Photosynthesis

by K.K. Rao and D.O. Hall

Book Overview

As in previous editions, the authors include basic descriptive ideas on the process of photosynthesis, an historical outline as to how these ideas developed, the current ststua in our understanding of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521644976
• ISBN13: 9780521644976
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent

Of extreme importance for all life on this planet, photosynthesis is one of the most widely studied topics in the physiology of plants. This book gives a fine overview of the subject and is suitable for readers who have some background in botany. It could though be read profitably by anyone, from those students intending to specialize in botany, as well as those who are curious as to the workings of photosynthesis. With serious discussion and research now being done in bringing about "artificial" photosynthesis, anyone interested in these kinds of developments will need to first have a solid grounding in the mechanisms behind photosynthesis in plants. The authors are selective in what topics are covered in detail, but by far the most interesting part of the book is chapter 8, which overviews some of the latest research in photosynthesis (they don't discuss any of the research in artificial synthesis though). One of the first topics discussed is the research that indicates that PSII might alone be able to initiate electron transfer from water to NADP and carbon dioxide fixation, this taking place in a mutant version of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The authors are careful to point out that the complete absence of PSI in this system has not been established. Still another interesting topic in this chapter concerns the determination of how chloroplasts develop via colorless organelles called `etioplasts'. The authors unfortunately do not spend too much time on this topic, but it is an excellent example of light-induced control of the transcription of genes, these genes encoding the proteins that control the transition from etioplast to chloroplast. This is followed by a somewhat more detailed discussion of chloroplast genetics, with the genetic map of the rice chloroplast given as an example. Mentioned also is the work currently done in the genetic engineering of the chloroplast, with the example of the green alga, which has been engineered to be deficient in PSII, PSI, ATP synthase, etc. The genetic engineering of the chloroplast shows some promise in alleviating the concerns of some who point to dangers in the development of transgenic plants, the latter topic of which is also discussed in this chapter. Instead of inserting transgenes into a plant genome, they are inserted into the genome of the chloroplast. Some researchers have claimed that such an approach will not be subject to the `gene silencing' problem that would make the resulting transgene expression unstable. Other researchers though have remained skeptical, and have pointed to other gene silencing mechanisms that might in be even more prevalent in the genetic engineering of the chloroplast. Either way these issues need more investigation, both from the standpoint of scientific curiosity and from an environmental one.

A superb dissertation on all aspects of Photosynthesis.

This book presents all aspects of photysynthesis in a fairly detailed manner. The material here covers everything form mitochondrial structure to phytochromes. There is just enough information here to keep the material brisk yet cogent. There are numerous charts and good quality illustrations. The electron transport cycle and phosphorylation sections deserve special mention for their beauty and usefulness. The 'Research in Photosynthesis' chapter is very good, except that I have the fifth edition (1994),and my guess is the material may be quite dated. I highly recommend this book for an under-graduate course in photosynthesis. If you wish to know what photosynthesis is and the why and how of an important biological function buy this book. Over and above being a very good biology book the discourse is presented in a elegant manner.

A very nice book

This is a nice book. Small but complete. A pleasure to read. I suggest it for anyone that want know enough on the photosynthesis. The tables on the potentials are very useful. Some nice plates are included and a lot of historical notes too. Also, there are many illustrations that make the book valuable. A complete "Further reading" close the book. I now begin the fifth reading of the book just for enjoy myself.