Comparative Biochemistry V4

Comparative Biochemistry: A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume IV: Constituents of Life - Part B focuses on the distribution, biogenesis, and metabolism of cells and organisms.
Composed of various literature, the book first looks at the optical asymmetry of metabolites. The natural occurrence of D-amino acids and L-sugars; significance of purity; optical asymmetry and protein structure; and the relationship of optical asymmetry and cancer are discussed. The text also discusses structural studies on cellulose, starch, and glycogen; biochemistry of lignin formation; structure and localization of nucleic acids; and intraspecific and interspecific variations of protein molecules. The book considers the metabolism of aromatic amino acids, structural and chemical properties of keratin-forming tissues, sclerotization, and blood coagulation. The text further discusses metamorphosis and biochemical adaptation in amphibians. The importance of intrinsic tissue sensitivity in tadpoles; comparative morphological alterations; and the increase in serum albumin and serum protein are considered. The book focuses as well on the structure, distribution, and metabolism of porphyrins, pteridines, and carotenoids.
The selection is a good source of data for researchers wanting to study the distribution, biogenesis, and metabolism of cells and organisms.

Contenu

Contributors to Volume IV
Preface
Contents of Volumes I, II, III, V, and VI
Phylogenetic Charts

1. The Optical Asymmetry of Metabolites
   I. Introduction
   II. The Significance of Optical Purity
   III. Absolute Configuration
   IV. The Natural Occurrence of D-Amino Acids and L-Sugars
   V. Optical Asymmetry and Protein Structure
   VI. Optical Asymmetry and Cancer
   VII. The Origin of Optical Activity and the Origin of Life
   VIII. Conclusions
   References
2. Cellulose, Starch, and Glycogen
   I. Cellulose: General Introduction
   II. Starch: Structure of Amylose and Amylopectin
   III. Glycogen: Structural Studies
   References
3. The Biochemistry of Lignin Formation
   I. Introduction
   II. The Microbiological Degradation of Cellulose
   III. The Aromatization Process in Microorganisms
   IV. Lignification in Higher Plants
   V. Conclusion
   References
4. Nucleic Acids
   I. Introduction
   II. Cellular Localization of the Nucleic Acids
   III. Comparative Structure of the Nucleic Acids
   IV. Biological Specificity of the Nucleic Acids
   References
5. Protein Molecules: Intraspecific and Interspecific Variations
   I. Introduction
   II. Scope and Mechanics of the Review
   III. Quantitative Comparisons of Amino Acid Compositions of Unfractionated Proteins
   IV. Antibiotics
   V. Hormones
   VI. Enzymes
   VII. Muscle Proteins
   VIII. Blood Proteins
   IX. Miscellaneous Proteins
   X. Attempts to Govern the Structures of Protein Molecules
   XI. Comparisons among Heterologous Proteins
   XII. Perspectives
   Notes Added in Proof
   References
6. Metabolism of Aromatic Amino Acids
   I. Introduction
   II. Biosynthesis
   III. Metabolism of Phenylalanine and Tyrosine
   IV. Metabolism of Tryptophan
   References
7. Structural and Chemical Properties of Keratin-Forming Tissues
   I. Introduction
   II. Biological Properties of Keratinizing Tissues
   III. Structural Properties of Horny Tissues
   IV. Chemical Composition of Horny Tissues
   V. Epidermal Keratin
   VI. Hair Keratin
   VII. Quill, Feather, and Horn Keratin
   VIII. One-Component and Two-Component Theories of Keratin
   IX. Concluding Remarks
   References
8. Sclerotization
   I. Introduction
   II. Sclerotization
   III. Systematic Distribution of Sclerotin
   IV. Enzymes
   V. Variety of Sclerotins
   VI. Conclusions
   References
9. Silk and Other Cocoon Proteins
   I. Introduction
   II. Main Importance of Studies on Silk
   III. The Protein "Fibroin" and Its Varieties
   IV. Fibroins of the Parallel-ß Type
   V. Fibroins of the Cross-ß Type
   VI. The a-Form of Silk
   VII. Silk Which is Collagen
   VIII. Silk Which is Chitin
   IX. Further Cases of "Silk" in the Cross-ß Form
   X. The Other Cocoon Protein - the Sericin Fraction
   XI. The Proteins of Other Cocoons
   XII. Byssus Silk
   XIII. Microscopy
   XIV. Taxonomy and the Structure of Silk
   XV. Summary and Conclusions
   References
10. Blood Coagulation
    I. Introduction
    II. Systems of Coagulation in the Different Zoological Groups
    III. Comparison of Coagulation Systems among the Zoological Groups
    IV. Conclusions
    References
11. Metamorphosis and Biochemical Adaptation in Amphibia
    I. Introduction
    II. Comparative Morphological Alterations at Metamorphosis
    III. Comparative Endocrine Regulation of Metamorphosis
    IV. Importance of Intrinsic Tissue Sensitivity in the Tadpole
    V. Biochemical Changes of Direct Adaptive Value during Anuran Metamorphosis
    VI. The Shift from Ammonotelism to Ureotelism during Anuran Metamorphosis
    VII. The Increase in Serum Albumin and Serum Protein
    VIII. The Change in the Molecular Properties and Biosynthesis of Hemoglobin
    IX. Alterations in Digestive Mechanisms
    X. The Effect on Respiration
    XI. Additional Biochemical Alterations during Anuran Metamorphosis
    XII. The Second Metamorphosis
    XIII. Conclusion
    Addenda
    References
12. Porphyrins: Structure, Distribution, and Metabolism
    I. Introduction
    II. Porphyrins and Their Metal Complexes
    III. Occurrence of Porphyrins in Invertebrates
    IV. Origin and Function of the Porphyrins in Invertebrates
    V. Occurrence of Porphyrins in Vertebrates
    VI. Conclusion
    References
13. Pteridines: Structure and Metabolism
    I. Introduction
    II. Folic Acid Compounds
    III. Simple Pteridines
    IV. Biosynthesis of the Pteridine Ring
    V. Riboflavin
    VI. Conclusion
    References
14. Carotenoids: Structure, Distribution, and Function
    I. Introduction
    II. Structures of Naturally Occurring Carotenoids
    III. Distribution in Nature
    IV. Conclusions
    References
15. Comparative Biochemistry of the Alkali Metals
    I. Chemistry of the Alkali Metals
    II. General Distribution of the Alkalies
    III. Alkali Metals as Required Nutrients
    IV. Selective Combination of Alkali Metals with Cell Constituents and Particulates
    V. The Action of Alkali Metals on Enzyme Systems and Cellular Metabolism
    VI. The Physiological and Pharmacological Effects of the Alkali Metals
    VII. The Regulation of the Alkali Metals in Body Fluids and Cells
    VIII. The Sodium and Potassium Balance of the Whole Organism
    IX. The Evolution of the Ionic Balance of Cells and Body Fluids
    X. The Significance of Ion Gradients
    XI. Conclusion
    References
    Author Index
    Subject Index