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Pheromone biochemistry
Camp. Biochem.
Physiol. Vol. 92A, No. I, pp. 151-152, Printed in Great Britain
1989
Pergamon Press pk.
BOOK REVIEWS
Comparative Protozoology; Ecology, Physiology and Life History-By 0. ROGERANDERSON. 440 pp. 1988. Springer, New York. DM 118.
The author describes the morphology and ecology of each of the major groups of Protozoa (flagellates, Sarcodina, ciliates, human parasitic Protozoa); the functional microanatomy of each of the groups; and the physiology and life processes (biochemistry, nutrition, respiration, osmoregulation, motility, reproduction, life cycles and genetic continuity). The book can be used as a text book or as a reference book or as an interesting up-to-date account of the Protozoa.
The Comparative Physiology of the Pancreatic Isle-by A. EPPLEand J. E. BRINN.223 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. $113. The islets produce insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and somatostatin, and possibly other compounds to a lesser extent. This book provides an excellent account of the physiology of the islet of Langerhans. The main chapters are: landmarks in islets research; new interpretations of an old gland; the evolution of the islets organ; ontogeny of the pancreas tissue; comparative cytology; exocrine pancreas; insulo-acinar interactions; nervous regulation of islet function; hormonal control of pancreas function; functional strategies of the islets; insulin; glucagon, PP; somatostatin; summary and perspective. It is probable that the insulin cells originally were located in the gut but shifted to a downstream site more suited for monitoring the systematic blood concentration. The variations in the islets system throughout the vertebrates is well described and anomalies and future research problems indicated. This is an excellent and interesting book that should be read by all interested in the islets, diabetes mellitus, gut physiology and endocrinology. The authors are to be congratulated on having produced a work of such excellent scholarship.
Microelectrode Techniques: The Plymouth Workshop Handbook-Edited by N. B. STANDEN,P. T. A. GRAYand
M. J. WHITAKER256 pp. 1987. Company of Biologists, Cambridge, U.K. The chapters of this multi-authored book are: using microelectrodes; voltage clamp technique; separation and analysis of ionic currents; kinetic analysis of VC records; single channel recording; practical analysis of single channel records; interpretation of single channel recordings; ion selective microelectrodes; techniques for dye injection and cell labelling; microelectrode techniques and plant cells; microelectrode electronics; and microcomputers in the laboratory. Most of these subjects deserve a small book on their own and in many cases such books are available giving more practical detailed information from the Academic Press series or the IBRO Wiley series. The present volume whets the appetite but is not substantial enough to be a proper handbook. Oxygen Transport to Tissue. IX-Edited by I. A. SILVERand A. SILVER.Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Volume. 215. 402 pp. 1987. Plenum Press, New York. $75.
This is a symposium volume of the International Society on oxygen transport to tissue. The papers are grouped into the following sections: methods (morphometric analysis of capillaries, imaging red blood cell dispersions in brain cortex, fluorescent optical sensors for blood gases, oxygen quenching of phosphorescence); blood substitutes (fluorocarbons, polymerized hemoglobin); modelling; physiology (PAFacether, hypoxia, infra-red monitoring, ventricular fibrillation, diffusion in lung, surfactant, xanthine oxidase, hypoxia); and tumours. The book provides a useful survey of the research front in oxygen transport.
Growth and Plasticity of Neural Connections-Edited
by W.
WINLOWand C. R. MCCROHAN.212 p. 1987. Manchester University Press, St Martins Press, New York. $49.95. Pheromone Biochemistry-Edited by G. D. PRESTWICH The topics reviewed in this multi-authored volume are: novel roles for neurotransmitters in regulation of neurite and G. J. BLOMQUIST.565 pp. 1987. Academic Press, growth, growth cone motility and synaptogenesis; reorSan Diego. $85. ganization of nerve muscle synapses during development; This multi-authored volume contains two sections: (1) Pherplasticity of vertebrate motoneurones; regeneration of molomone (P) biosynthesis and its regulation (structureluscan multi-action interneurones; regulative interactions in function relationships of P; biology and ultrasructure of patterning nerve connections; action potential plasticity; sex P producing glands; P biosynthesis desaturation and plasticity of noradrenergic neurones; functional plasticity in chain shortening; endocrine regulation of P production in somatosensory system; associative learning in Aplysiu; and Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera; alkaloid derived P; the search for molecular mechanisms underlying plasticity. cantharidin biosynthesis and function); and (2) reception One of the basic properties of the nervous system is its and catabolism of P (functional morphology of P sensitive functional adaptability so that it changes with time and sensilla; molecular basis of P reception; neurobiology of P experience. This volume provides good examples of the reception; chemical studies of P reception and catabolism; systems changing. molecular mechanisms of vertebrate olfaction and its implications for P biochemistry). Insects grow rapidly and the appearance of new mRNA and new proteins for P bio- Higher Brain Functions. Recent Exploration of the Brain’s synthesis, reception and catabolism can be accurately timed Emergent PropertiesEdited by S. P. WISE. 382 pp. 1987. and studied. It is possible that the basic understanding of Wiley Interscience, New York. $79.95. mechanisms of olfaction will come from P studies on insects. P also have important economic applications in the selective This volume is dedicated to the memory of Edward V. control of insect populations. Evarts (19261985) who did so much to help in under-
151
Physiol. Vol. 92A, No. I, pp. 151-152, Printed in Great Britain
1989
Pergamon Press pk.
