Photosynthesis in Algae, 2003 Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration Series, Vol. 14

This is a book for everyone interested in photosynthesis. The algae are a fascinating group of photosynthetic organisms ranging from some of the largest organisms on our planet down to the microscopic. Much of their diversity rests on their wide-ranging photosynthetic systems. Yet despite an explosion in our knowledge over the last decade, there has been no single book devoted to detailed aspects of algal photosynthesis for over twenty-five years. This book introduces the reader to algal diversity as currently understood and then traces the photosynthetic structures and mechanisms that contribute so much to making the algae unique. Indeed the field is now so large that no one expert can hope to cover it all. The 19 articles are each written by experts in their area, ranging over all the essential aspects and making for a comprehensive coverage of the whole field. Important developments in molecular biology, especially transformation mutants in Chlamydomonas, are dealt with, as well as areas important to global climate change, carbon dioxide exchange, light harvesting, energy transduction, biotechnology and many others. The book is intended for use by graduate students and beginning researchers in the areas of molecular and cell biology, integrative biology, plant biology, biochemistry and biophysics, biotechnology, global ecology, and phycology.

Introductory Chapters.- 1 The Algae and their General Characteristics.- 2 Algal Plastids: Their Fine Structure and Properties.- 3 The Photosynthetic Apparatus of Chlorophyll b- and d-Containing Oxyphotobacteria.- Molecular Genetics of Algae.- 4 Structure and Regulation of Algal Light-Harvesting Complex Genes.- 5 Functional Analysis of Plastid Genes through Chloroplast Reverse Genetics in Chlamydomonas.- 6 Biochemistry and Regulation of Chlorophyll Biosynthesis.- Biochemistry and Physiology of Algae.- 7 Oxygenic Photosynthesis in Algae and Cyanobacteria: Electron Transfer in Photosystems I and II.- 8 Oxygen Consumption: Photorespiration and Chlororespiration.- 9 The Water-Water Cycle in Algae.- 10 Carbohydrate Metabolism and Respiration in Algae.- 11 Carbon Acquisition Mechanisms of Algae: Carbon Dioxide Diffusion and Carbon Dioxide Concentrating Mechanisms.- Light-Harvesting Systems in Algae.- 12 Modeling the Excitation Energy Capture inThylakoid Membranes.- 13 Light-Harvesting Systems in Algae.- 14 Red, Cryptomonad and Glaucocystophyte Algal Phycobiliproteins.- 15 Carotenoids of Light Harvesting Systems: Energy Transfer Processes from Fucoxanthin and Peridinin to Chlorophyll.- General Aspects of Photosynthesis in Algae.- 16 Photoinhibition, UV-B and Algal Photosynthesis.- 17 Adaptation, Acclimation and Regulation in Algal Photosynthesis.- 18 Photosynthesis in Marine Macroalgae.- 19 Photosynthesis in Symbiotic Algae.

From the reviews:"The reviewed book belongs ... to the well-known series 'Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration' ... . The book consists of 19 chapters written by well-known photosynthesis researchers working in countries all over the world. ... The book is supplemented with a good subject index. ... The book brings a basic material for every laboratory dealing with algae or light-harvesting complexes." (Z. Sesták, Photosynthetica, 2006)"This book, the 14th volume of the series 'Advances in photosynthesis and respiration' successfully embraces in 479 pages all the major fields within the wide topic of algal photosynthesis. ... The quality of the figures and indeed the execution in general are of high standard. I have no hesitation in recommending the book to undergraduate students and to researchers in diverse fields of algology, plantphysiology, photosynthesis and evolutionary sciences. It can be used equally well as a study book or as a scientific source book." (K. Szabó, Acta Botanica Hungarica, Vol. 46 (3-4), 2004)