ALBERT

All Library Books, journals and Electronic Records Telegrafenberg

Your email was sent successfully. Check your inbox.

An error occurred while sending the email. Please try again.

Proceed reservation?

Export
Filter
  • Zea mays  (93)
  • evolution  (84)
  • Springer  (176)
  • American Geophysical Union  (1)
  • American Meteorological Society
  • Oxford University Press
  • 1995-1999  (93)
  • 1990-1994  (84)
  • 1995  (93)
  • 1992  (84)
Collection
Publisher
Years
  • 1995-1999  (93)
  • 1990-1994  (84)
Year
  • 1
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    American Geophysical Union
    In:  U.S. National Report to International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics 1991 - 1994. Contributions in Dynamics of the Solid Earth and Other Planets, ed. by R. A. Pielke, Washington, D.C., American Geophysical Union, vol. C 560, 183 pp., no. AFGL-TR-88-0314, pp. 413-418, (ISBN 3-933346-037)
    Publication Date: 1995
    Keywords: Plate tectonics ; evolution ; GeodesyY ; Review article
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 2
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 77 (1995), S. 315-321 
    ISSN: 1570-7458
    Keywords: Insecta ; Helicoverpa zea ; Zea mays ; resistance inheritance ; joint scaling test ; additive-dominance model
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The corn earworm,Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is a perennial economic pest of field crops in the United States. Maize,Zea mays L., is the major host crop promoting the build-up of devastating corn earworm populations that limit full production of cotton, soybean, peanut, and grain sorghum. Resistance to the corn earworm in maize and in particular sweet maize, would provide an environmentally safe, economical method of control for this pest insect. Antibiotic effects of corn silks on this insect are: small larvae, extended developmental period, and reduced fecundity. Silks from individual maize plants of resistant and susceptible lines and progeny in six generations consisting of parents (P1, P2), F1, F2, and backcrosses BC1.1 (F1 × P1) and BC1.2 (F1 × P2) from each of four crosses were used to determine the genetic basis of the antibiotic resistance of silks to the corn earworm. In the cross of Zapalote Chico × PI340856, genes controlling resistance in the silks to the corn earworm larvae are dominant in PI340856 to those in Zapalote Chico. The cross of Zapalote Chico × GT114 involves parents differing in degree of resistance, and possibly differing for the genetic mechanism by which the resistance is inherited. The inheritance of resistance may involve non-additive (dominance and epistasis) genetic variance. A digenic 6-parameter model indicated (1) the resistance in this cross is controlled by more than one pair of genes and (2) some or all of the genes interact to cause non-allelic interaction. Thus, the resistance in this cross may be controlled by both dominant and recessive genes. The resistance of Zapalote Chico × CI64, an intermediate inbred, is influenced by additive gene effects. The digenic model adequately predicts all generation means of the cross of GT3 × PI340856 except for the F1. Thus, it appears that the additive-dominance model is not satisfactory for this cross involving susceptible and resistant parents. Generation mean analysis indicates that resistance to silk-feeding by corn earworm larvae is under genetic control, but gene action differs from one type of cross to another.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 3
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Cellular and molecular life sciences 48 (1992), S. 729-731 
    ISSN: 1420-9071
    Keywords: Urea cycle ; leech ; botryoidal tissue ; hirudineans ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) and arginase, but not arginine synthetase (AS), were detected in the body wall and gut tissues of the leech. The activities of these enzymes were not altered by starvation. The high activity of arginase in body wall is probably due to the association of the latter with botryoidal tissue. Hirudineans, which evolved from oligochaete ancestors, appear to have lost the citrulline-arginine segment of the urea cycle due to their ammonotelic mode of nitrogen excretion.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 4
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Cellular and molecular life sciences 51 (1995), S. 454-464 
    ISSN: 1420-9071
    Keywords: Quantitative genetics ; life history ; evolution ; cladocera ; heritability ; Daphnia ; zooplankton
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Quantitative genetic techniques are powerful tools for use in understanding the microevolutionary process. Because of their size, lifespan, and ease of culture, many zooplankton species are ideal for quantitative genetic approaches. As model systems, studies of zooplankton life histories are becoming increasingly used for examination of the central paradigms of evolutionary theory. Two of the fundamental empirical questions that zooplankton quantitative genetics studies can answer are: 1) How much genetic variance exists in natural populations for life history traits? 2) What is the empirical evidence for trade-offs that permeate life history theory based on optimality approaches? A review of existing data onDaphnia indicates substantial genetic variance for body size, clutch size, and age at first reproduction. Average broad-sense heritabilities for these three characters across 19 populations of 6 species are 0.31, 0.31, and 0.34, respectively. Although there is some discrepancy between the two pertinent studies that were designed to decompose the total genetic variance into its additive and non-additive components, a crude average seems to suggest that approximately 60% of the total genetic variance has an additive basis. The existing data are somewhat inconsistent with respect to presence/absence of trade-offs (negative genetic correlations) among life history traits. A composite of the existing data seems to argue against the existence of strong trade-offs between offspring size and offspring number, between present and future reproduction, and between developmental rate and fecundity. However, there is some evidence for a shift toward more negative (less positive) covariances in more stressful environments (e.g., low food). Zooplankton will prove to be very useful in future study in several important areas of research, including the genetics and physiology of aging, the importance of genotype-environment interaction for life history traits, and the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 5
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Journal for general philosophy of science 23 (1992), S. 85-103 
    ISSN: 1572-8587
    Keywords: life ; teleology ; evolution ; reality ; representation ; experience
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Philosophy , Nature of Science, Research, Systems of Higher Education, Museum Science
    Notes: Summary A comprehensive definition of the phenomenon called “life” led to the addition of many dimensions to the natural sciences, and especially the conscious mental dimension. Historical attention is paid not only to those employing the natural philosophical paradigms, but also to evolutionary theories and to the Kantian teleological philosophy. The belief that science can solve the riddle of life is a category of purposal thinking. A revised version of critical teleology is essential for comprehension of life.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 6
    ISSN: 1432-1890
    Keywords: Glomus mosseae ; Zea mays ; Mineral uptake ; Root exudation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Alize) plants were grown in a calcareous soil in pots divided by 30-μm nylon nets into three compartments, the central one for root growth and the outer ones for hyphal growth. Sterle soil was inoculated with either (1) rhizosphere microorganisms other than vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi, (2) rhizosphere microorganisms together with a VAM fungus [Glomus mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappel], or (3) with a gamma-irradiated inoculum as control. Plants were grown under controlled-climate conditions and harvested after 3 or 6 weeks. VAM plants had higher shoot∶root ratios than non-VAM plants. After 6 weeks, the concentrations of P, Zn and Cu in roots and shoots had significantly increased with VAM colonization, whereas Mn concentrations had significantly decreased. Root exudates were collected on agar sheets placed on the interface between root and hyphal compartments. Six-week-old VAM and non-VAM plants had similar root exudate compositions of 72–73% reducing sugars, 17–18% phenolics, 7% organic acids and 3% amino acids. In another experiment in which root exudates were collected on agar sheets with or without antibiotics, the amounts of amino acids and carbohydrates recovered were similar in VAM and non-VAM plants. However, threeto sixfold higher amounts of carbohydrates, amino acids and phenolics were recovered when antibiotics were added to the agar sheets. Thus, the high microbial activity in the rhizosphere and on the rhizoplane limits the exudates recovered from roots.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 7
    ISSN: 1432-1890
    Keywords: Key words Glomus mosseae ; Zea mays ; Mineral uptake ; Root exudation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract  Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Alize) plants were grown in a calcareous soil in pots divided by 30-μm nylon nets into three compartments, the central one for root growth and the outer ones for hyphal growth. Sterile soil was inoculated with either (1) rhizosphere microorganisms other than vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi, (2) rhizosphere microorganisms together with a VAM fungus [Glomus mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappel], or (3) with a gamma-irradiated inoculum as control. Plants were grown under controlled-climate conditions and harvested after 3 or 6 weeks. VAM plants had higher shoot : root ratios than non-VAM plants. After 6 weeks, the concentrations of P, Zn and Cu in roots and shoots had significantly increased with VAM colonization, whereas Mn concentrations had significantly decreased. Root exudates were collected on agar sheets placed on the interface between root and hyphal compartments. Six-week-old VAM and non-VAM plants had similar root exudate compositions of 72–73% reducing sugars, 17–18% phenolics, 7% organic acids and 3% amino acids. In another experiment in which root exudates were collected on agar sheets with or without antibiotics, the amounts of amino acids and carbohydrates recovered were similar in VAM and non-VAM plants. However, three- to sixfold higher amounts of carbohydrates, amino acids and phenolics were recovered when antibiotics were added to the agar sheets. Thus, the high microbial activity in the rhizosphere and on the rhizoplane limits the exudates recovered from roots.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 8
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhiza ; Limed silty loam Heavy metals ; Pb-Zn smelter ; Root colonization Spore numbers ; Tolerance ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The bioavailability of heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu) and the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) were studied in two agricultural fields close to a Pb-Zn smelter and three fields outside the pollution zone all cultivated with maize (Zea mays L.). Metal extractability with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-NH4OAc and Ca(NO3)2, plant metal uptake, and mycorrhizal parameters (spore number, root colonization) were assessed at two growth stages (six-leaf and maturity). Despite regular liming, the availability of Cd, Zn, and Pb was markedly higher in the two metal-polluted fields than in the three uncontaminated fields. However, the AM abundance was not correlated with metal availability. Root colonization and spore numbers in the metal polluted fields were relatively high, though at plant maturity the former was significantly lower than in one of the uncontaminated fields. The very low AM abundance in the two other unpolluted fields was related to other factors, particular soil and plant P status and soil pH. AM root colonization did not substantially prevent plant metal accumulation, since the metal concentrations in maize grown on the polluted fields strongly exceeded normal values, and for Cd and Pb reached the limits of toxicity for animal feed.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 9
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and fertility of soils 20 (1995), S. 57-62 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Nitrogen use ; Nitrogen fertilizer recovery ; Zea mays ; Phaseolus vulgaris ; Vigna unguiculata ; Nitrogen fixation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Locally suitable cultivars of maize, beans, and cowpeas were grown in field experiments for four seasons in semi-arid Kenya. For three seasons, the dry matter production and grain yield of maize and beans were not increased by N fertilizer additions up to 120 kg N ha-1. Fertilizer recoveries measured by 15N isotope dilution techniques were low, less than 20%. Inoculated and uninoculated beans failed to fix N2. By contrast the cowpea derived 50% of its N from fixation, equivalent to 197 kg N ha-1. The N content of the grain generally exceeded 40 kg N ha-1, and the N content of the seeds from the grain legumes were greater than those from the cereals. Large inputs of N fertilizer or N by fixation are required if maize-grain legume cropping system in semiarid Kenya are to be sustained in the long term.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 10
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Mycopathologia 117 (1992), S. 157-161 
    ISSN: 1573-0832
    Keywords: Phyllachora maydis ; Monographella maydis ; Coniothyrium phyllachorae ; Zea mays ; tarspot complex
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The tarspot complex is caused by the interaction of Phyllachora maydis and Monographella maydis. Coniothyrium phyllachorae, possibly a mycoparasite, is found in older ascostromata of P. maydis, which always appears first causing tarspot. M. maydis follows and is responsible for the damaging “fisheye” symptom. The fisheye symptom is always associated with a tarspot in the center of the lesion, whereas 12 to 20% of the Phyllachora ascostromata remained free of M. maydis. Inoculations of maize leaves with the Microdochium anamorph of the Monographella (usually produced in lesions) failed to produce infections. Some infections with M. maydis were, however, obtained under unusual conditions in the field. Inoculations onto tarspots in the laboratory were unsuccessful, but in field experiments inoculations with conidia of M. maydis enhanced severity of the tarspot complex. Fisheye symptoms of the complex naturally appear 2 to 7 days after the manifestation of P. maydis. This is followed a week later by the appearance of M. maydis which became predominant in the lesions and is associated with empty perithecia of P. maydis. In the early stages of the tarspots pycnidia of the anamorph of P. maydis, Linochora sp., could occasionally be observed. Ascomata of M. maydis were rare in the field. Of the 36 genetic materials of CIMMYT tested, 30 developed the fisheye symptom, 4 tarspots only and 2 remained free of symptoms
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 11
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Mycopathologia 119 (1992), S. 181-190 
    ISSN: 1573-0832
