Plant Biochemistry

Front Cover
Academic Press, 2005 - Medical - 630 pages

This fully revised translation of the world-renowned German edition covers the complete and modern knowledge of plant biochemistry. The book presents the topic in a concise and simplified manner so that students can digest the message and gain a basic knowledge of the entire field of plant biochemistry, from photosynthesis (the synthesis of natural plant products) to all kinds of genetic engineering with its many commercial applications. Topics include cell structure and function, lipid and polysaccharide metabolism, nitrogen fixation, phloem transport, synthesis and function of isoprenoids, phenylpropanoids and other secondary metabolites, plant growth regulation and development. Heldt provides a comprehensive description of photosynthesis, primary and secondary metabolism, the function of phytohormones and molecular engineering. The text covers research findings until the end of 2003 and identifies areas of future research. There are extensive references to the most recent scientific literature.

* Illustrated with two-color diagrams and well designed metabolic schemes
* Plant metabolism presented in the context of the structure and function of the plant
* Many examples of commercial applications for the protection and quality improvement of harvest crops, plant breeding, and the production of raw materials for industrial use
* Coverage of the latest research findings
 

Contents

Chapter 1 A leaf cell consists of several metabolic compartments
1
Chapter 2 The use of energy from sunlight by photosynthesis is the basis of life on earth
45
Chapter 3 Photosynthesis is an electron transport process
67
Chapter 4 ATP is generated by photosynthesis
115
Chapter 5 Mitochondria are the power station of the cell
135
Chapter 6 The Calvin cycle catalyzes photosynthetic CO2 assimilation
165
Chapter 7 In the photorespiratory pathway phosphoglycolate formed by the oxygenase activity of RubisCo is recycled
195
Chapter 8 Photosynthesis implies the consumption of water
213
Chapter 13 Phloem transport distributes photoassimilates to the various sites of consumption and storage
339
Chapter 14 Products of nitrate assimilation are deposited in plants as storage proteins
353
Chapter 15 Glycerolipids are membrane constituents and function as carbon stores
363
Chapter 16 Secondary metabolites fulfill specific ecological functions in plants
403
Chapter 17 A large diversity of isoprenoids has multiple functions in plant metabolism
413
Chapter 18 Phenylpropanoids comprise a multitude of plant secondary metabolites and cell wall components
435
Chapter 19 Multiple signals regulate the growth and development of plant organs and enable their adaptation to environmental conditions
455
Chapter 20 A plant cell has three different genomes
491

Chapter 9 Polysaccharides are storage and transport forms of carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis
243
Chapter 10 Nitrate assimilation is essential for the synthesis of organic matter
275
Chapter 11 Nitrogen fixation enables the nitrogen in the air to be used for plant growth
309
Chapter 12 Sulfate assimilation enables the synthesis of sulfurcontaining substances
325
Chapter 21 Protein biosynthesis occurs at different sites of a cell
531
Chapter 22 Gene technology makes it possible to alter plants to meet requirements of agriculture nutrition and industry
557
Index
595
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2005)

Hans-Walter Heldt was a professor at the University of Göttingen in the Department of Biochemistry of the plant. He is co-authored over 250 scientific publications and is the co-author of the textbook, Plant Biochemistry. In 1993, he was awarded the Max Planck Research Award together with Marshall Davidson Hatch. Since 1990, he has been a full member of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences.