Pollen
Biology Biochemistry Management
1st Edition
Published on 10. December 1974
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-3-540-06827-3 (ISBN)
Description
Pollen transmits the male genetic material in sexual reproduction of all higher plants. This same pollen is also well suited as a research tool for studying many patterns of plant and animal metabolism. In addition, an increased knowledge of pollen may help plant breeders accelerate efforts to improve the world's food and fiber supply. This volume focuses upon pollen biology and chemistry; it attempts to inte- grate these facts with management practices involved in pollen applications. People have long been involved with pollen. Pollen applications are recorded in the rites of ancient civilizations (see Frontispiece). From the earliest times many benefits have been attributed to the inclusion of pollen in man's diet; also, since the mid-19th century air-borne pollen has been recognized as detrimental to many people's health. Disciplines concerned with man's cultural history and the earth's changing ecology find pollen a particularly useful and accessible tool. Identifiable parts of pollen have survived over 100 million years.
But most books dealing with pollen are generally concerned with the identification of the plant source, an aspect of the science of palynology; other books emphasize the natural vectors transmit- ting pollen, the pollination mechanisms. Very few works include the biochem- istry or biology of pollen. Yet extensive studies by physicians, as well as plant breeders and apiculturists, have contributed a sizeable body of research relating to pollen.
But most books dealing with pollen are generally concerned with the identification of the plant source, an aspect of the science of palynology; other books emphasize the natural vectors transmit- ting pollen, the pollination mechanisms. Very few works include the biochem- istry or biology of pollen. Yet extensive studies by physicians, as well as plant breeders and apiculturists, have contributed a sizeable body of research relating to pollen.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Berlin
Germany
Publishing group
Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Research
Weight
700 gr
ISBN-13
978-3-540-06827-3 (9783540068273)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Content
I. Biology.- 1. Development.- Terminology.- Development Pattern.- Induction of Meiosis.- Induction of Polarity.- Differentiation of Pollen Grain Nuclei.- Origin of the Sperm Cells.- 2. Wall Formation.- Pollen Mother Cell Wall.- Partition Walls in Microsporocytes.- Plasma Connections between Microsporocytes.- Wall Development.- Pollen Wall as a Living Structure.- 3. Dehiscence, Size and Distribution.- Dehiscence.- Size Range.- Quantity Produced.- Distribution.- II. Management.- 4. Collection and Uses.- Purpose and Quantities Collected.- Non-seed Forming Uses.- Species Effect on Pollen Collection.- Collecting Methods.- 5. Storage.- Factors Affecting Viability in Storage.- Freeze-drying of Pollen.- Causes of Decreased Viability in Storage.- Testing Methods.- 6. Viability Tests.- Germination Tests.- Non-germination Assays.- Comparison of Viability Tests.- 7. Nutritive Role.- Bees.- The Pollen Collecting Process.- The Pollen Pellet.- Storage of Pollen in the Hive.- Digestion of Pollen.- Nutritive Value of Pollen for the Honey Bee.- Pollen Substitutes.- Pollen in Analysis of Honey.- Other Animals.- Human Consumption.- III. Biochemistry.- 8. General Chemistry.- Gross Chemical Analysis.- Minerals.- Boron in Pollen and Floral Organs.- Role and Distribution.- 9. Carbohydrates and Cell Walls.- Low Molecular Weight Sugars and Related Compounds.- Starch Content.- Callose.- Pectin and Other Polysaccharides.- Cellulose and Sporopollenin.- Pollen Destruction in Nature.- 10. Organic Acids, Lipids and Sterols.- Total Lipids.- Fatty Acids.- Alcohols and Long Chain Hydrocarbons.- 11. Amino Acids and Proteins.- Free Amino Acids.- Amino Acids by Hydrolysis.- Proteins.- Serological Reactions.- 12. Pollinosis.- Plant Sources.- Allergens.- Testing Human Reactions to Pollen.- Persorption.- 13. Nucleic Acids.- Nucleic Acids in Mature Pollen.- Nucleic Acids during Pollen Development.- Nucleic Acids during Germination.- Nucleotide Base Composition.- 14. Enzymes and Cofactors.- Methods of Detection.- Activities Detected.- Sources of Variation.- Cofactors.- Localization and Function.- 15. Pollen Pigments.- Carotenoids.- Flavonoids.- 16. Growth Regulators.- Historical Background.- Auxins.- Brassins.- Gibberellins.- Kinins.- Ethylene.- Inhibitors.- Sources of Variation.- Roles.- References.