    Keywords: aflatoxin B1 ; electron microscopy ; in vitro ; immature maize embryo ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Immature maize (Zea mays L.) embryos were treated with aflatoxin B1 concentrations, ranging from 0.1 μg ml−1 to 25 μg ml−1. Below 5 μg ml−1 aflatoxin B1, root and shoot elongation was not significantly inhibited. Ultrastructurally, root tip cells showed little deterioration, except a possible diffused clearing in mitochondria and plastids. As the toxin concentration was increased above 5 μgml−1, shoot, and particularly root elongation, was progressively inhibited. Associated with this, there was an apparent decrease in the ribosome population. Furthermore, membranes, particularly the vacuolar membrane, became abnormal and vacuolar distension occurred. At 20 and 25 μg ml−1, these effects were exacerbated, and mitochondria and plastid structure was disrupted. At these concentrations, there was evidence of a disruption in lipid metabolism. The results are discussed in the context of known aflatoxin effects on cellular control mechanisms and ultrastructure in animal systems.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 12
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Mycopathologia 129 (1995), S. 117-125 
    ISSN: 1573-0832
    Keywords: Biological control ; Corn seedling disease ; Enterobacter cloacae ; Fusarium moniliforme ; Maize ; Seedling blight ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The bacteriumEnterobacter cloacae is presently used for biocontrol of postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables and as a preplant seed treatment for suppression of damping-off. This bacterium has apparent affinities for several grass species, but it is not considered to be an endophyte. While screening corn for fungi and bacteria with potential for biocontrol of various corn diseases, the surface-sterilized kernels of one unknown Italian corn cultivar produced fungus-free corn seedlings with roots endophytically infected byE. cloacae. This paper describes the microscopic nature ofE. cloacae RRC 101 with corn, and the in vitro control ofFusarium moniliforme and other fungi with this bacterium. Light and electron microscopy determined that this isolate ofE. cloacae was biologically associated with corn seedling roots, where it was distributed intercellularly within the cortex and stele. This is a first report of a strain of this bacterium as an endophytic symbiont of roots. Following a topical application ofE. cloacae to kernels, and upon germination this bacterium readily infected roots of two other corn cultivars. The bacterium was observed within the endosperm of germinating corn seedling, but germination was not affected. Further, the bacterium was isolated from leaves and stems of 3- to 6-week-old seedlings indicating that the above ground portions of corn were also colonized. There was no evidence of damage to cells of the root during a three to four week observation period. This bacterium was antagonistic to several isolates of the corn pathogenFusarium moniliforme, and to two other species of fungi, all of which produce mycotoxins on corn.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 13
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Mycopathologia 132 (1995), S. 173-183 
    ISSN: 1573-0832
    Keywords: Deoxynivalenol ; Embryo ; Mature ; Ochratoxin ; Plantlet ; Zearalenone ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Mature maize (Zea mays) embryos were exposed to 5, 10 and 25 µg ml−1 of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), ochratoxin A (OA) and a mixture of zearalenone and deoxynivalenol (ZEA/DON) for 9 days. DON and the ZEA/DON combination were consistently more inhibitory of the measured parameters than either ZEA or OA. Based on the predicted additive values, it would appear that, in combination, ZEA and DON act synergistically to inhibit root and shoot growth. For ZEA alone, a concentration of 5 µg ml−1 ZEA was generally inhibitory of root and shoot elongation and fresh mass accumulation, while at 10 and 25 µg ml−1, this toxin had a stimulatory effect on these parameters. For OA, the measured effects on root and shoot growth at 5 and 25 µg ml−1 were stimulatory, while at 10 µg ml−1 OA, an inhibitory effect was observed. For all toxins, inhibitory/stimulatory effects were generally more marked for root parameters than for shoot elongation or mass.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 14
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 61 (1992), S. 1-33 
    ISSN: 1572-9699
    Keywords: Paracoccus denitrificans ; denitrification ; methylotrophy ; cytochromec ; cytochrome oxidase ; phylogeny ; evolution ; lateral gene transfer ; nitrogen fixation ; Thiosphaera pantotropha
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Denitrification and methylotrophy inParacoccus denitrificans are discussed. The properties of the enzymes of denitrification: the nitrate-nitrite antiporter, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, nitric oxide reductase and nitrous oxide reductase are described. The genes for none of these proteins have yet been cloned and sequenced fromP. denitrificans. A number of sequences are available for enzymes fromEscherichia coli, Pseudomonas stutzeri andPseudomonas aeruginosa. It is concluded that pathway specificc-type cytochromes are involved in denitrification. At least 40 genes are involved in denitrification. In methanol oxidation at least 20 genes are involved. In this case too pathway specificc-type cytochromes are involved. The sequence homology between the quinoproteins methanol dehydrogenase, alcoholdehydrogenase and glucose dehydrogenase is discussed. This superfamily of proteins is believed to be derived from a common ancestor. ThemoxFJGI operon determines the structural components of methanol dehydrogenase and the associatedc-type cytochrome. Upstream of this operon 3 regulatory proteins were found. The mox Y protein shows the general features of a sensor protein and the moxX protein those of a regulatory protein. Thus a two component regulatory system is involved in both denitrification and methylotrophy. The phylogeny of prokaryotes based on 16S rRNA sequence is discussed. It is remarkable that the 16S rRNA ofThiosphaera pantotropha is identical to that ofP. denitrificans. Still these bacteria show a number of differences.T. pantotropha is able to denitrify under aerobic circumstances and it shows heterotrophic nitrification. Nitrification and heterotrophic nitrification are found in species belonging to the β-and γ-subdivisions of purple non-sulfur bacteria. Thus the occurrence of heterotrophic nitrification inT. pantotropha which belongs to the α-subdivision of purple non-sulfur bacteria is a remarkable property. FurthermoreT. pantotropha contains two nitrate reductases of which the periplasmic one is supposed to be involved in aerobic denitrification. The nitrite reductase is of the Cu-type and not of the cytochromecd 1 type as inP. denitrificans. Also the cytochromeb of theQbc complex ofT. pantotropha is highly similar to its counterpart inP. denitrificans. It is hypothesized that the differences between these two organisms which both contain large megaplasmids is due to a combination of loss of genetic information and plasmid-coded properties. The distribution of a number of complex metabolic systems in eubacteria and in a number of species belonging to the α-group of purple non sulphur bacteria is reviewed. Two possibilities to explain this haphazard distribution are considered: 1. Lateral gene transfer between distantly related micro organisms occurs frequently. 2. The eubacterial ancestors must have possessed already these properties. The distribution of these properties is due to sporadic loss during evolutionary divergence. With respect to the occurrence and frequency of lateral gene transfer two opposing views exist. According to molecular biologists lateral gene transfer occurs frequently and is very easy. Bacteria are supposed to form one large gene pool. On the other hand population geneticists have provided evidence that strong systems operate that establish reproductive isolation between diverged species and even between closely related cell lines. Data on amino acid sequences of nitrogenase proteins, cytochromesc, cytochrome oxidases, β-subunits of ATP synthase and tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes of various micro organisms were reviewed. In all these cases phylogenetic trees could be constructed based on the amino acid sequence data. In all cases this phylogenetic tree was similar to the one based on 16S rRNA homology. Only in one case evidence for the occurrence of lateral gene transfer was obtained. Therefore it is concluded that lateral gene transfer played a minor role in the distribution of complex metabolic systems among prokaryotes. It must be stressed that this does not exclude the possibility that lateral gene transfer occurred frequently in the initial stage of bacterial evolution. It is hypothesized that the appearance of nitrogen fixation, denitrification and cytochrome oxidase formation were early events in the evolution of micro organisms. Both systems are supposed to have evolved only once. Subsequently the capacity to fix nitrogen or to denitrifymust have been lost many times, just as photosynthetic capacity is supposed to have been lost many times. During evolution many systems have been lost leading to a haphazard distribution of metabolic characters among bacteria. As an example it is suggested that organisms with a respiratory chain similar to that ofEscherichia coli arose by loss of the capacity to form the Qbc complex andc-type cytochromes. The remaining systems could be controlled much better however than in the ancestral organisms.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 15
    ISSN: 1420-9098
    Keywords: Isoptera ; Termitidae ; Nasutitermitinae ; caste differentiation ; phylogeny ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary The developmental pattern of the neuter castes was studied in the mandibulate nasute generaCornitermes, Embiratermes andRhynchotermes. InCornitermes walkeri, all the workers and soldiers are male. There are two larval and a single worker instar. Workers can molt into presoldiers. InEmbiratermes chagresi andRhynchotermes perarmatus, both sexes are present among the neuters. A slight sexual dimorphism (males 〉 females) is discernible among both larval instars and among workers ofE. chagresi; female workers can molt into presoldiers. InR. perarmatus, the sexual dimorphism is conspicuous from the first larval instar on. Male larvae go through two instars, then give rise to workers, which do not molt. InR. perarmatus, there is no worker stage in females, but a third larval instar, preceding the presoldier. Hypotheses are proposed as to the evolution of these caste patterns, attempting to conciliate present knowledge of Nasutitermitinae phylogeny and known evolutionary trends affecting termite caste patterns, according to the species' ecology.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 16
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Insectes sociaux 42 (1995), S. 57-69 
    ISSN: 1420-9098
    Keywords: Hindgut ; alkalinity ; evolution ; symbionts ; gut morphology
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary The pH of the gut contents was measured in 52 species of higher termites (Termitidae), representing 36 genera in all four subfamilies. A statistically significant trend was shown from lower termites with low mean gut pH through to the Termitinae with higher mean gut pHs. Elevation of the pH occurred principally in the first and third proctodaeal segments, reaching values as high as 10.5 in 8 soil-feeding genera and 1 wood-feeding genus of Termitinae. Elevation of gut pH within the Termitidae appears to be independent of the general nature of the feeding substrate.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 17
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Insectes sociaux 39 (1992), S. 425-438 
    ISSN: 1420-9098
    Keywords: Formicidae ; Nothomyrmecia ; evolution ; sociogram ; ethogram ; recognition
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary Results of laboratory-based ethological studies on twoNothomyrmecia macrops colonies with individually marked workers are reported. Interactive behavioural acts constituted less than 1% of all those recorded, revealing a strong tendency by the ants not to engage in social contact. Very few workers performed queen-directed acts. They stayed near the queen, though seldom in direct contact. Division of labour was otherwise barely apparent, except that some individuals showed a propensity to guard the nest entrance. No exchange of food was observed between workers, workers and queen, or adults and larvae (apart from worker placement of prey items with larvae). A queen fed from aDrosophila carcass retrieved from the nest floor, without assistance from workers. Systematic scanned observations confirmed levels of inactivity higher than previously observed in ants (comprising almost 2/3 of recorded behavioural acts). The time budget for activities directed toward the immature stages was the same in both colonies, and fluctuated during the circadian period. Non-nestmate larvae added to worker groups were more frequently licked than nestmate larvae, but this might not involve the particular recognition of nestmateversus non-nestmate brood. These observations support the hypothesis thatNothomyrmecia is primitively eusocial, and of special significance in myrmecology.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 18
    ISSN: 1420-9071
    Keywords: Biological clock ; cell division cycle ; diaminopimelate ; evolution ; FSu ; lysine ; muramate ; muramyl dipeptide ; peptidoglycan ; sleep muropeptide ; tumor
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Degradation products of peptidoglycan, the universal bacterial cell wall constituent, were previously found in animal tissues and urine. Reassessment and quantitative analysis of available data lead to an original concept, i.e. that eukaryotic cells synthesize peptidoglycan. We present a model in which this endogenously synthesized peptidoglycan is essential for the processes of eukaryotic cell division and sleep induction in animals. Genes for peptidoglycan metabolism, like those for lysine biosynthesis in plants, are probably inherited from endosymbiotic bacteria, the ancestors of mitochondria and chloroplasts. Corollaries of this concept, i.e. roles for peptidoglycan metabolism in tumor formation and in the biological clock, are supported by abundant evidence. We propose that many interactions between bacteria and eukaryotes are conditioned by their common genetic heritage.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 19
    ISSN: 1420-9071
    Keywords: Molluscan insulin-related peptides ; schistosomin ; neuropeptide gene family ; generation of neuropeptide diversity ; stimulus-dependent expression ; information-handling capacity ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract We review recent experiments showing that the cerebral neuroendocrine Light Green Cells (LGCs) of the freshwater snail,Lymnaea stagnalis, express a family of distinct though related molluscan insulin-related peptide (MIP) genes. The LGCs are involved in the regulation of a wide range of interrelated life processes associated with growth, (energy) metabolism and reproduction. We consider the mechanism of generation of diversity among MIPs, and present evidence that conditions with distinct effects on growth, metabolism and reproduction also can induce distinct patterns of expression of the MIP and schistosomin genes. The stimulus-dependent expression of multiple neuropeptide genes enormously increases the adaptive potential of a peptidergic neuron. We suggest that this contributes significantly to the information-handling capacity of the brain.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 20
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant cell reports 11 (1992), S. 567-570 
    ISSN: 1432-203X
    Keywords: Microspore ; Electroporation ; Transformation ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary The ability to deliver and detect reporter gene activity in maize microspores was tested. Tested expression vectors contained the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene and one of the following promoter-intron combinations: 1) cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV 35S), 2) CaMV 35S + maize alcohol dehydrogenase 1 intron 6 (Adh1-I6), 3) maize alcohol dehydrogenase 1 + intron 1 (Adh1-I1), or 4) maize ubiquitin 1 + intron 1 (Ubiq 1-I1) promoter + intron. The expression vectors were delivered into maize microspores using electroporation or polyethylene glycol (PEG). Both methods were effective for delivering free DNA into microspores. Although all four promoters were active in maize protoplasts, only two promoters were active in maize microspores. The CaMV 35S and the Adh1 promoters did not promote gene expression in maize microspore. The CaMV 35S + Adh1-I6 and Ubiq1-I1 promoters produced high levels of CAT activity in maize microspores.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 21
