Environmental Signal Processing and Adaptation [Paperback]

Animals and plants live in changing environmental conditions which require adaptation in order to cope with this. Some of these environmental changes serve as signals which have to be sensed and interpreted correctly by the organisms to initiate the adaptation. This signal processing is based on biochemical, molecular and neuronal processes which are discussed in this book. All examples given underline that continuous adjustment of physiological functions is an essential requirement for life and survival in complex changing environments.Animals and plants live in changing environmental conditions which require adaptation in order to cope with this. Some of these environmental changes serve as signals which have to be sensed and interpreted correctly by the organisms to initiate the adaptation. This signal processing is based on biochemical, molecular and neuronal processes which are discussed in this book. All examples given underline that continuous adjustment of physiological functions is an essential requirement for life and survival in complex changing environments.1 Environmental Signal Processing and Adaptation.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Acclimation and Adaptation.- 1.3 Biological and Physical Signals for Plants.- 1.4 Symbiontic Signal Exchange.- 1.5 Light Adaptation in Plants.- 1.6 Thioredoxins.- 1.7 Vibratory Signal Processing in Insects.- 1.8 Seasonal Acclimation in Small Mammals.- 1.9 Signal Processing.- 1.10 References.- 2 Communication and Efficiency in the Symbiotic Signal Exchange.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Flavonoids and Isoflavonoids as Signal Molecules from Host Plants.- 2.3 Nod Factors as Signal Molecules from Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Sinorhizobium and Mesorhizobium.- 2.4 Communication and Signal Exchange Between Host Plants and Symbionts: a Summary.- 2.5 Induction of Early nod Genes in the Plants by Inoculation with Rhizobia/Bradyrhizobia.- 2.6 Symbiosis Specific Differentiation of Free-Living Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium Cells to Bacteroids.- 2.7 Nli