Comparative Biochemistry V1

Comparative Biochemistry: A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume I: Sources of Free Energy focuses on the desire to provide a sound, critical, and provocative summary of knowledge in comparative biochemistry, including thermodynamics, biological systems, oxidation, visual systems, and aerobic and anaerobic reactions of inorganic substances.

The selection first offers information on the introduction to comparative biochemistry and thermodynamics of living systems. Discussions focus on comparative point of views in biology and biochemistry, classical thermodynamics, reaction rates in chemical and biological systems, and thermodynamics of open systems. The text then ponders on comparative mechanisms for fatty acid oxidation; phosphoric acid anhydrides and other energy-rich compounds; and onium compounds and their biological significance.

The publication examines phototropism and phototaxis and distribution and evolution of visual systems. Topics include phototropism in plants, analysis of phototropic reaction, nature of photoreceptors, role of auxin in phototropism of plants, visual systems of vertebrates, and habitat relations. The book also tackles aerobic and anaerobic reactions of inorganic substances and comparative biochemistry of glycolysis.

The selection is a dependable source of data for readers interested in the sources of free energy.

Contenu

Contributors to Volume I
Preface
Contents of Volumes II, III, and IV
Guide to the Nomenclature

1. An Introduction to Comparative Biochemistry
   I. The Comparative Point of View in Biology
   II. The Comparative Point of View in Biochemistry
   III. The Scope of Comparative Biochemistry 13
   References
2. Thermodynamics of Living Systems
   I. Introduction
   II. Classical Thermodynamics
   III. Thermodynamics of Open Systems
   IV. Reaction Rates in Chemical and Biological Systems
   References
3. Comparative Mechanisms for Fatty Acid Oxidation
   I. Energetics of Fatty Acid Oxidation
   II. Mechanism for Release of the Potential Energy in Fatty Acids
   III. Non-Energy-Yielding Systems
   IV. Mechanism of Odd-Chain Fatty Acid Oxidation
   V. Fatty Acid Oxidation-Comparative Aspects
   VI. Conclusion
   References
4. Phosphoric Acid Anhydrides and Other Energy-Rich Compounds
   I. Introduction
   II. Chemical and Thermodynamic Aspects of "Energy-Rich" Compounds
   III. "Energy-Rich" Compounds in Biological Systems
   References
5. Onium Compounds and their Biological Significance
   I. General Introduction, Natural Distribution, and Chemical Properties of Onium Compounds
   II. Aliphatic Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
   III. Heterocyclic Onium Compounds
   IV. Sulfonium Compounds
   V. Metabolism and Enzymology of Onium Compounds
   VI. Conclusions
   References
6. Phototropism and Phototaxis
   I. Introductory
   II. "Phototropism" (The Phototactic Response) in Animals
   III. Phototropism in Plants
   IV. Analysis of the Phototropic Reaction
   V. The Role of Auxin in Phototropism of Plants
   VI. Nature of the Photoreceptors
   VII. Mechanisms
   References
7. The Distribution and Evolution of Visual Systems
   I. Introduction
   II. Visual Systems of Vertebrates
   III. Habitat Relations: Freshwater Fishes Versus Marine Fishes and Land Vertebrates
   IV. Euryhaline Fishes
   V. Amphibia: Metamorphosis of Visual Systems
   VI. Vertebrate Visual Systems: Habitat Relations and Phylogeny
   VII. Lampreys
   VIII. Deep-Sea Fishes
   IX. Eels
   X. Invertebrates
   XI. Summary and Conclusions
   References
8. Aerobic and Anaerobic Reactions of Inorganic Substances
   I. General Considerations
   II. Oxidation of Nitrogen Compounds
   III. Oxidation of Sulfur and Sulfur Compounds
   IV. Oxidation of Molecular Hydrogen
   V. Biological Litho-Oxidations of Secondary Importance
   References
9. Comparative Biochemistry of Glycolysis
   I. Chemical Reactions Involved in Glycolysis
   II. Regulatory Factors
   III. Glycolysis in Specialized Tissues and Cells
   IV. Species and Tissue Specificities of Glycolytic Enzymes
   References
10. Comparative Biochemistry of Electron Transport
    I. Introduction
    II. The Cytochrome Respiratory Chain
    III. Oxidative Phosphorylation
    IV. Other Respiratory Pathways
    V. Conclusion
    References
11. Utilization of Thermal Energy by Living Organisms
    I. The Need of All Organisms for Thermal Energy: General Considerations
    II. Methods of Meeting Thermal Requirements
    III. Organisms with Unusual Thermal Requirements
    IV. Methods of Protection Against the Destructive Effects of Thermal Energy
    V. Thermal Energy as a Factor in Evolution
    Addendum
    References
    Author Index
    Subject Index