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Sexual plant reproduction 5 (1992), S. 224-226 
    ISSN: 1432-2145
    Keywords: Zea mays ; Maize ; Polyembryony
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary Two types of cleavage polyembryony are described in the inbred line VIR 17 of maize. Suspensorial embryony was observed to occur spontaneously. Typical cleavage of the zygotic proembryo occurred spontaneously, but could also be induced by treating the developing caryopses with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the second day after pollination. 2,4-D was active as a decorelative factor also evoking the expression of totipotency in individual proembryonal cells.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 22
    ISSN: 1432-2145
    Keywords: Embryo sac ; Zea mays ; Enzymatic isolation ; Zygotic embryogenesis ; Microinjection
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The long-term viability of isolated embryo sacs was studied in maize. Fertilised embryo sacs were digested in order to remove most of the nucellus cells present on their surfaces and then transferred to culture. Experiments on 161 embryo sacs showed that isolation treatments using even minimal enzymatic digestion affected the further development of the embryo sacs. Few embryo sacs survived in culture and those produced only abnormal embryos; they produced no plants. We concluded that embryo sacs isolated through enzymatic digestion may offer limited prospects for long-term studies where normal embryogenic development is required. Alternative strategies are discussed for maize.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 23
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Sexual plant reproduction 5 (1992), S. 227-231 
    ISSN: 1432-2145
    Keywords: Zea mays ; Maize ; Pollen-tube growth regulation ; In vitro pollination
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary In vitro pollen-tube growth in maize was studied using an in vitro pollination system. In the ‘cut-silk’ method, ovaries with silks were placed on medium in vitro, whereafter the silk was cut and the upper part of the silk was pollinated. Pollen tubes were not able to bridge the space between the two silk parts. Even when silk parts were tightly connected, pollen tubes still were not able to pass the cut ends and reach the lower silk part. Pollen-tube growth rates and the direction of tube growth were not influenced by the presence or absence of an ovary. Prepollination did not have any influence on pollen-tube growth rate. Measurements of pollen-tube growth rate also showed that there was no ‘population effect’, i.e. growth rate was not stimulated by pollination with an excess of pollen grains. We found that the direction in which maize pollen grew was determined only by the positioning of the silk hairs.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 24
    ISSN: 1432-2145
    Keywords: Zea mays ; Calcium ; Cell integrity ; Cell viability ; Sperm cell
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Our previous studies showed that Brewbaker and Kwack salts, which have been widely used in pollen germination and sperm isolation, are not appropriate for the maintenance of isolated maize (Zea mays L.) sperm cells. In the present study, we have characterized the effects of each BKS component salt on the integrity of isolated sperm cells using hemacytometry. At 0.01 and 0.1 mM, there were no differences in cell number between control and any salt-treated cells except a 22% decrease with 0.1 mM MgSO4 at 48 h. At the 1 mM level, cell number decreased with time in the presence of Ca(NO3)2 and MgSO4, with loss of integrity of most cells at 48 h, while KNO3 and H3BO3 had little or no effect. Further characterization of calcium-induced reduction in cell integrity using flow cytometry showed that depletion of possible residual free calcium by addition of EGTA to the suspension medium improved cell longevity and viability. Exposure of isolated sperm cells to 1 mM calcium had no effect on cell integrity and viability in 5 h; however, only 12% of cells remained intact at 24 h. The reduction in cell integrity was hastened when cells were pretreated with the calcium ionophore A23187 prior to exposure to 1 mM calcium, with a 54% reduction in cell number at 1 h and complete cell lysis at 24 h. However, depletion of cytosolic free calcium by pretreatment of cells with the calcium ionophore followed by resuspension in the presence of EGTA resulted in rapid reduction of cell integrity as well. These results collectively suggest that maize sperm cells are sensitive to exogenous free calcium; however, a certain level of cytosolic free calcium is necessary for maintenance of integrity. Mechanisms of calcium-induced reduction in cell integrity are discussed along with possible roles of the sensitivity of sperm cells to calcium in fertilization.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 25
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant cell reports 11 (1992), S. 535-539 
    ISSN: 1432-203X
    Keywords: Zea mays ; in vitro culture ; in vitro pollen ; pollen germination ; fertilization
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary Maturation of maize pollen was obtained in male reproductive structures cultured in vitro. Immature tassels containing microspores at the mid-uninucleate to late-binucleate stage of development were excised and spikelets, anthers, and/or isolated microspores were cultured on a medium capable of supporting pollen maturation. Microspore mitosis, culminating in the production of starch-filled, trinucleate pollen capable of germination, was observed after 7–15 days, depending on the genotype and stage at which the cultures were initiated. Up to 100%, 70%, and 20% of the cultured spikelets, anthers, and isolated microspores, respectively, produced mature pollen, which germinated, however, at different frequencies (i.e., spikelets, 50–70%; anthers, 5–10%; microspores, 〈1%). Mature kernels were produced following fertilization with pollen from cultured spikelets and anthers. These procedures provide methods for the in vitro manipulation of a significant phase of the maize life cycle.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 26
    ISSN: 1432-203X
    Keywords: Zea mays ; Matrix-associated ; DNA ; repetitive sequences ; DNA loops
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract In order to elucidate some features of the topological organization of DNA within the plant nucleus, DNA fragments involved in the attachment of the DNA loops to the nuclear matrix in maize were studied. The matrix-associated DNA from dry embryo and meristematic cells after extensive digestion with DNase I and high salt treatment was about 2% of the total DNA, sized within the range of 50 and 250 bp. This DNA was found to be enriched in repetitive DNA sequences, both for nuclei from dry embryo and meristematic cells. The loop size of the DNA in cells of Zea mays appeared to be between 5 and 25 kbp.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 27
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and fertility of soils 13 (1992), S. 142-146 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: A value ; Common bean ; N remobilization ; Soil N balance ; Atom% 15N excess ; Phaseolus vulgaris ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is generally regarded as a poor N2 fixer. This study assessed the sources of N (fertilizer, soil, and fixed N), N partitioning and mobilization, and soil N balance under field conditions in an indeterminate-type climbing bean (P. vulgaris L. cv. Cipro) at the vegetative, early pod-filling, and physiological maturity stages, using the A-value approach. This involved the application of 10 and 100 kg N ha-1 of 15N-labelled ammonium sulphate to the climbing bean and a reference crop, maize (Zea mays L.). At the late pod-filling stage (75 days after planting) the climbing bean had accumulated 119 kg N ha-1, 84% being derived from fixation, 16% from soil, and only 0.2% from the 15N fertilizer. N2 fixation was generally high at all stages of plant growth, but the maximum fixation (74% of the total N2 fixed) occurred during the interval between early (55 days after planting) and late podfilling. The N2 fixed between 55 and 75 days after planting bas a major source (88%) of the N demand of the developing pod, and only about 11% was contributed from the soil. There was essentially no mobilization of N from the shoots or roots for pod development. The cultivation of common bean cultivars that maintain a high N2-fixing capacity especially during pod filling, satisfying almost all the N needs of the developing pod and thus requiring little or no mobilization of N from the shoots for pod development, may lead to a net positive soil N balance.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 28
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Ecological research 10 (1995), S. 321-325 
    ISSN: 1440-1703
    Keywords: body temperature ; brood parasitism ; cuckoo ; evolution ; telemetry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Body temperatures of 11 bird species, including cuckoos, were measured in an artificial meteorological room. Ratios of change in body temperature to that in air temperature were thereby obtained for each species. Cuckoos demonstrate a remarkably high value, indicating a particularly low ability to regulate body temperature. Viewed in this light, the cuckoo's parasitic behavior is very likely an adaptation to overcome a physiological disadvantage. This in turn might be expected to reinforce delay in evolution of temperature homeostasis.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 29
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Molecular engineering 1 (1992), S. 377-399 
    ISSN: 1572-8951
    Keywords: Origin of life ; molecular engineering ; biology ; evolution ; genetic code ; translation machine ; self instruction
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract In attempting to understand how life originated, we search for a detailed sequence of experimentally testable physico-chemical steps in an appropriately structured system. This goal is approached in two stages. First we search for the organizational structure of processes leading to systems with the basic features of living organisms. This is an engineering problem: finding a certain construct by taking care of logical requirements and restrictions from physics. Then we face this construct with the chemical and geophysical reality, and this leads to the view that systems with the essential features of early living organisms evolve following a distinct pathway. Energy supply and the presence of a particular structure in space and time are necessary to induce and drive the processes triggered by stochastic events; but if these particular conditions are given, the broad line of the evolutionary processes is determined by logical requirements and by chemical and geophysical constrains and invariants. The genetic machinery considered to evolve in this manner agrees, in its organizational structure and in many details, with the actual genetic machinery of biosystems. A surprising simplicity and transparency is observed in the logic of the basic processes involved in the origin of life. In the present view, the processes leading to the origin of life begin in a very particular, highly structured, small region where the relevant chemistry can be quite different from overall prebiotic chemistry. Energy-rich compounds are present in ample amounts and a succession of physico-chemical processes, which are per se thermodynamically allowed, takes place. This is in contrast to popular views that the origin of life is connected with fundamental thermodynamic questions related to the problem of getting order out of chaos.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 30
    ISSN: 1573-1561
    Keywords: Eriocrania cicatricella ; Eriocrania sparrmannella ; Eriocraniidae ; Lepidoptera ; sex pheromone ; EAG ; GC-EAD ; mass spectrometry ; synthesis ; evolution ; (Z)-4-hepten-2-one ; (2R)-heptan-2-ol ; (2R)-(Z)-4-hepten-2-ol
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract Extracts from different body parts of adult femaleEriocrania cicatricella (Zett.) were tested for electrophysiological activity on conspecific male antennae. Extracts from the Vth abdominal segment, containing a pair of exocrine glands, elicited the largest electroantennographic response when compared to extracts of other body parts. Female extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography with simultaneous flame ionization and electroantennographic detection (EAD). The EAD active peaks were identified as (Z)-4-hepten-2-one, (2R)-heptane-2-ol, and (2R)-(Z)-4-hepten-2-ol by coinjection on a gas chromatography and by comparison of mass spectra with those of synthetic standards. In field tests, a blend of these three pheromone components was highly attractive to conspecific males, and a subtractive assay confirmed that the unsaturated alcohol is the major pheromone component, whereas no definite behavioral activity could be assigned to the ketone or the saturated alcohol. A bait containing the two alcohols withS-configuration was attractive to maleE. sparrmannella (Bosc), whereas no males ofE. cicatricella were found in these traps. The sex pheromone compounds inE. cicatricella are chemically similar to pheromones reported in Trichoptera and they are produced in homologous glands.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 31
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Journal of chemical ecology 18 (1992), S. 1227-1237 
    ISSN: 1573-1561
    Keywords: Western corn rootworm ; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera ; Coleoptera ; Chrysomelidae ; bacteria ; carbon dioxide ; pheromone ; semiochemicals ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract FemaleDiabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte were allowed to choose between oviposition substrates that were and those that were not associated with potential sources of semiochemicals. Females deposited over five times more eggs on moist towelettes that were treated with homogenates of female abdomens than on towelettes treated with distilled water. Similar results were obtained when screening separated the homogenates from the towelettes, indicating that odors alone could elicit the response. In contrast, females did not choose towelettes that had previously been used for oviposition or towelettes containing eggs over unused towelettes. Further tests with homogenates of abdomens and a bacteriostatic agent (sorbate) indicated that the females were probably responding to bacterial odors rather than an oviposition-enhancing pheromone. Four strains of bacteria were isolated from a homogenate of female abdomens; females deposited 4 to 16 times more eggs on substrates with odors of the bacteria than on substrates with odors of uninoculated nutrient agar. In no-choice tests, bacterial odors did not increase the number of eggs deposited per female beetle; however, in choice tests with dishes that tended to retain any beetles that entered, there were more eggs per female (but not more beetles) after 24 hr in dishes with bacterial odors than in those without the odors. Females also chose dishes with odors of excised maize (Zea mays L.) roots or elevated levels of carbon dioxide over “control” dishes.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 32
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: Angiopteris lygodiifolia ; atpB ; chloroplast genome ; evolution ; rbcL ; trnR
