemistry
III. Role of Biochromes in Insects
IV. Conclusions
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
7 Biochemistry of Insect Hormones and Insect Growth Regulators
I. Introduction
II. Prothoracicotropic Hormone (Brain Hormone, Activation Hormone, or Ecdysiotropin)
III. Ecdysone
IV. Juvenile Hormone
V. Eclosion Hormone
VI. Bursicon
VII. Hormonal Control of Reproduction
VIII. Diapause
IX. Insect Growth Regulators
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
8 Chemical Control of Behavior-Intraspecific
I. Diffusion and Detection
II. Specificity
III. Pheromones of Social Insects
IV. Negative Controls
V. Biosynthesis
VI. Literature
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
9 Chemical Control of Behavior-Interspecific
I. Communication from Noninsects
II. Communication between Insect Species
III. Chemicals That Affect Noninsects
IV. General Considerations
V. Literature
General References
10 Chemical Control of Insects by Pheromones
I. Introduction
II. Breaking the Communication Code
III. Pheromone-Baited Traps
IV. Techniques Utilizing Pheromone Bait
V. Manipulating the Communication Code
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
11 Biochemical Defenses of Insects
I. Introduction
II. Allomones and Pheromones
III. Sources of Insect Defensive Products
IV. Hymenopterous Venoms
V. Chemistry of Exocrine Defensive Compounds
VI. Metabolic Adaptations for Tolerating Toxic Natural Products
VII. Selective Sequestration of Plant Natural Products
VIII. Biosynthesis of Insect Defensive Compounds
IX. Adaptations to Avoid Autointoxication
X. Regeneration of Defensive Secretions
XI. Optimizing the Adaptiveness of the Defensive Secretion
XII. Defensive Compounds and Chemotaxonomy
General References
12 The Biochemistry of Toxic Action of Insecticides
I. Introduction
II. Anticholinesterases
III. Acetylcholine Receptor Agents
IV. Presynaptic Agents: Aldrin and Dieldrin
V. Axonic Poisons
VI. Biochemical Studies on Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
VII. Are Pyrethroids Axonic Poisons?
VIII. A Muscle Poison
IX. Chlordimeform: A Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor?
X. Metabolic Poisons
XI. Inhibitors of Chitin Synthesis
General References
13 Detoxication Mechanisms in Insects
I. General Introduction
II. Phase 1 Reactions
III. Phase 2 Reactions
IV. Multiple Pathways
V. Induction of Detoxication Enzymes
VI. Detoxication Enzymes in Insecticide Resistance
VII. General Conclusions
VIII. Glossary of Chemical Names
General References
14 Chemical Genetics and Evolution
I. Introduction
II. Genetic Variation in Natural Populations
III. Genetic Differentiation during Speciation
IV. Reconstruction of Evolutionary History
General References
References for Advanced Students and Research Scientists
Index