Overview

Studies on the biochemical and physiological processes of plant cell walls have yielded startling insights into what has previously been regarded as a passive component of plant structure. This text provides an account of the dynamic molecular events and structural adaptations which play a major role in cell wall physiology and in the overall life of the plant. Its coverage ranges across molecular architecture, function and processes, the role of the cell wall in intercellular transport and inter-organism interaction, degradation, and the problems of future research. A special feature of the book is the inclusion of many specially composed electron micrographs which convey a more detailed appreciation of the ultrastructural complexity of the subject. The book is aimed at all students of plant physiology and biochemistry.

Full Product Details

Author:   C. T. Brett ,  Keith W. Waldron ,  K. Waldon (Food Research Institute, Norwich)
Publisher:   Kluwer Academic Publishers Group
Imprint:   Kluwer Academic Publishers
Volume:   2
Weight:   0.569kg
ISBN:  

9780045810345

ISBN 10:   0045810346
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   January 1990
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Out of stock  

Table of Contents

1 The role of the cell wall in the life of the plant.- 1.1 Summary.- Further reading.- 2 Cell-wall structure and the skeletal functions of the wall.- 2.1 The layered structure of the wall.- 2.2 The microfibrillar phase: cellulose.- 2.3 The matrix phase: introduction.- 2.4 Extraction and classification of matrix polysaccharides.- 2.5 Pectic polysaccharides.- 2.6 Hemicelluloses.- 2.7 Proteins and glycoproteins.- 2.8 Lignin and other phenolic compounds.- 2.9 Cross-links between wall polymers.- 2.10 The cell wall as a set of interlinked networks.- 2.11 Chemical and physical properties of the whole cell wall.- 2.12 Mechanical strength as a specialized property of certain cells.- 2.13 Summary.- Further reading.- 3 Cell-wall formation.- 3.1 Stages of wall formation.- 3.2 Biochemical pathways of wall polysaccharide formation.- 3.3 Biochemical pathways of wall protein formation.- 3.4 Biochemical pathways of lignin formation.- 3.5 Sites of formation of cell-wall polymers.- 3.6 Control of wall formation.- 3.7 Summary.- Further reading.- 4 The cell wall and control of cell growth.- 4.1 Interaction between wall properties and turgor in growth control.- 4.2 The physical properties of the wall under tension.- 4.3 Properties of in vivo wall extension.- 4.4 Control of wall extensibility.- 4.5 Wall turnover.- 4.6 Summary.- Further reading.- 5 The cell wall and intercellular transport.- 5.1 Symplastic and apoplastic transport.- 5.2 Adaptations for impermeability.- 5.3 Special adaptations for transport.- 5.4 Summary.- Further reading.- 6 The cell wall and interactions with other organisms.- 6.1 Pathogens and potential pathogens.- 6.2 Predators.- 6.3 Nodulation and nitrogen fixation.- 6.4 Graft unions.- 6.5 Summary.- Further reading.- 7 The cell wall and reproduction.- 7.1 Pollen mother cells.- 7.2 Pollen-grain walls.- 7.3 Pollen-stigma interactions.- 7.4 The pollen tube.- 7.5 Cell-wall food reserves in seeds.- 7.6 Summary.- Further reading.- 8 Cell-wall degradation.- 8.1 Mobilization of food reserves in seeds.- 8.2 Abscission.- 8.3 Fruit ripening.- 8.4 Degradation by microorganisms.- 8.5 Imological applications.- 8.6 Summary.- Further reading.- 9 Outstanding problems for future research.- 9.1 Summary.- References.

Reviews

In this clearly written and well illustrated book, Brett and Waldron show how research over the past 20 years has revolutionized our view of the plant cell wall ... the authors' [have an] admirably eclectic approach, which touches on areas as diverse as pollen dating, dry rot and mechanical engineering ... Brett and Waldron have provided a readily accessible introduction to all these topics for any plant scientist.' Times Higher Education Supplement ...a reference for the molecular biologist catching up on the structural fundamentals of the cell walls of flowering plants.' Trends in Plant Science

'In this clearly written and well illustrated book, Brett and Waldron show how research over the past 20 years has revolutionized our view of the plant cell wall ... the authors' [have an] admirably eclectic approach, which touches on areas as diverse as pollen dating, dry rot and mechanical engineering ... Brett and Waldron have provided a readily accessible introduction to all these topics for any plant scientist.' Times Higher Education Supplement '...a reference for the molecular biologist catching up on the structural fundamentals of the cell walls of flowering plants.' Trends in Plant Science

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