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract To elucidate the evolutionary relationship between the Spermatophyta, Pteridophyta and Bryophyta, we cloned a fragment of chloroplast DNA from the fernAngiopteris lygodiifolia (Pteridophyta) and determined its nucleotide sequence. The fragment contained theatpB,rbcL,trnR-CCG,dedB andpsaI genes. Comparisons of the deduced amino acid and nucleotide sequences of these genes from the three plant groups indicate thatAngiopteris sequences are more closely related to those of Bryophyta species (85% identity on average) than to those of seed plants (76% identity on average), supporting a hypothesis that the Bryophyta and Pteridophyta diverged more recently from one another than their common progenitor diverged from that of the Spermatophyta.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 33
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: translation elongation factor genes ; promoter analysis ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract In Arabidopsis thaliana, the activation process of the A1 EF-1α gene depends on several elements. Using the GUS reporter gene, transient expression experiments have shown that mutations of upstream cis-acting elements of the A1 promoter, or the deletion of an intron located within the 5′ non-coding region, similarly affect expression in dicot or monocot protoplasts. The results reported here strongly suggest that this 5′ intron is properly spliced in Zea mays. We show that two trans-acting factors, specifically interacting with an upstream activating sequence (the TEF 1 box), are present in nuclear extracts prepared from A. thaliana, Brassica rapa, Nicotiana tabacum and Z. mays. In addition, a DNA sequence homologous to the TEF 1 box, found at approximately the same location within a Lycopersicon esculentum EF-1α promoter, interacts with the same trans-acting factors. Homologies found between the A. thaliana and L. esculentum TEF 1 box sequences have allowed us to define mutations of this upstream element which affect the interaction with the corresponding trans-acting factors. These results support the notion that the activation processes of A. thaliana EF-1α genes have been conserved among angiosperms and provide interesting data on the functional structure of the TEF 1 box.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 34
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: geminivirus ; agroinfection ; Zea mays ; large intergenic region (LIR)
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Maize streak virus as well as other geminiviruses contain a potential hairpin structure with the conserved sequence TAATATTAC in the loop. We assessed the possible involvement of this structure in replication and symptom induction of the virus. A series of insertion and deletion mutants were analyzed by agroinfection. Deletion of the hairpin or insertions in the conserved sequence abolished symptom development. Viral DNA could not be detected in the infected tissue. However, a mutant with a point mutation in the ‘conserved’ sequence, isolated after inoculation of maize plants with an insertion mutant, was able to replicate and to induce symptoms.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 35
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: Cyanidium caldarium Geitler ; evolution ; Galdieria sulphuraria ; inverted repeat ; plastid DNA ; psbD-psbC operon ; red algae ; 5S rRNA ; rpl21 ; rps16
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The four inverted repeat (IR) flanking regions of the Cyanidium caldarium plastid DNA were cloned. Southern blotting, transcript and sequence analyses of the border regions revealed the psbD-psbC operon and the rps16 gene within the large single-copy region upstream of the 16S rDNA gene and the rpl21 gene downstream of the 5S rDNA within the 16 kb small single-copy region. The size of the IR is ca. 5 kb. The nucleotide sequences of the psbD-psbC, rps16, rpl21 and 5S rRNA genes with the corresponding alignments and physical maps of the regions are presented. Northern analysis revealed a less complex psbD-psbC transcription pattern than has been found in higher plants. Comparisons to other red algal data point to structural diversity within red algal plastid DNA.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 36
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: higher plants ; sunflower ; chloroplast genome ; mitochondrial genome ; tRNAHis genes ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 37
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: cortex ; developmental regulation ; in situ hybridization ; organ-specific gene expression ; roots ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract A near full-length cDNA clone (pZRP3) corresponding to an mRNA that accumulates specifically in roots of maize was isolated. The ZRP3 mRNA is ca. 600 nucleotides in length. The amino acid sequence of the predicted polypeptide is rich in leucine (16%), proline (11%), and cysteine (8.5%). The zrp3 gene appears to be expressed exclusively in roots, whereas other ZRP3-related genes are expressed in additional organs of the maize plant. In situ hybridization shows that ZRP3 mRNA accumulation is largely confined to the cells of the cortical ground meristem. Furthermore, accumulation of this mRNA occurs within a distinct subset of cortical cells, the inner three to four cell layers.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 38
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant molecular biology 20 (1992), S. 1159-1168 
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: DNA polymerase ; germination ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Three different DNA polymerase activities can be resolved by passing a protein extract from 24 h imbibed maize axes through DEAE-cellulose. These activities have been numbered 1, 2 and 3, according to their elution order. One of them, DNA polymerase 2, elutes at 100–120 mM phosphates. This enzyme was further purified by passing it through Heparin-Sepharose, Sephacryl S-300 and DNA cellulose. Purification was nearly 5000-fold. The enzyme needs Mg2+, is stimulated by K+, has an optimum pH of 7.0 and its optimum temperature is 30–37 °C. Specific inhibitors for different types of polymerases, such as aphidicolin, dideoxythymidine triphosphate and N-ethyl maleimide, gave intermediate values of inhibition, making impossible the definition of the type of enzyme purified by its inhibitory pattern. SDS-PAGE indicated the presence of several bands of molecular masses of 28–40, 56 and 15 kDa. Most of these bands could be visualized when proteins from crude extracts were analyzed by western blot, using an antibody against calf thymus DNA polymerase α. A high molecular mass (around 500 kDa) was calculated by western blot of native gels using the same antibody. Finally, specific activity of this enzyme increased 100-fold during maize germination whereas polymerase 3 virtually did not increase. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation experiments with the antipolymerase α-antibody showed a decrease in DNA polymerase activity by 70%. The possibility that polymerase 2 is a replicative enzyme is discussed.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 39
    ISSN: 1573-4927
    Keywords: Akodon ; Cricetidae rodents ; genetic diversity ; biochemical polymorphism ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract The present study involved an electrophoretic survey of 22 protein loci in 269 individuals belonging to three species of the genusAkodon, A. aff.cursor (2n=16),A. cursor (2n=14/15), andA. montensis (2n=24/25/26), collected in Eastern Brazil. The joint results of gene diversity, genetic distances, phenetic analyses, and phylogenetic trees suggested thatA. aff.cursor has recently separated fromA. cursor and that the three species have experienced a recent chromosomal divergence followed by low allozyme differentiation. These data are in agreement with their classification as sibling species.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 40
    ISSN: 1573-4943
    Keywords: Ribosomal proteins ; protein sequencing ; evolution ; Haloarcula marismortui
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract The ribosomal protein HS23 from the 30S subunit of the extreme halophilicHaloarcula marismortui, belonging to the group of archaea, was isolated either by RP-HLPLC or two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The complete amino acid sequence was determined by automated N-terminal microsequencing. The protein consists of 123 residues with a corresponding molecular mass of 12,552 Da as determined by electrospray mass spectroscopy; the pI is 11.04. Homology studies reveal similarities to the eukaryotic ribosomal protein S8 fromHomo sapiens, Rattus norvegicus, Leishmania major, andSaccharomyces cerevisiae.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 41
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant molecular biology 18 (1992), S. 777-780 
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: Cyanidium caldarium ; evolution ; Galdieria sulphuraria ; rRNA operon
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 42
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant molecular biology 18 (1992), S. 847-849 
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: cDNA ; nucleotide sequence ; glycine-rich proteins ; chemical stress ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 43
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: promoter ; electroporation ; protoplasts ; transient assay ; Agrobacterium ; Ti plasmid ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Regulatory elements controlling transcriptional activity of the mannopine synthase 2′ promoter (mas 2′) were defined by analysis of deletion mutants in transient expression assays in maize protoplasts. Deletion of the region between −305 and −290 containing sequence similarity to the octopine synthase (ocs) promoter element reduced activity by 67% compared to wild type activity. Less than 1% of the activity remained in 5′ deletions downstream of −153. Inclusion of various heterologous enhancer-like sequences immediately upstream of position −325 increased activity by up to 7.5-fold. Insertion of the −325 to −275 sequence alone, or in combination with heterologous enhancer-like elements, restored activity of some of the 5′-deletion mutants. Restoration of activity was not obtained with mutants deleted past position −127. Our results suggest that a single class of nuclear proteins from maize interact with high affinity at elements designated mas b (−306 to −275; mas 1′ element), d (−127 to −108), and e (−82 to −39; mas 2′ element) as well as the 20 bp element from the ocs promoter. Although the binding site at mas d only appears to accommodate a single protein, this element has the potential to make a weak, but positive, contribution to the activity of the mas 2′ promoter. The binding of nuclear proteins could not be demonstrated at mas a and c, both of which showed limited homology to the ocs element. Mutational evidence suggested that mas a and c may also contribute to mas 2′ transcription.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 44
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: GTP binding ; ADP ribosylation ; Zea mays ; Escherichia coli ; fatty acid biosynthesis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract In an attempt to isolate a plant malonyl-coenzyme A:acyl carrier protein transacylase cDNA clone, by direct genetic selection in an Escherichia coli fabD mutant (LA2-89) with a maize cDNA expression library, a Zea mays cDNA clone encoding a GTP-binding protein of the ARF family was isolated. Complementation of a mutation affecting bacterial membrane lipid biosynthesis by a plant ARF protein, could indicate the existence of as yet unidentified bacterial equivalents of this ubiquitous eucaryotic GTP-binding protein.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 45
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: β-prolamin ; Coix lacryma-jobi ; different O2-binding sites ; Opaque 2 ; transcriptional regulation ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The maize opaque 2 (o2) mutation is known to have numerous pleiotropic effects. Some polypeptides have their expression depressed while others are enhanced. The best characterized effects of the o2 mutation are those exerted on endosperm genes encoding the storage protein class of the 22 kDa α-zeins and the ribosome inactivating protein b-32. The Opaque 2 (O2) locus encodes a basic domain-leucine zipper DNA-binding factor, O2, which transcriptionally regulates these genes. In the maize-related grass Coix lacryma-jobi, an O2-homologous protein regulates the 25 kDa α-coixin gene family. We show in this paper that O2 transcriptionally regulates the structurally and developmentally different class of the β-prolamins. A new O2-binding box was identified in β-prolamin genes from maize and Coix that, together with the boxes previously identified in other endosperm expressed genes, forms a curious collection of O2 cis elements. This may have regulatory implications on the role of O2 in the mechanism that controls coordinated gene expression in the developing endosperm. Considering that the O2 locus controls at least three distinct classes of genes in maize endosperm, we propose that the O2 protein may play a more general role in maize endosperm development than previously conceived.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 46
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: elongation factor 1α ; EF-1α ; Zea mays ; cDNA sequence ; gene
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract A cDNA (zmEF1A) and the corresponding genomic clone (zmgEF1A) of a member of the gene family encoding the α subunit of translation elongation factor 1 (EF-1α) have been isolated from maize. The deduced amino acid sequence is 447 residues long interrupted by one intron. Southern blot analysis reveals that the cloned EF-1α gene is one member out of a family consisting of at least six genes. As shown by northern hybridizations in leaves the mRNA level increases at low temperature whereas time-course experiments over 24 h at 5°C show that in roots the overall mRNA level of EF-1α is transiently decreased. These results indicate that the expression of EF-1α is differently regulated in leaves and roots under cold stress.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 47
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant molecular biology 29 (1995), S. 1005-1014 
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: evolution ; genome mapping ; isozymes ; oxygen radicals ; powdery mildew
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Clones representing two distinct barley catalase genes, Cat1 and Cat2, were found in a cDNA library prepared from seedling polysomal mRNA. Both clones were sequenced, and their deduced amino acid sequences were found to have high homology with maize and rice catalase genes. Cat1 had a 91% deduced amino acid sequence identity to CAT-1 of maize and 92% to CAT B of rice. Cat2 had 72 and 79% amino acid sequence identities to maize CAT-2 and-3 and 89% to CAT A of rice. Barley, maize or rice isozymes could be divided into two distinct groups by amino acid homologies, with one group homologous to the mitochondria-associated CAT-3 of maize and the other homologous to the maize peroxisomal/glyoxysomal CAT-1. Both barley CATs contained possible peroxisomal targeting signals, but neither had favorable mitochondrial targeting sequences. Cat1 mRNA occurred in whole endosperms (aleurones plus starchy endosperm), in isolated aleurones and in developing seeds, but Cat2 mRNA was virtually absent. Both mRNAs displayed different developmental expression patterns in scutella of germinating seeds. Cat2 mRNA predominated in etiolated seedling shoots and leaf blades. Barley genomic DNA contained two genes for Cat1 and one gene for Cat2. The Cat2 gene was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 4, 2.9 cM in telomeric orientation from the mlo locus conferring resistance to the powdery mildew fungus (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. hordei).
