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Metabolism and Molecular Activities of Cytokinins
BOOK REVIEWS
316
tion of proto-organelles, but the active capture and exploitation of foreign DNA. For the imprisoned princess all is well since survival as a selfish gene is assured. Anyway, get a hold of this book but look also at the contemporary events in molecular
Metabolism and Molecular Activities of Cytokinin$: edited by J. GUERN and C. PEAUDLENOEL. Springer, Berlin, 1981. xii + 352 pp. This book is the publication of a colloqium (a symposium where one's tongue is not loosened by alcohol) on cytokinins held in Gif-sur-Yvette in 1980. As such it is a state-of-the-art production with research papers rather than a series of percipient overviews. This is not to decry its worth. The 87 authors of the 32 chapters have done an excellent job and all facets of the formation, metabolism and receptor mechanisms of the cyto-
The Plant Cuticle: edited by D. F. CUTLER, K, L. ALVIN and C. E. PRICE. Academic Press, London (for the Linnean Society), 1900. x+461 pp. U.S. $99.50 This book is the result of a symposium held in 1980. As might be expected from the list of 47 distinguished authors of the 27 chapters, the work explores almost every aspect of the plant cuticle. The only important aspect which is more or less ignored is the ecological significance of this barrier. The structure and histochemistry of the cuticle are dealt with in the first seven chapters set by a masterly introduction by Peter HoUoway. The next seven deal with the chemistry of the cuticle, but only one deals with the important presence of
biology.
Biological Science Center, Boston University.
T. SWAIN
kinins are covered in depth. But let us make it clear; this is not a book for the tyro. But it is a valuable contribution to our knowledge of the still shaky frontier of the science of plant growth and development. As such it warrants attention by all who are interested in plant growth and development. So for plant science libraries this is a must; for others see it if you can for it contains much information essential to our understanding of systematics and ecology.
Biological Science Center, Boston University.
T. SWAIN
components other than waxes. A third section of eight chapters deals with the influence of the cuticle in relation to uptake of herbicides, indicating the influence of edaphic and climatic factors on the orientation of the sculptured waxy layers in certain plants. Finally, the evolutionary and taxonomic importance of the architecture of the cuticular layer is outlined in the final five contributions. This is a worthwhile addition to any biology library. The cuticle is not just of plant interest but represents a real barrier for micro-organisms and even small arthropods. Let us hope that we will have another edition in a few years time.
Biological Science Center, Boston University.
T. SWAIN
316
tion of proto-organelles, but the active capture and exploitation of foreign DNA. For the imprisoned princess all is well since survival as a selfish gene is assured. Anyway, get a hold of this book but look also at the contemporary events in molecular
Metabolism and Molecular Activities of Cytokinin$: edited by J. GUERN and C. PEAUDLENOEL. Springer, Berlin, 1981. xii + 352 pp. This book is the publication of a colloqium (a symposium where one's tongue is not loosened by alcohol) on cytokinins held in Gif-sur-Yvette in 1980. As such it is a state-of-the-art production with research papers rather than a series of percipient overviews. This is not to decry its worth. The 87 authors of the 32 chapters have done an excellent job and all facets of the formation, metabolism and receptor mechanisms of the cyto-
The Plant Cuticle: edited by D. F. CUTLER, K, L. ALVIN and C. E. PRICE. Academic Press, London (for the Linnean Society), 1900. x+461 pp. U.S. $99.50 This book is the result of a symposium held in 1980. As might be expected from the list of 47 distinguished authors of the 27 chapters, the work explores almost every aspect of the plant cuticle. The only important aspect which is more or less ignored is the ecological significance of this barrier. The structure and histochemistry of the cuticle are dealt with in the first seven chapters set by a masterly introduction by Peter HoUoway. The next seven deal with the chemistry of the cuticle, but only one deals with the important presence of
biology.
Biological Science Center, Boston University.
T. SWAIN
kinins are covered in depth. But let us make it clear; this is not a book for the tyro. But it is a valuable contribution to our knowledge of the still shaky frontier of the science of plant growth and development. As such it warrants attention by all who are interested in plant growth and development. So for plant science libraries this is a must; for others see it if you can for it contains much information essential to our understanding of systematics and ecology.
Biological Science Center, Boston University.
T. SWAIN
components other than waxes. A third section of eight chapters deals with the influence of the cuticle in relation to uptake of herbicides, indicating the influence of edaphic and climatic factors on the orientation of the sculptured waxy layers in certain plants. Finally, the evolutionary and taxonomic importance of the architecture of the cuticular layer is outlined in the final five contributions. This is a worthwhile addition to any biology library. The cuticle is not just of plant interest but represents a real barrier for micro-organisms and even small arthropods. Let us hope that we will have another edition in a few years time.
Biological Science Center, Boston University.
T. SWAIN