BOOK REVIEWS
Comparative Protozoology; Ecology, Physiology and Life History-By 0. ROGERANDERSON. 440 pp. 1988. Springer, New York. DM 118.
The author describes the morphology and ecology of each of the major groups of Protozoa (flagellates, Sarcodina, ciliates, human parasitic Protozoa); the functional microanatomy of each of the groups; and the physiology and life processes (biochemistry, nutrition, respiration, osmoregulation, motility, reproduction, life cycles and genetic continuity). The book can be used as a text book or as a reference book or as an interesting up-to-date account of the Protozoa.
The Comparative Physiology of the Pancreatic Isle-by A. EPPLEand J. E. BRINN.223 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. $113. The islets produce insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and somatostatin, and possibly other compounds to a lesser extent. This book provides an excellent account of the physiology of the islet of Langerhans. The main chapters are: landmarks in islets research; new interpretations of an old gland; the evolution of the islets organ; ontogeny of the pancreas tissue; comparative cytology; exocrine pancreas; insulo-acinar interactions; nervous regulation of islet function; hormonal control of pancreas function; functional strategies of the islets; insulin; glucagon, PP; somatostatin; summary and perspective. It is probable that the insulin cells originally were located in the gut but shifted to a downstream site more suited for monitoring the systematic blood concentration. The variations in the islets system throughout the vertebrates is well described and anomalies and future research problems indicated. This is an excellent and interesting book that should be read by all interested in the islets, diabetes mellitus, gut physiology and endocrinology. The authors are to be congratulated on having produced a work of such excellent scholarship.
Microelectrode Techniques: The Plymouth Workshop Handbook-Edited by N. B. STANDEN,P. T. A. GRAYand
M. J. WHITAKER256 pp. 1987. Company of Biologists, Cambridge, U.K. The chapters of this multi-authored book are: using microelectrodes; voltage clamp technique; separation and analysis of ionic currents; kinetic analysis of VC records; single channel recording; practical analysis of single channel records; interpretation of single channel recordings; ion selective microelectrodes; techniques for dye injection and cell labelling; microelectrode techniques and plant cells; microelectrode electronics; and microcomputers in the laboratory. Most of these subjects deserve a small book on their own and in many cases such books are available giving more practical detailed information from the Academic Press series or the IBRO Wiley series. The present volume whets the appetite but is not substantial enough to be a proper handbook. Oxygen Transport to Tissue. IX-Edited by I. A. SILVERand A. SILVER.Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Volume. 215. 402 pp. 1987. Plenum Press, New York. $75.
This is a symposium volume of the International Society on oxygen transport to tissue. The papers are grouped into the following sections: methods (morphometric analysis of capillaries, imaging red blood cell dispersions in brain cortex, fluorescent optical sensors for blood gases, oxygen quenching of phosphorescence); blood substitutes (fluorocarbons, polymerized hemoglobin); modelling; physiology (PAFacether, hypoxia, infra-red monitoring, ventricular fibrillation, diffusion in lung, surfactant, xanthine oxidase, hypoxia); and tumours. The book provides a useful survey of the research front in oxygen transport.
Growth and Plasticity of Neural Connections-Edited
by W.
WINLOWand C. R. MCCROHAN.212 p. 1987. Manchester University Press, St Martins Press, New York. $49.95. Pheromone Biochemistry-Edited by G. D. PRESTWICH The topics reviewed in this multi-authored volume are: novel roles for neurotransmitters in regulation of neurite and G. J. BLOMQUIST.565 pp. 1987. Academic Press, growth, growth cone motility and synaptogenesis; reorSan Diego. $85. ganization of nerve muscle synapses during development; This multi-authored volume contains two sections: (1) Pherplasticity of vertebrate motoneurones; regeneration of molomone (P) biosynthesis and its regulation (structureluscan multi-action interneurones; regulative interactions in function relationships of P; biology and ultrasructure of patterning nerve connections; action potential plasticity; sex P producing glands; P biosynthesis desaturation and plasticity of noradrenergic neurones; functional plasticity in chain shortening; endocrine regulation of P production in somatosensory system; associative learning in Aplysiu; and Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera; alkaloid derived P; the search for molecular mechanisms underlying plasticity. cantharidin biosynthesis and function); and (2) reception One of the basic properties of the nervous system is its and catabolism of P (functional morphology of P sensitive functional adaptability so that it changes with time and sensilla; molecular basis of P reception; neurobiology of P experience. This volume provides good examples of the reception; chemical studies of P reception and catabolism; systems changing. molecular mechanisms of vertebrate olfaction and its implications for P biochemistry). Insects grow rapidly and the appearance of new mRNA and new proteins for P bio- Higher Brain Functions. Recent Exploration of the Brain’s synthesis, reception and catabolism can be accurately timed Emergent PropertiesEdited by S. P. WISE. 382 pp. 1987. and studied. It is possible that the basic understanding of Wiley Interscience, New York. $79.95. mechanisms of olfaction will come from P studies on insects. P also have important economic applications in the selective This volume is dedicated to the memory of Edward V. control of insect populations. Evarts (19261985) who did so much to help in under-
151