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 48
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant molecular biology 29 (1995), S. 1057-1070 
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: Arabidopsis ; EF-Tu ; evolution ; gene families ; mitochondria
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract We have characterized a second nuclear gene (tufM) in Arabidopsis thaliana that encodes a eubacterial-like protein synthesis elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). This gene does not closely resemble the previously described Arabidopsis nuclear tufA gene, which encodes the plastid EF-Tu, and does not contain sequence elements found in all cyanobacterial and plastid tufA genes. However, the predicted amino acid sequence includes an N-terminal extension which resembles an organellar targeting sequence and shares three unique sequence elements with mitochondrial EF-Tu's, from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Homo sapiens, suggesting that this gene encodes the Arabidopsis mitochondrial EF-Tu. Consistent with this interpretation, the gene is expressed at a higher level in flowers than in leaves. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the mitochondrial character of the sequence and indicates that the human, yeast, and Arabidopsis tufM genes have undergone considerably more sequence divergence than their cytoplasmic counterparts, perhaps reflecting a cross-compartmental acceleration of gene evolution for components of the mitochondrial translation apparatus. As previously observed for tufA, the tufM gene is present in one copy in Arabidopsis but in several copies in other species of crucifers.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 49
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: carbon fixation ; oxidative pentose phosphate pathway ; chloroplasts ; evolution ; endosymbiosis ; isoenzymes
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Exploiting the differential expression of genes for Calvin cycle enzymes in bundle-sheath and mesophyll cells of the C4 plant Sorghum bicolor L., we isolated via subtractive hybridization a molecular probe for the Calvin cycle enzyme d-ribulose-5-phosphate 3-epimerase (R5P3E) (EC 5.1.3.1), with the help of which several full-size cDNAs were isolated from spinach. Functional identity of the encoded mature subunit was shown by R5P3E activity found in affinity-purified glutatione S-transferase fusions expressed in Escherichia coli and by three-fold increase of R5P3E activity upon induction of E. coli overexpressing the spinach subunit under the control of the bacteriophage T7 promoter, demonstrating that we have cloned the first functional ribulose-5-phosphate 3-epimerase from any eukaryotic source. The chloroplast enzyme from spinach shares about 50% amino acid identity with its homologues from the Calvin cycle operons of the autotrophic purple bacteria Alcaligenes eutrophus and Rhodospirillum rubrum. A R5P3E-related eubacterial gene family was identified which arose through ancient duplications in prokaryotic chromosomes, three R5P3E-related genes of yet unknown function have persisted to the present within the E. coli genome. A gene phylogeny reveals that spinach R5P3E is more similar to eubacterial homologues than to the yeast sequence, suggesting a eubacterial origin for this plant nuclear gene.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 50
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Molecular biology reports 22 (1995), S. 139-145 
    ISSN: 1573-4978
    Keywords: chloroplast ; cyanelle ; evolution ; pre-tRNA processing ; ribozyme ; wheat germ
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract RNase P consists of both protein and RNA subunits in all organisms and organelles investigated so far, with the exception of chloroplasts and plant nuclei where no enzyme-associated RNA has been detected to date. Studies on substrate specificity revealed that cleavage by plant nuclear RNase P is critically dependent on a complete and intact structure of the substrate. No clearcut answer is yet possible regarding the order of processing events at the 5′ or 3′ end of tRNAs in the case of nuclear or chloroplast processing enzymes. RNase P from a phylogenetically ancient photosynthetic organelle will be discussed in greater detail: The enzyme from theCyanophora paradoxa cyanelle is the first RNase P from a photosynthetic organelle which has been shown to contain an essential RNA subunit. This RNA is strikingly similar to its counterpart from cyanobacteria, yet it lacks catalytic activity. Properties of the holoenzyme suggest an intermediate position in RNA enzyme evolution, with an eukaryotic-type, inactive RNA and a prokaryotic-type small protein subunit. The possible presence of an RNA component in RNase P from plant nuclei and modern chloroplasts will be discussed, including a critical evaluation of some criteria that have been frequently applied to elucidate the subunit composition of RNase P from different organisms.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 51
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: ABA-inducible genes ; coding region repeats ; embryo-specific gene family ; evolution ; Hordeum vulgare L. ; phylogenetic analysis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The highly conserved Group 1 late embryogenesis abundant (Lea) genes are present in the genome of most plants as a gene family. Family members are conserved along the entire coding region, especially within the extremely hydrophilic internal 20 amino acid motif, which may be repeated. Cloning of Lea Group 1 genes from barley resulted in the characterization of four family members named B19.1, B19.1b, B19.3 and B19.4 after the presence of this motif 1, 1, 3 and 4 times in each gene, respectively. We present here the results of comparative and evolutionary analyses of the barley Group 1 Lea gene family (B19). The most important findings resulting from this work are (1) the tandem clustering of B19.3 and B19.4, (2) the spatial conservation of putative regulatory elements between the four B19 gene promoters, (3) the determination of the relative ‘age’ of the gene family members and (4) the ‘chimeric’ nature of B19.3 and B19.4, reflecting a cross-over or gene-conversion event in their common ancestor. We also show evidence for the presence of one or two additional expressed B19 genes in the barley genome. Based on our results, we present a model for the evolution of the family in barley, including the 20 amino acid motif. Comparisons of the relatedness between the barley family and all other known Group 1 Lea genes using maximum parsimony (PAUP) analysis provide evidence for the time of divergence between the barley genes containing the internal motif as a single copy and as a repeat. The PAUP analyses also provide evidence for independent duplications of Group 1 genes containing the internal motif as a repeat in both monocots and dicots.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 52
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: ribosomal protein ; rps12 ; rpl20 ; clpP ; chloroplast genome ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 53
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: cycloheximide ; leaf ; nitrate induction ; nitrate reductase transcript ; root ; scutellum ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The nitrate induction of NADH:nitrate reductase mRNA in maize roots, scutella and leaves was investigated in the presence and absence of inhibitors of protein synthesis. In the absence of inhibitors, nitrate treatment caused a fairly rapid (2 to 3 h) increase in the level of the nitrate reductase transcript in all tissues. When cytoplasmic protein synthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide, nitrate reductase mRNA was induced by nitrate in all tissues to levels equal to or greater than those found with nitrate treatment alone. Treatment of maize tissues with cycloheximide in the absence of nitrate had only a small effect on the accumulation of the nitrate reductase mRNA. Inhibition of organellar protein synthesis with chloramphenicol also had little or no effect on nitrate-induced nitrate reductase mRNA accumuiation in roots and scutella, but did appear to partially inhibit appearance of transcript in leaves. Excision of scutella in the absence of nitrate was sufficient to cause some accumulation of the nitrate reductase transcript. Since cytoplasmic protein synthesis was not required for expression of nitrate reductase transcripts, induction of these transcripts by nitrate is a primary response of maize to this environmental signal. Thus, it appears that the signal transduction system mediating this response is constitutively expressed in roots, scutella and leaves of maize.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 54
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: Arabidopsis thaliana ; ATPase ; cpn60 ; developmental regulation ; molecular chaperones ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Mitochondria contain a nuclear-encoded heat shock protein, HSP60, which functions as a chaperonin in the post-translational assembly of multimeric proteins encoded by both nuclear and mitochondrial genes. We have isolated and sequenced full-length complementary DNAs coding for this mitochondrial chaperonin in Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays. Southern-blot analysis indicates the presence of a single hsp60 gene in the genome of A. thaliana. There is a high degree of homology at the predicted amino acid levels (43 to 60%) between plant HSP60s and their homologues in prokaryotes and other eukaryotes which indicates that these proteins must have similar evolutionarily conserved functions in all organisms. Northern- and western-blot analyses indicate that the expression of the hsp60 gene is developmentally regulated during seed germination. It is also heat-inducible. Developmental regulation of the (β-subunit) of F1-ATPase, an enzyme complex that is involved in the cyanide-sensitive mitochondrial electron transport system, indicates that imbibed embryos undergo rapid mitochondrial biogenesis through the early stages of germination. Based on the functional role of HSP60 in macromolecular assembly, these data collectively suggest that the presence of higher levels of HSP60 is necessary during active mitochondrial biogenesis, when the need for this protein is greatest in assisting the rapid assembly of the oligomeric protein structures.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 55
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: pollen-specific gene expression ; promoter analysis ; transient assays ; Tradescantia ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract We have previously reported the isolation and characterization of a gene (Zm 13) from Zea mays which shows a pollen-specific pattern of expression. Stably transformed tobacco plants containing a reporter gene linked to portions of the Zm 13 5′ flanking region show correct temporal and spatial expression of the gene. Here we present a more detailed analysis of the 5′ regions responsible for expression in pollen by utilizing a transient expression system. Constructs containing the β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene under the control of various sized fragments of the Zm13 5′ flanking region were introduced into Tradescantia and Zea mays pollen via high-velocity microprojectile bombardment, and monitored both visually and with a fluorescence assay. The results suggest that sequences necessary for expression in pollen are present in a region from −100 to −54, while other sequences which amplify that expression reside between −260 and −100. The replacement of the normal terminator with a portion of the Zm13 3′ region containing the putative polyadenylation signal and site also increased GUS expression. While the −260 to −100 region contains sequences similar to other protein-binding domains reported for plants, the −100 to −54 region appears to contain no significant homology to other known promoter fragments which direct pollen-specific expression. The microprojectile bombardment of Tradescantia pollen appears to be a good test system for assaying maize and possibly other monocot promoter constructs for pollen expression.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 56
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: anaerobiosis ; BMS cells ; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ; transient gene expression ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GapC) gene family of maize is differentially expressed in response to anaerobic stress. While GapC1 and GapC2 are downregulated, GapC3 and GapC4 are anaerobically induced. We have sequenced and analyzed a 3073 bp promoter fragment of GapC4. The promoter confers anaerobic induction of a reporter gene construct in a transient gene expression system in maize. Deletion analysis of the GapC4 promoter revealed a 270 bp long DNA region required for anaerobic induction. This region contains sequence motifs resembling the cis-acting sequences of the anaerobically induced maize Adh1 and Adh2 genes. Furthermore, the 3073 bp GapC4 promoter fragment displays homology to long terminal repeats of maize retrotransposons and to the 3′ region of the maize anthocyanin regulatory locus C1.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 57
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biochemical genetics 33 (1995), S. 173-181 
    ISSN: 1573-4927
    Keywords: fragile-X DNA systems ; expandable triplet repeats ; dynamic mutations ; conserved genetic domains ; evolution ; heritable disease mechanism
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract A model explaining properties exhibited by fragile-X DNA systems arises from observations that time-dependent base substitutions are expressed at G-C sites but not at A–T sites (Biochem. Genet.32:383, 1994). [CGG]n sequences are classified as most sensitive to evolutionary base substitution processes involving time-dependent populating of G-C sites with enol-imine states having enhanced stability. Increased density of these states in oocyte DNA would introduce a ground-state collapse double-helix of reduced energy that would inhibit strand separation by the replicase. Evolutionarily altered G′ in CG′G triplets allows CG′G to be transcribed as CTG, an initiation codon. And this will cause reinitiation of DNA synthesis, thereby adding additional CGG units to the collapsed double helix. This situation would not occur in slower-evolving male haploid DNA that replicates frequently.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 58
    ISSN: 1573-4927
    Keywords: Akodon ; Cricetidae rodents ; genetic diversity ; biochemical polymorphism ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract The present study involved an electrophoretic survey of 22 protein loci in 269 individuals belonging to three species of the genusAkodon, A. aff.cursor (2n=16),A. cursor (2n=14/15), andA. montensis (2n=24/25/26), collected in Eastern Brazil. The joint results of gene diversity, genetic distances, phenetic analyses, and phylogenetic trees suggested thatA. aff.cursor has recently separated fromA. cursor and that the three species have experienced a recent chromosomal divergence followed by low allozyme differentiation. These data are in agreement with their classification as sibling species.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 59
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Molecular biology reports 21 (1995), S. 165-167 
    ISSN: 1573-4978
    Keywords: 5S ribosomal RNA ; Harpalus rufipes ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The nucleotide sequence of 5S ribosomal RNA from the beetleHarpalus rufipes was determined and compared with primary structures of other insect 5S rRNAs. Sequence differences between two beetle 5S rRNAs may represent phylogenetic markers specific for two groups of Coleoptera — Adephaga and Polyphaga. Analysis of all insect sequences using parsimony allowed us to infer a phylogenetic tree of insects, which is consistent with morphological and paleobiological data.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 60
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: carbon catabolite repression ; cDNA ; gene expression ; stress-induced genes ; glucose-starvation ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract In order to isolate glucose-starvation-related cDNAs in maize (Zea mays L.) root tips, a cDNA library was constructed with poly(A)+ mRNA from 24 h starved root tips. After differential screening of the library, we isolated six different cDNAs (named pZSS2 and pZSS7) which were expressed during glucose starvation. Time course analysis revealed that maximum expression of five of these genes occurs 30 h after the onset of the starvation treatment. On the contrary, the expression of mRNAs corresponding to pZSS4 was maximal at an early stage of starvation and then dramatically decreased. The expression of this gene did not seem to be specific for glucose starvation. The pattern of induction of the genes corresponding to pZSS2, pZSS3, pZSS5, pZSS6 and pZSS7 revealed that non-metabolizable sugars such as L-glucose and mannitol induce mRNA transcription similarly to glucose starvation. When D-glucose or any other metabolizable sugar was supplied, the level of transcripts was reduced. Nucleotide sequence analyses of the six cDNAs allowed identification of five of them by comparison with sequence data bases. The protein encoded by clone pZSS2 is analogous to a wound-induced protein from barley. Clones pZSS4 to pZSS7 encode, respectively, a transmembrane protein, a cysteine protease, a metallothionein-like protein and a chymotrypsin/subtilisin-like protease inhibitor. Clone pZSS3 shares no significant homology with any known sequence.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 61
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant molecular biology 28 (1995), S. 667-676 
