Coelenterate Biology

Coelenterate Biology: Reviews and New Perspectives highlights research areas in which coelenterates are exceptionally useful and interesting experimental animals. It outlines the state of knowledge in coelenterate research and draws attention to some of the challenging problems that are amenable for study. Coelenterates offer valuable material for many levels of inquiry-from the population and organismic to the cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels. They are especially attractive animals for studies in developmental biology and behavior.
The book begins by discussing cnidarians histology, focusing on the light and electron microscopy of cnidarian tissues. There are separate chapters on the skeletal system of cnidarians; the morphology, functions, and chemistry of nematocytes; and a few aspects of the enormous subject of cnidarian development. The subsequent chapters deal with cnidarian neurobiology, behavior, locomotion, flotation, and dispersal; experimental studies on algae-cnidarian symbioses; and coelenterate bioluminescence. The book concludes with a discussion of the systems of coordination and nervous system of ctenophores.

Contenu

List of Contributors
Preface
I Cnidarian Histology
I. General Introduction
II. Muscle
III. Nervous and Epithelial Conducting Cells
IV. Epithelial Tissue
V. Mesoglea
VI. Interstitial Cells and Amoebocytes
VII. Gonads and Gametes
VIII. Cnidoblasts, Cnidocytes, and Nematocysts
References
II The Skeletal System
I. Introduction: The Skeletal System
II. The Hydraulic Endoskeleton
III. The Mesoskeleton
IV. The Exoskeleton
V. Subsidiary Functions of the Skeletal System
VI. Interrelationship of Skeletal Components
References
III Nematocysts
I. Introduction
II. The Morphology of Nematocysts
III. The Functioning of Nematocysts
IV. The Functions of Nematocysts and Spirocysts
V. The Chemistry of Nematocysts
VI. Utilization of Nematocysts by Non-cnidarians
VII. Public Health Aspects of Nematocysts
References
IV Development
I. Introduction
II. Sexual Reproduction and Embryogenesis
III. Pattern Formation
IV. Role of Skeletal Elements in Differentiation
V. Cell Growth and Differentiation
VI. Tissue Morphogenesis
VII. Conclusions
References
V On the Mechanism of Action and Evolution of Receptors Associated with Feeding and Digestion
I. Introduction
II. Feeding Response
III. Digestion
IV. Evolution of Receptor Sites
References
VI Cnidarian Neurobiology
I. Introduction
II. Conducting Systems: Nerve Nets and Excitable Epithelia
III. The Initiation of Activity: Pacemakers and Sensors
IV. Effectors and Their Control
V. Some Outstanding Problems
References
VII Behavior Patterns in Associations and Interactions with Other Animals
I. Introduction
II. Behavior Patterns in Commensal Associations
III. Interactions Leading to Detachment, Locomotion, or Avoidance
IV. Discussion
V. Conclusions
References
VIII Locomotion, Flotation, and Dispersal
I. Introduction
II. Locomotion
III. Flotation
IV. Dispersal
References
IX Endosymbiosis of Cnidarians and Algae
I. Introduction
II. The Association of Hydra and Zoochlorellae
III. The Association of Marine Cnidarians and Zooxanthellae
References
X Coelenterate Bioluminescence
I. Introduction
II. Biochemical Mechanisms
III. Morphology and Localization of the Luminescent Tissues
IV. Physiological Control Mechanisms of Luminescence
V. The Function of Bioluminescence in Coelenterates
References
XI Recent Studies on the Ctenophora
I. Introduction
II. Systems of Coordination
III. The Nervous System of Ctenophores
IV. Macrocilia of Beroe
V. Conclusions
References
Author Index
Subject Index