Advances in Comparative and Environmental Physiology

1 Neuronal Control of Osmoregulatory Responses in Gastropods.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Invertebrate Neurons and Osmotic Stress.- 3 Neuromodulation of Osmoregulatory Responses.- References.- 2 Chemosensory Systems in Lower Organisms: Correlations with Internal Receptor Systems for Neurotransmitters and Hormones.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Chemosensory Systems of Slime Molds, Protozoa, and Yeast.- 3 Marine Larvae: Factors Affecting Settlement and Metamorphosis.- 4 Crustaceans: Chemosensory Systems for Adenine Nucleotides.- 5 Conclusions.- References.- 3 Metallothionein and Metallothionein-Like Proteins: Physiological Importance.- 1 Introduction.- 2 History.- 3 Chemical and Biochemical Characteristics of Metallothioneins.- 4 Metal-Binding Affinities of Mammalian MTs.- 5 Aspects of Metallothionein Function.- 6 Concluding Remarks.- References.- 4 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Techniques for the Study of Cellular Function.- 1 Noninvasive Approaches to the Study of Cellular Metabolism.- 2 Principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.- 3 In Vivo Measurement of Proton and Inorganic Ion Levels.- 4 In Vivo Measurement of Intracellular Metabolite Levels.- 5 Measurement of Kinetic Processes by NMR Spectroscopy.- 6 Special Applications of NMR Spectroscopy in the Investigation of Biological Problems.- 7 Conclusions.- References.- 5 Effects of Temperature on Muscular Function and Locomotory Performance in Teleost Fish.- 1 Introduction.- 2 The Propulsion Apparatus.- 3 Performance Characteristics at the Molecular Level: Contractile Proteins.- 4 Adaptations to Temperature at the Tissue and Cellular Levels.- 5 Whole Animal Swimming Performance.- 6 The Interaction Between Organism and Environment: Propulsion at Different Temperatures.- 7 Recapitulation and Conclusions.- References.- 6 Prostaglandins (Eicosanoids) and Their Role in Ectothermic Organisms.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Precursors of Prostaglandins.- 3 Release of the Substrate for Eicosanoid Synthesis.- 4 Factors that Influence Eicosanoid Synthesis.- 5 Cyclooxygenase Products.- 6 Lipoxygenase Products.- 7 Quantitative Determination of Prostaglandins, Thromboxanes, and Leukotrienes.- 8 Occurrence, Distribution, and Release of Eicosanoids.- 9 Physiological Significance.- 10 Modulation of Fluid and Electrolyte Fluxes.- 11 Cardiovascular System.- 12 Reproductive Functions.- 13 Prostaglandins and Reproduction in Fish Species.- 14 Prostaglandins and the Nervous System.- 15 Perspectives.- References.- 7 Maternal-Fetal Trophic and Respiratory Relationships in Viviparous Ectothermic Vertebrates.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Chondrichthyan Fish.- 3 Bony Fish.- 4 The Amphibians.- 5 Reptiles.- 6 Conclusions.- References.