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: gene expression ; promoter ; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Transient expression experiments show that the maize GapA1 promoter exhibits a requirement for sequences contained within intron 1 and surrounding exon border regions for expression in maize Black Mexican Sweet cells. Maize GapA1-promoter constructs lacking intron 1 are inactive. Intron 1 and its exon border sequences, when reintroduced into constructs lacking introns, restore gene activity whereas intron 2 and its exon borders to not. The minimal promoter so defined encompasses roughly 250 bp upstream of the in vivo transcription start and appears also to include intron 1. An octameric sequence was identified in intron 1 of maize GapA1 which is similar to sequence motifs found in other maize introns known to increase transient expression. Partial restoration of gene expression in GapA1 constructs lacking intron 1 was achieved through insertion of the identified octameric sequence.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 62
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: calmodulin ; cDNA library ; embryogenesis ; PCR ; transition stage ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract One hundred maize zygotic embryos microdissected at the transition stage were used to construct a cDNA library after non-selective PCR (NS-PCR) amplification of whole cDNA populations. The library contains 2.3 × 105 recombinants and two different calmodulin cDNAs were cloned using a heterologous probe from petunia. Calmodulin expression was confirmed throughout maize embryogenesis at the mRNA, amplified cDNA and protein levels. Sequence analysis suggests a maize origin for both clones and negligible nucleotide changes linked to PCR. This library is the first described for early plant embryos and represents a breakthrough to isolate genes involved in embryo differentiation.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 63
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: Arabidopsis ; evolution ; expression ; genomic clone ; in situ hybridization ; myrosinase
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Myrosinase (thioglucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.3.1.) is in Brassicaceae species such as Brassica napus and Sinapis alba encoded by two differentially expressed gene families, MA and MB, consisting of about 4 and 10 genes, respectively. Southern blot analysis showed that Arabidopsis thaliana contains three myrosinase genes. These genes were isolated from a genomic library and two of them, TGG1 and TGG2, were sequenced. They were found to be located in an inverted mode with their 3′ ends 4.4 kb apart. Their organization was highly conserved with 12 exons and 11 short introns. Comparison of nucleotide sequences of TGG1 and TGG2 exons revealed an overall 75% similarity. In contrast, the overall nucleotide sequence similarity in introns was only 42%. In intron 1 the unusual 5′ splice border GC was used. Phylogenetic analyses using both distance matrix and parsimony programs suggested that the Arabidopsis genes could not be grouped with either MA or MB genes. Consequently, these two gene families arose only after Arabidopsis had diverged from the other Brassicaceae species. In situ hybridization experiments showed that TGG1 and TGG2 expressing cells are present in leaf, sepal, petal, and gynoecium. In developing seeds, a few cells reacting with the TGG1 probe, but not with the TGG2 probe, were found indicating a partly different expression of these genes.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 64
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: evolution ; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ; chloroplast ; site-specific recombination ; transcription ; transposition
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract We have characterized two copies of a 2.4 kb DNA element that we call ‘Wendy’, in the chloroplast chromosome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The two copies of Wendy reside in different single-copy regions at opposite positions in the chloroplast genome. Like many mobile DNA elements, both copies of Wendy are bordered by inverted repeats and contain several additional degenerate copies of these repeat sequences in direct or inverted orientation. In addition, four basepairs are repeated in direct orientation. Two major open reading frames (ORFs) are predicted from the DNA sequence of Wendy I. These ORFs are co-transcribed from a promoter inside the element. The deduced amino acid sequence of the larger of these ORFs shares some weak similarities with sequence motifs of transposases and integrases of other mobile elements. Wendy II appears to be altered relative to Wendy I by point mutations and small deletions and insertions which destroy the ORFs. The leader sequence of the Wendy transcript is nearly identical with the leader sequence of the rbcL transcript of C. reinhardtii, but not of C. moewusii (where the complete Wendy was also undetectable). Furthermore, both copies of Wendy are bracketed by gene clusters that are separated in C. reinhardtii but are contiguous in C. moewusii where they exist in an inverted orientation compared with C. reinhardtii. Wendy was not found in any of the completely sequenced chloroplast genomes of rice, tobacco, pine, Euglena or Marchantia, nor in any other GenBank entry. Our results suggest that Wendy has invaded C. reinhardtii after divergence from other species. Subsequent Wendy-dependent illegitimate homologous or site-specific recombination events or both may have contributed to scrambling of the C. reinhardtii chloroplast genome relative to genomes of other species.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 65
    ISSN: 1573-5028
    Keywords: Zea mays ; thiamine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Thiamine or vitamin B-1, is an essential constituent of all cells since it is a cofactor for two enzyme complexes involved in the citric acid cycle, pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Thiamine is synthesized by plants, but it is a dietary requirement for humans and other animals. The biosynthetic pathway for thiamine in plants has not been well characterized and none of the enzymes involved have been isolated. Here we report the cloning and characterization of two cDNAs representing members of the maize thi1 gene family encoding an enzyme of the thiamine biosynthetic pathway. This assignment was made based on sequence homology to a yeast thiamine biosynthetic gene and by functional complementation of a yeast strain in which the endogenous gene was inactivated. Using immunoblot analysis, the thi1 gene product was found to be located in a plastid membrane fraction. RNA gel blot analysis of various tissues and developmental stages indicated thi1 expression was differentially regulated in a manner consistent with what is known about thiamine synthesis in plants. This is the first report of cDNAs encoding proteins involved in thiamine biosynthesis for any plant species.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 66
    ISSN: 1432-2048
    Keywords: Anoxia ; Biochemical pH-stat ; Cytoplasmic pH ; Ethanol production ; Pyruvate decarboxylase ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Ethanol production by maize (Zea mays L.) root tips, measured by an enzymic assay of the suspending medium, was correlated with changes in the cytoplasmic pH, determined by in-vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, following the onset of anoxia. Strong evidence for the role of the cytoplasmic pH in triggering the switch to ethanol production under anoxia was obtained by: (i) varying the pH of the suspending medium between pH 4 and pH 10; and (ii) using the permeant weak base methylamine to combat the acidification of the cytoplasm induced by the anoxic conditions. Experimentally, it proved to be much easier to manipulate the cytoplasmic pH under anoxia after the pH had stabilised, rather than during the initial rapid acidification that occurred following the onset of anoxia, and in the presence of methylamine, it was possible to impose a normal aerobic cytoplasmic pH value on tissue that was metabolising anaerobically. By this means it was possible to demonstrate the reversibility of the pH effect on ethanol production under anoxia and thus to provide good evidence in support of the biochemical pH-stat model of the anoxic response. The NMR measurement of the cytoplasmic pH in the presence of methylamine was achieved by using a manganese pretreatment technique to eliminate interference between the cytoplasmic and vacuolar Pi signals, and it seems likely that the experimental approach used here will have further applications in studies of the metabolic response to anoxia.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 67
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    The journal of membrane biology 143 (1995), S. 19-28 
    ISSN: 1432-1424
    Keywords: Plant membrane ; Lipid domain ; Fluorescence photobleaching recovery ; Electron paramagnetic resonance ; Temperature stress ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract Translational diffusion of a fluorescent sterol probe was measured in the plasma membranes of protoplasts isolated from cortical cells of the primary root of maize seedlings. The apparent lateral diffusion coefficient was typically observed to be nearly insensitive to temperature, while the mobile fraction increased with increasing temperature. These fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) measurements were compared with the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the methyl ester of 13-doxyl palmitic acid in membranes of corn root tissue in situ. The complex spectra observed with this probe were analyzed as weighted sums of simpler spectra of various order parameters and rotational correlation times. The reconstituted spectra calculated from the model show that EPR also detects a mobile (less ordered, fluid) fraction, distinguished by the order parameter S=0.1 to 0.2, which becomes more abundant as temperature increases and is qualitatively comparable to the mobile fraction determined by the FPR method. The observed results on the mobile fractions and the diffusion rates for translational (FPR) as well as rotational (EPR) motions are interpreted in terms of membrane organization, thus providing information on the population and structural patterns of the coexisting domains with a special emphasis on the response of the membrane to temperature changes.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 68
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Theoretical and applied genetics 90 (1995), S. 1198-1203 
    ISSN: 1432-2242
    Keywords: Diplospory ; RFLP ; Bulk-segregant analysis ; Genome similarity ; Intergeneric hybrids ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Polyploid plants in the genus Tripsacum, a wild relative of maize, reproduce through gametophytic apomixis of the diplosporous type, an asexual mode of reproduction through seed. Moving gene(s) responsible for the apomictic trait into crop plants would open new areas in plant breeding and agriculture. Efforts to transfer apomixis from Tripsacum into maize at CIMMYT resulted in numerou intergeneric F1 hybrids obtained from various Tripsacum species. A bulk-segregant analysis was carried out to identify molecular markers linked to diplospory in T. dactyloides. This was possible because of numerous genome similarities among related species in the Andropogoneae. On the basis of maize RFLP probes, three restriction fragments co-segregating with diplospory were identified in one maize-Tripsacum dactyloides F1 population that segregated 1∶1 for the mode of reproduction. The markers were also found to be linked in the maize RFLP map, on the distal end of the long arm of chromosome 6. These results support a simple inheritance of diplospory in Tripsacum. Manipulation of the mode of reproduction in maize-Tripsacum backcross generations, and implications for the transfer of apomixis into maize, are discussed.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 69
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Theoretical and applied genetics 84 (1992), S. 798-802 
    ISSN: 1432-2242
    Keywords: Zea mays ; C-banding ; Cell size ; Chloroplast number ; Cold tolerance
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary C-band number, guard cell length, and chloroplast number per guard cell were determined for eight maize populations. These populations consisted of maize selected for cold tolerance at the University of Nebraska as well as the original unselected populations. The genome size of these populations had previously been determined. C-band number fluctuated concertedly with the changes in genome size indicating that deletions and additions of constitutive heterochromatin occurred during selection, resulting in altered genome sizes. Guard cell size of all the cold tolerant populations was greater than the cell size of the respective nonselected populations. Chloroplast number per guard cell was also higher in all the cold tolerant populations than in their parental populations, but the increases were not statistically significant. The results indicate that changes in genome size that occurred during selection for cold tolerance are the result of changes in amounts of C-band heterochromatin and that the selection process results in an increase in cell size in the cold tolerant populations.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 70
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant systematics and evolution 196 (1995), S. 141-151 
    ISSN: 1615-6110
    Keywords: Orchidaceae ; Loroglossum hircinum ; Compound pollen ; pollinium ; pollen tubes ; generative cell ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The structure of the massulae composing the pollinium ofLoroglossum hircinum was studied before pollination and 12 and 24 hours afterwards. The grains are grouped in tetrads closely packed in massulae. The exine is only present on the outside of the massulae. The intine consists of two layers: a compact layer surrounding the pollen grain and a looser layer surrounding the pollen grain and a looser layer surrounding the tetrad. Twelve hours after pollination, pollen volume and the space between the tetrads increase due to vacuolization. Twenty-four hours after pollination, pollen volume and tetrad spacing are higher due to vacuolization and some grains have emitted pollen tubes. Pollen growth due to vacuole formation, and the absence of common walls between adjacent tetrads lead to crumbling of the massulae. The mature pollen grain does not have apertures: the site of pollen tube emission is determined after pollination. The first grains to germinate are those in the centre of the massula. The vegetative cell nucleus is the first to enter the pollen tube; the generative cell elongates and undergoes the second haploid mitosis shortly after entering the pollen tube.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 71
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant systematics and evolution 198 (1995), S. 167-178 
    ISSN: 1615-6110
    Keywords: Fabaceae ; Arachis ; Arachis hypogaea ; RAPD ; systematics ; evolution ; germplasm resources
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Twenty-six accessions of wildArachis species and domesticated peanuts,A. hypogaea, introduced from South America were analyzed for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The objective of the study was to investigate inter- and intraspecific variation and affinities among species of sect.Arachis which have been proposed as possible progenitors for the domesticated peanut. Ten primers resolved 132 DNA bands which were useful for separating species and accessions. The most variation was observed among accessions ofA. cardenasii andA. glandulifera whereas the least amount of variation was observed inA. hypogaea andA. monticola. The two tetraploid species could not be separated by using RAPDs.Arachis duranensis was most closely related to the domesticated peanut and is believed to be the donor of the A genome. The data indicated thatA. batizocoi, a species previously hypothesized to contribute the B genome toA. hypogaea, was not involved in its evolution. The investigation showed that RAPDs can be used to analyze both inter- and intraspecific variation in peanut species. Southern hybridization of RAPD probes to blots containing RAPD of theArachis species provided information on genomic relationships and revealed the repetitive nature of the amplified DNA.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 72
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant systematics and evolution 180 (1992), S. 53-64 
    ISSN: 1615-6110
    Keywords: Angiosperms ; Euphorbiaceae ; Macaranga ; Ant-plant interactions ; domatia ; evolution ; myrmecophytism ; Flora of Malaysia
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The paleotropical tree genusMacaranga (Euphorbiaceae) comprises all stages of interaction with ants, from facultative associations to obligate myrmecophytes. In SE.-Asia food availability does not seem to be the limiting factor for the development of a close relationship since all species provide food for ants in form of extrafloral nectar and/or food bodies. Only myrmecophyticMacaranga species offer nesting space for ants (domatia) inside internodes which become hollow due to degeneration of the pith. Non-myrmecophytic species have a solid stem with a compact and wet pith and many resin ducts. The stem interior of some transitional species remains solid, but the soft pith can be excavated. The role of different ant-attracting attributes for the development of obligate ant-plant interactions is discussed. In the genusMacaranga, the provision of nesting space seems to be the most important factor for the evolution of obligate myrmecophytism.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 73
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant systematics and evolution 180 (1992), S. 137-156 
    ISSN: 1615-6110
    Keywords: Angiosperms ; evolution ; origin ; ancestral angiosperm ; morphology
