Photosynthesis (Studies in Biology) [Paperback]

David Hall (Author), Krishna Rao (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521436222 | ISBN-13: 978-0521436229 | Publication Date: July 29, 1994 | Edition: 5

The authors present a new edition of their highly successful introductory textbook. The book has been enlarged and fully revised. Through clear and concise text, attractive presentation and the use of beautiful colour plates, the biology student is drawn into this fascinating introduction to the photosynthetic process. The authors discuss photosynthesis at both a macro and molecular level, placing new ideas in the context of past, present and future research. The role of photosynthesis as a source of food and fuel is highlighted. The student is also encouraged to think practically with a useful chapter on simple laboratory experiments. The book will appeal to students and teachers of biology from those doing A-levels to undergraduate degrees.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I think I have every edition of this classic since Hall and Rao wrote the first one in 1972. I have stolen many lectures from it and have recommended it to legions of students. This is a book aimed at students with some knowledge of biology and chemistry, and it is an extremely good source for a graduate student just beginning work in photosynthesis....What is impressive is the amount of information that has been packed into this slim volume. A bravura performance." Harvard Lyman, Quarterly Review of Biology

Book Description

The process of the conversion of sunlight into food by plants (photosynthesis) is fundamental to all life on this planet. All students of biology need to understand this process in detail. This book treats photosynthesis in a simple methodical manner and explains complex concepts in an interesting and user-friendly way. It helps the student to think practically about the subjectand launches the reader towards the next stage in their understanding of plant biology. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 225 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 5 edition (July 29, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521436222
• ISBN-13: 978-0521436229
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,282,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb dissertation on all aspects of Photosynthesis., September 20, 2000

By 

Kersi Von Zerububbel "Kersi" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Photosynthesis (Studies in Biology) (Paperback)

This book presents all aspects of photysynthesis in a fairly detailed manner. The material here covers everything form mitochondrial structure to phytochromes. There is just enough information here to keep the material brisk yet cogent. There are numerous charts and good quality illustrations. The electron transport cycle and phosphorylation sections deserve special mention for their beauty and usefulness. The 'Research in Photosynthesis' chapter is very good, except that I have the fifth edition (1994),and my guess is the material may be quite dated. I highly recommend this book for an under-graduate course in photosynthesis. If you wish to know what photosynthesis is and the why and how of an important biological function buy this book. Over and above being a very good biology book the discourse is presented in a elegant manner.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 16, 2004

By 

Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Photosynthesis (Studies in Biology) (Paperback)

Of extreme importance for all life on this planet, photosynthesis is one of the most widely studied topics in the physiology of plants. This book gives a fine overview of the subject and is suitable for readers who have some background in botany. It could though be read profitably by anyone, from those students intending to specialize in botany, as well as those who are curious as to the workings of photosynthesis. With serious discussion and research now being done in bringing about "artificial" photosynthesis, anyone interested in these kinds of developments will need to first have a solid grounding in the mechanisms behind photosynthesis in plants.

The authors are selective in what topics are covered in detail, but by far the most interesting part of the book is chapter 8, which overviews some of the latest research in photosynthesis (they don't discuss any of the research in artificial synthesis though). One of the first topics discussed is the research that indicates that PSII might alone be able to initiate electron transfer from water to NADP and carbon dioxide fixation, this taking place in a mutant version of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The authors are careful to point out that the complete absence of PSI in this system has not been established.

Still another interesting topic in this chapter concerns the determination of how chloroplasts develop via colorless organelles called `etioplasts'. The authors unfortunately do not spend too much time on this topic, but it is an excellent example of light-induced control of the transcription of genes, these genes encoding the proteins that control the transition from etioplast to chloroplast. This is followed by a somewhat more detailed discussion of chloroplast genetics, with the genetic map of the rice chloroplast given as an example. Mentioned also is the work currently done in the genetic engineering of the chloroplast, with the example of the green alga, which has been engineered to be deficient in PSII, PSI, ATP synthase, etc. The genetic engineering of the chloroplast shows some promise in alleviating the concerns of some who point to dangers in the development of transgenic plants, the latter topic of which is also discussed in this chapter. Instead of inserting transgenes into a plant genome, they are inserted into the genome of the chloroplast. Some researchers have claimed that such an approach will not be subject to the `gene silencing' problem that would make the resulting transgene expression unstable. Other researchers though have remained skeptical, and have pointed to other gene silencing mechanisms that might in be even more prevalent in the genetic engineering of the chloroplast. Either way these issues need more investigation, both from the standpoint of scientific curiosity and from an environmental one.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very nice book, February 13, 2000

By 

BENNARDO FRANCESCO (CASTROLIBERO (CS) ITALY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Photosynthesis (Studies in Biology) (Paperback)

This is a nice book. Small but complete. A pleasure to read. I suggest it for anyone that want know enough on the photosynthesis. The tables on the potentials are very useful. Some nice plates are included and a lot of historical notes too. Also, there are many illustrations that make the book valuable. A complete "Further reading" close the book. I now begin the fifth reading of the book just for enjoy myself.