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The ancestral angiosperm is commonly interpreted as an arborescent to shrubby magnolialean with large, multiparted, complex flowers. We examined this hypothesis using a phylogenetic analysis of new and reevaluated characters polarizabled with outgroup comparison. Our cladistic analysis of basal angiosperms placed the nonmagnolialeanChloranthaceae andPiperaceae at the bottom of the tree. We further inferred the probable ancestral states of characters not polarizable with outgroup comparison by examining their distribution among taxa at the base of our cladogram. The sum of ancestral character states suggests that the protoangiosperm was a diminutive, rhizomatous to scrambling perennial herb, with small, simple flowers.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 74
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant systematics and evolution 181 (1992), S. 33-43 
    ISSN: 1615-6110
    Keywords: Angiosperms ; Fabaceae ; Medicago murex ; M. lesinsii ; Systematics ; evolution ; isozymes ; chromosomes
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Chromosomal studies ofMedicago lesinsii (n = 8) and its close relativeM. murex (n = 7) have led to the competing hypotheses that the latter is derived directly from the former, or that both originated from a common ancestor. In contrast to the relatively variableM. murex, M. lesinsii proved to be almost uniform isozymically, except that most populations of Greece differed by one allele from plants of the remainder of the range. This Greek variant ofM. lesinsii was indistinguishable from one of the isozyme variants ofM. murex. The greater level of allozyme variation inM. murex was consistent with its greater ecological amplitude and competitive ability. Also, this suggests thatM. murex is unlikely to have originated directly from the less variableM. lesinsii. The data suggest that either both species originated from a common ancestor, or that the n = 8 species evolved from the n = 7 species, a mode of chromosome evolution not previously hypothesized for the genus.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 75
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant systematics and evolution 181 (1992), S. 179-202 
    ISSN: 1615-6110
    Keywords: Hyacinthaceae ; Ornithogalum ; Heliocharmos ; O. algeriense ; O. kochii ; O. orthophyllum ; O. umbellatum ; Numerical taxonomy ; phenetics ; systematics ; biogeography ; evolution ; Flora of North Africa ; Mediterranean ; Morocco ; Spain ; France
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract A macromorphological study is made on taxa of the genusOrnithogalum subg.Heliocharmos in North Africa, Spain, and France. The results obtained are consistent with data from cytogenetics, reproductive biology and strategies of reproduction. They allow the retention of two species:O. algeriense andO. umbellatum. A biogeographical and phylogenetic interpretation of the subgenus is proposed for the western Mediterranean. Theoretical views on phenetics are discussed.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 76
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant systematics and evolution 183 (1992), S. 235-247 
    ISSN: 1615-6110
    Keywords: Angiosperms ; Mimosaceae ; Acacia ; 5S DNA ; evolution ; phylogeny ; chromosomal lineages
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The DNA sequence structure of 5S DNA units inAcacia species, including representatives from the three subgenera ofAcacia, have been determined. The data was interpreted to suggest that at least three lineages of 5S DNA sequences exist inAcacia and the proposal was made that the lineages be named5S Dna-1, 5S Dna-2, and5S Dna-3. The5S Dna-1 lineage was represented by units fromA. boliviana andA. bidwilli, the5S Dna-2 lineage by units fromA. melanoxylon, A. pycnantha, A. ulicifolia, A. boliviana, A. bidwillii, andA. albida, and the5S Dna-3 lineage by units fromA. bidwillii, A. boliviana, andA. senegal. Based on this interpretation of the sequence data, the Australian species of subg.Phyllodineae grouped together as a cluster, quite separate from the subgeneraAculeiferum andAcacia. As expected from the analyses of morphological characters, the 5S DNA units fromAcacia albida (syn.Faidherbia albida) were quite separate from the otherAcacia spp.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 77
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Plant systematics and evolution 183 (1992), S. 249-264 
    ISSN: 1615-6110
    Keywords: Poaceae ; Oryza ; 5S DNA ; phylogeny ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Relationships between 9Oryza species, covering 6 different genomes, have been studied using hybridization and nucleotide sequence information from the5S Dna locus. Four to five units of the major size class of 5S DNA in each species, 55 units in all, were cloned and sequenced. Both hybridization and sequence data confirmed the basic differences between the A and B, C, D genome species suggested by morphological and cytological data. The 5S DNA units of the A genome species were very similar, as were the ones from the B, C, and D genome-containing species. The 5S DNA ofO. australiensis (E genome) grouped with the B, C, D cluster, while the units ofO. brachyantha (F genome) were quite different and grouped away from all other species. 5S DNA units fromO. minuta, O. latifolia, O. australiensis, andO. brachyantha hybridized strongly, and preferentially, to the genomic DNA from which the units were isolated and hence could be useful as species/genome specific probes. The 5S DNA units fromO. sativa, O. nivara, andO. rufipogon provided A genome-specific probes as they hybridized preferentially to A genome DNA. The units fromO. punctata andO. officinalis displayed weaker preferential hybridization toO. punctata DNA, possibly reflecting their shared genome (C genome).
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 78
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Protoplasma 169 (1992), S. 49-56 
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Lectin ; Plasma membrane ; Protoplast isolation ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary An improved method for the mechanical release of protoplasts from plant tissues is described. The historically-low yield of mechanically-released protoplasts is greatly increased by use of a simple electrically-driven tissue sheer and by optimization of various other steps in the procedure. As counted by light microscopy of a purified preparation, the number of mechanically-released protoplasts obtained is about 6×104 per gram fresh weight of cortical tissue from the primary root of maize (Zea mays L. WF9×Mo 17) seedlings. Nuclear staining of the preparation, however, shows that about half of these protoplasts lack a nucleus and thus are actually subprotoplasts. Comparison of lectin binding to the plasma membranes of mechanically-and enzymatically-released protoplasts shows that both types contain binding sites forRicinus communis agglutinin. Binding sites for peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin are not naturally present on mechanically-released protoplasts but are generated by exposure to a mixture of Cellulysin and Pectolyase Y-23, the cell wall-degrading enzymes used to prepare enzymatically-released protoplasts.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 79
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Protoplasma 167 (1992), S. 33-42 
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Daucus carota ; Zea mays ; Vigna radiata ; Helicoidal cell walls ; Polylamellate cell walls ; Rapid-freeze deep-etch
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary This paper reports on preliminary investigations into the structure of cell walls of varying complexity as revealed by the rapidfreeze deep-etch technique. Three cell types from different species were examined in order to compare the three-dimensional arrangement of random, polylamellate and helicoidal walls. Each cell type displayed a distinctive level of organisation with respect to the cellulose microfibrils and the matrix material. In polylamellated walls, the microfibrils within each layer were linked to each other by 16–20 nm long side chains regularly spaced along the length of the microfibril. In helicoidal walls, the shifting of the microfibrils could cleary be seen, yet no recognisable structures were observed which could mediate this movement.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 80
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Drosera rotundifolia ; Embryogenic callus ; Extracellular matrix ; Scanning electron microscopy ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary Primary embryogenic callus ofDrosera rotundifolia and long-term cultured embryogenic callus ofZea mays possess a conspicuous extracellular matrix (ECM) around and between embryogenic cells. The structural arrangement of ECM depends on the developmental stage of the embryogenic cells. Single embryoid cells were covered with, and connected by net-like material. However, surface cells of young globular embryoids were covered with a coherent layer of ECM which forms bridges with net-like material between the cells which was gradually reduced to coarse strands. When protodermis was formed on the surface of globular embryoids, the ECM disappeared completely. The ECM network was never observed on the surface of heart- and torpedo-shaped embryoids. Safranine (especially 0.1%) stabilized the structure of ECM. Digestion with pronase E and proteinase K indicated that the ECM contains proteinaceous components. Similar developmental patterns of ECM were observed in dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous examples. The ECM represents a stable morphological structure even during long-term embryogenic culture in maize.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 81
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Protoplasma 187 (1995), S. 3-12 
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Gamete protoplasts ; In vitro fertilization ; Early embryogenesis ; Developmental mutations ; Polymerase chain reaction ; cDNA libraries ; Gene cloning ; Angiosperm ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary The development of in vitro fertilization methods in plants, the characterization of developmental mutants, and the adaptation of molecular biology techniques to construct cDNA libraries from minute samples, all represent important recent technical break-throughs. They allow the study of fertilization and early embryogenesis at a molecular level and considerable improvement in the under-standing of higher plant reproduction can be predicted over the next few years. Important biological questions, such as polyspermy, gamete fusion physiology, asymmetrical cell division, embryo axis formation, can now be addressed experimentally in maize, which appears as a major study model in this area.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 82
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Biolistics ; Microspores ; GUS-expression ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary The ability to recover male gametophyte derived plants, which is necessary to get transformed haploid plants, was verified for a hybrid of maize. Using the isolated microspore culture technique, a 9 × 10−5 plant regeneration frequency was obtained. Maize microspores were bombarded with tungsten particles using a PDS He/1000 apparatus. GUS expression in the microspores was maximum with 1.1 μm diameter tungsten microprojectiles for 1100 and 1350 psi helium pressures at a 6 cm distance between the launch point and the target cells. Increasing the amount of DNA coated on the microparticles from 1.66 to 4 μg DNA/mg of particles allowed a two-fold and four-fold increase of the GUS-expressing microspore frequency for 1100 and 1350 psi helium pressure bombardment, respectively. Optimal concentration of solidifying agent in the bombardment support culture medium was found to be 1%. Cell density ranging from 25000 microspores/bombardment to 100000 microspores/bombardment did not affect the frequency of GUS-expressing microspores. Using these optimal conditions, the maximum frequency of GUS-expressing microspores was found to be about 9 × 10−4, while maintaining an embryo formation frequency about 5 × 10−4.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 83
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Protoplasma 171 (1992), S. 123-133 
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Endosperm ; Floury-2 ; Immunocytochemistry ; Protein bodies ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary The seed storage proteins of maize (Zea mays L.) are synthesized during endosperm development on membrane-bound polyribosomes. These proteins, collectively called zeins, are translocated into the lumen of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, where they assemble into protein bodies. Protein body formation in normal genotypes occurs via an ordered deposition of the various types of zeins, and leads to the formation of spherical structures with a diameter of about 1 μm. These structures consist of a central core that contains predominantly α-zein; this central region is surrounded by a peripheral layer of β- and γ-zeins, and the entire structure is bounded by rough endoplasmic reticulum. In the endosperm mutant floury-2 the levels of all classes of zeins are reduced; these kernels exhibit an opaque phenotype instead of the vitreous phenotype observed in normal genotypes. In contrast to the discrete, spherical protein bodies which are formed in normal maize endosperm, the protein bodies within floury-2 endosperm are irregular and the zeins are disorganized; patches of β- and γ-zeins occur within irregularly lobed clusters of α-zein within the lumen of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The implications of this aberrant distribution are discussed, both with respect to protein body development and kernel characteristics.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 84
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Auxin ; Cell wall ; Coleoptile ; Pectin ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary Aiming to elucidate the possible involvement of pectins in auxin-mediated elongation growth the distribution of pectins in cell walls of maize coleoptiles was investigated. Antibodies against defined epitopes of pectin were used: JIM 5 recognizing pectin with a low degree of esterification, JIM 7 recognizing highly esterified pectin and 2F4 recognizing a pectin epitope induced by Ca2+. JIM 5 weakly labeled the outer third of the outer epidermal wall and the center of filled cell corners in the parenchyma. A similar labeling pattern was obtained with 2F4. In contrast, JIM 7 densely labeled the whole outer epidermal wall except the innermost layer, the middle lamellae, and the inner edges of open cell corners in the parenchyma. Enzymatic de-esterification with pectin methylesterase increased the labeling by JIM 5 and 2F4 substantially. A further increase of the labeling density by JIM 5 and 2F4 and an extension of the labeling over the whole outer epidermal wall could be observed after chemical de-esterification with alkali. This indicates that both methyl- and other esters exist in maize outer epidermal walls. Thus, in the growth-controlling outer epidermal wall a clear zonation of pectin fractions was observed: the outermost layer (about one third to one half of wall thickness) contains unesterified pectin epitopes, presumably cross-linked by Ca2+ extract. Tracer experiments with3H-myo-inositol showed rapid accumulation of tracer in all extractable pectin fractions and in a fraction tightly bound to the cell wall. A stimulatory effect of IAA on tracer incorporation could not be detected in any fraction. Summarizing the data a model of the pectin distribution in the cell walls of maize coleoptiles was developed and its implications for the mechanism of auxin-induced wall loosening are discussed.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 85
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Chromosome endoreduplication ; Endosperm ; Protein accumulation ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary Chromosome endoreduplication is a very common process in higher plants but its function and genetic control are still to be clarified. In our experiments we analyzed, by Feulgen cytophotometry, chromosome endoreduplication in endosperm cells of two maize genotypes, IHP and ILP, having high and low protein content in their seed, respectively. Chromosome endoreduplication occurs in both lines within 24 days after pollination, attaining a maximum ploidy level of 384C (7 DNA replication rounds) in IHP and of 192C (6 replication rounds) in ILP. In the mature seed, endosperms of the two lines show different mean ploidy level. In reciprocal crosses between IHP and ILP the f1 endosperms have mean ploidy levels analogous to that of the maternal parent, showing that the difference in ploidy level between the two genotypes is maintained. After selfing of the f1 plants, the difference in ploidy level between the two F2 populations is reduced. In F2 the mean ploidy level is as variable as in f1, indicating the absence of genetic segregation. From our data, it is apparent that both the genetic constitution (cytoplasmic and nuclear) of the maternal parent and the genotype of the individual endosperms influence the ploidy level. An analysis of the protein content in endosperms carried out on the same seed sample as analyzed cytophotometrically showed that the protein content increases, during seed development, parallel to chromosome endoreduplication and varies, in the two lines, in reciprocal crosses and their progeny, according to the same trend as mean ploidy level, suggesting a correlation between the two parameters.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 86
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Endosperm ; Zea mays ; Immunolocalization ; Rough endoplasmic reticulum ; Binding protein ; Protein bodies
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary A maize 75 kDa protein recently has been identified as a plant homolog of the mammalian binding protein (BiP). To better understand the function of BiP in protein body formation in maize endosperm, immunomicroscopy studies were conducted on three maize endosperm mutants, floury-2, Mucronate, and Defective endosperm-B 30, in which the level of BiP is highly elevated. Our results showed that protein body morphology in all three mutants was altered. In addition, BiP was localized in both the ER and peripheral regions of the abnormal protein bodies. The degree to which protein body morphology differed from normal was positively correlated with increased amounts of BiP. In addition, the accumulation of BiP in abnormal protein bodies increased with protein body maturation. In the three endosperm mutants, the arrangement of zeins within protein bodies had been perturbed, yet none of the specific zein subclasses exhibited the staining pattern found for BiP. The association of BiP with abnormal packaging of proteins in protein bodies may reflect a biological function to mediate protein folding and assembly in maize endosperm.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 87
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Avena sativa ; Elongation growth ; Glycine max ; Hexacyanoferrate III (ferricyanide) ; Indole-3-acetic acid ; Zea mays
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary The influence of exogenous potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) (HCF III) on elongation of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptile segments was investigated. Addition of HCF III led to a strong stimulation of growth both in the presence and absence of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The magnitude of growth stimulation was dependent on the presence of IAA, HCF III concentration, incubation time, and phase growth. The reduced form, potassium hexacyanoferrate (II), was without effect on growth. In the presence of HCF III, elongation was suppressed when coleoptile segments were treated with N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, cycloheximide or atebrine (quinacrine). The addition of HCF III stimulated the IAA-induced proton extrusion, and the e−/H+ ratio decreased with incubation time. HCF III also strongly stimulated elongation ofAvena saliva L. coleoptile segments andGlycine max L. hypocotyl segments. These results suggested that a plasma membrane redox system (NADH oxidase type I) may be involved in the regulation of growth through the activity of the plasma membrane-bound ATPase.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 88
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Zea mays ; Plasma membrane ; Proton microprobe ; Copper ; Iron ; Zinc
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary Plasma membranes of maize (Zea mays L., cv. Sil Anjou 18) roots were isolated by aqueous two-phase partitioning. Multi elemental analysis by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) was used for the investigation of elemental composition of plasma membranes. Fe, Cu, and Zn as well as P, S, and Ca were identified. We did not find significant amounts of V, Mn, Se, Mo, or W.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 89
    ISSN: 1615-6102
    Keywords: Glutathione ; Plasma membrane redox acitvity ; Electron transfer ; Zea mays ; Diamide ; Buthionine-D,L-suIfoximine ; Hexacyanoferrate III ; Hexabromoiridate IV
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Summary We investigated changes of thiols (GSH, GSSG, and cysteine) induced by transplasma membrane electron transport after addition of artificial electron acceptors and the influence of the thiol level on redox activity. GSH, GSSG, and cysteine content of maize (Zea mays L. cv. Golden Bantam) roots and coleoptile segments was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. GSSG increased after treatment with 0.8 mM diamide, an SH-group oxidizer. GSH level of roots increased after treatment with diamide, while GSH levels of coleoptiles decreased. Incubation of roots with the GSH biosynthesis inhibitor buthionine-D,L-sulfoximine for 6 days lowered the glutathione level up to 80%. However, the GSH/GSSG ratio of maize roots remained constant after treatment with both effectors. The GSH/GSSG ratio and the glutathione level were changed by addition of artificial electron acceptors like hexacyanoferrate (III) or hexabromoiridate (IV), which do not permeate the plasma membrane. Hexacyanoferrate (III) reduction was inhibited up to 25% after the cellular glutathione level was lowered by treatment with diamide or buthionine-D,L-sulfoximine. Proton secretion induced by reduction of the electron acceptors was not affected by both modulators. The change in glutathione level is different for roots and coleoptiles. Our data are discussed with regard to the role of GSH in electron donation for a plasma membrane bound electron transport system.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 90
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 7 (1992), S. 1-12 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Cognitive ethology ; mental content ; mental representations ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract Cognitive ethology is the comparative study of animal cognition from an evolutionary perspective. As a sub-discipline of biology it shares interest in questions concerning the immediate causes and development of behavior. As a part of ethology it is also concerned with questions about the function and evolution of behavior. I examine some recent work in cognitive ethology, and I argue that the notions of mental content and representation are important to enable researchers to answer questions and state generalizations about the function and volution of behavior.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 91
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 7 (1992), S. 27-33 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Additivity ; ANOVA ; evolution ; hierarchical selection
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract It has been proposed that natural selection occurs on a hierarchy of levels, of which the organismic level is neither the top nor the bottom. This hypothesis leads to the following practical problem: in general, how does one tell if a given phenomenon is a result of selection on level X or level Y. How does one tell what the units of selection actually are? It is convenient to assume that a unit of selection may be defined as a type of entity for which there exists, among all entities on the same “level” as that entity, an additive component of variance for some specific component F of fitness which does not appear as an additive component of variance in any decomposition of this F among entities at any lower level. But such a definition implicitly assumes that if f(x, y) depends nonadditively on its arguments, there must be interaction between the quantities which x and y represent. This assumption is incorrect. And one cannot avoid this error by speaking of “transformability to additivity” instead of merely “additivity”. A general mathematical formulation of the concepts of interaction and non-interaction is proposed, followed by a correspondingly modified approach to the definition of a unit of selection. The practical difficulty of verifying the presence of hierarchical selection is discussed.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 92
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 7 (1992), S. 35-60 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Action principles ; ecosystem structure ; evolution ; information ; natural selection ; non-equilibrium thermodynamics ; teleology
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract The general attributes of ecosystems are examined and a naturally occurring “reference ecosystem” is established, comparable with the “isolated” system of classical thermodynamics. Such an autonomous system with a stable, periodic input of energy is shown to assume certain structural characteristics that have an identifiable thermodynamic basis. Individual species tend to assume a state of “least dissipation”; this is most clearly evident in the dominant species (the species with the best integration of energy acquisition and conservation). It is concluded that ecosystem structure results from the antagonistic interaction of two nearly equal forces. These forces have their origin in the Principle of Most Action (“least dissipation” or “least entropy production”) and the universal Principle of Least Action. “Most action” is contingent on the equipartitioning of the energy available, through uniform interaction of similar individuals. The trend to “Least action” is contingent on increased dissipation attained through increasing diversity and increasing complexity. These principles exhibit a basic asymmetry. Given the operation of these opposing principles over evolutionary time, it is argued that ecosystems originated in the vicinity of thermodynamic equilibrium through the resonant amplification of reversible fluctuations. On account of the basic asymmetry the system was able to evolve away from thermodynamic equilibrium provided that it remained within the vicinity of “ergodynamic equilibrium” (equilibrium maintained by internal work, where the opposing forces are equal and opposite). At the highest level of generalization there appear to be three principles operating: i) maximum association of free-energy and materials; ii) energy conservation (deceleration of the energy flow) through symmetric interaction and increased homogeneity; and iii) the principle of least action which induces acceleration of the energy flow through asymmetrical interaction. The opposition and asymmetry of the two forces give rise to natural selection and evolution.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 93
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 7 (1992), S. 61-68 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Altruism ; evolution ; group selection ; selfishness
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract I examine the relationship between evolutionary definitions of altruism that are based on fitness effects and psychological definitions that are based on the motives of the actor. I show that evolutionary altruism can be motivated by proximate mechanisms that are psychologically either altruistic or selfish. I also show that evolutionary definitions do rely upon motives as a metaphor in which the outcome of natural selection is compared to the decisions of a psychologically selfish (or altruistic) individual. Ignoring the precise nature of both psychological and evolutionary definitions has obscured many important issues, including the biological roots of psychological altruism.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 94
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 7 (1992), S. 161-175 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Altruism ; evolution ; Prisoner's Dilemma ; sociobiology
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract I first argue against Peter Singer's exciting thesis that the Prisoner's Dilemma explains why there could be an evolutionary advantage in making reciprocal exchanges that are ultimately motivated by genuine altruism over making such exchanges on the basis of enlightened long-term self-interest. I then show that an alternative to Singer's thesis — one that is also meant to corroborate the view that natural selection favors genuine altruism, recently defended by Gregory Kavka, fails as well. Finally, I show that even granting Singer's and Kavka's claim about the selective advantage of altruism proper, it is doubtful whether that type of claim can be used in a particular sort of sociobiological argument against psychological egoism.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 95
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 7 (1992), S. 177-187 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Altruism ; evolution ; game theory ; group selection ; kin selection ; prisoner's dilemma
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract A simple and general criterion is derived for the evolution of altruism when individuals interact in pairs. It is argued that the treatment of this problem in kin selection theory and in game theory are special cases of this general criterion.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 96
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 7 (1992), S. 295-313 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Clade ; class ; composite whole ; definition ; defining property ; essentialism ; evolution ; individual ; intension ; name ; ostensive definition ; phylogeny ; population ; set ; species ; taxon ; taxonomy
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract An examination of the post-Darwinian history of biological taxonomy reveals an implicit assumption that the definitions of taxon names consist of lists of organismal traits. That assumption represents a failure to grant the concept of evolution a central role in taxonomy, and it causes conflicts between traditional methods of defining taxon names and evolutionary concepts of taxa. Phylogenetic definitions of taxon names (de Queiroz and Gauthier 1990) grant the concept of common ancestry a central role in the definitions of taxon names and thus constitute an important step in the development of phylogenetic taxonomy. By treating phylogenetic relationships rather than organismal traits as necessary and sufficient properties, phylogenetic definitions remove conflicts between the definitions of taxon names and evolutionary concepts of taxa. The general method of definition represented by phylogenetic definitions of clade names can be applied to the names of other kinds of composite wholes, including populations and biological species. That the names of individuals (composite wholes) can be defined in terms of necessary and sufficient properties provides the foundation for a synthesis of seemingly incompatible positions held by contemporary individualists and essentialists concerning the nature of taxa and the definitions of taxon names.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 97
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 10 (1995), S. 181-196 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Biological species concept ; gene flow ; gene circulation ; Ernst Mayr ; stalemates ; typology ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract Over the decades, there has been substantial empirical evidence showing that the unity of species cannot be maintained by gene flow. The biological species concept is inconclusive on this point. The suggestion is made that the unity of species is maintained rather by selection constantly spreading new alleles throughout the species, or bygene circulation. There is a lack in conceptual distinction between gene flow and gene circulation which lies at the heart of the problem. The concept of gene circulation also sheds some new light on the problem of typology and on such a broad concept as evolution. A new species definition is proposed.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 98
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 10 (1995), S. 339-356 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Species ; lineage ; individual ; class ; evolution ; organism ; population
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract What are species? One popular answer is that species are individuals. Here I develop another approach to thinking about species, an approach based on the notion of a lineage. A lineage is a sequence of reproducing entities, individuated in terms of its components. I argue that one can conceive of species as groups of lineages, either organism lineages or population lineages. Conceiving of species as groups of lineages resolves the problems that the individual conception of species is supposed to resolve. It has added the virtue of focusing attention on the characteristic of species that is most relevant to understanding their role in evolutionary processes, namely, the lineage structure of species.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 99
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 10 (1995), S. 435-457 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Functional explanation ; morphology ; ethology ; evolution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract This article deals with a type of functional explanation, viability explanation, that has been overlooked in recent philosophy of science. Viability explanations relate traits of organisms and their environments in terms of what an individual needs to survive and reproduce. I show that viability explanations are neither causal nor historical and that, therefore, they should be accounted for as a distinct type of explanation.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 100
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biology and philosophy 10 (1995), S. 389-417 
    ISSN: 1572-8404
    Keywords: Catalysis ; chance ; determinism ; emergence of life ; evolution ; non-equilibrium thermodynamics ; panspermia ; protometabolism ; reduction ; RNA world ; self-organization
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Philosophy
    Notes: Abstract This paper calls attention to a philosophical presupposition, coined here “the continuity thesis” which underlies and unites the different, often conflicting, hypotheses in the origin of life field. This presupposition, a necessary condition for any scientific investigation of the origin of life problem, has two components. First, it contends that there is no unbridgeable gap between inorganic matter and life. Second, it regards the emergence of life as a highly probable process. Examining several current origin-of-life theories. I indicate the implicit or explicit role played by the “continuity thesis” in each of them. In addition, I identify the rivals of the “thesis” within the scientific community — “the almost miracle camp.” Though adopting the anti-vitalistic aspect of the “continuity thesis”, this camp regards the emergence of life as involving highly improbable events. Since it seems that the chemistry of the prebiotic stages and of molecular self-organization processes rules out the possibility that life is the result of a “happy accident,” I claim that the “almost miracle” view implies in fact, a creationist position.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
Close ⊗
This website uses cookies and the analysis tool Matomo. More information can be found here...