Dictyostelium Evolution, Cell Biology, and the Development of Multicellularity [Paperback]

Examines the modern synthesis of the biology of Dictyostelia, including both classical methods and modern molecular findings.Known as the social amoebae, Dictyostelia have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids, this book considers the problems of the evolution of this multicellular organism. Characterized by its ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, each stage of this development is treated in a separate chapter. The special properties of the Dictyostelid genome are rigorously analyzed. Throughout, the emphasis is on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings. This book represents the only modern synthesis of such material.Known as the social amoebae, Dictyostelia have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids, this book considers the problems of the evolution of this multicellular organism. Characterized by its ability to transform from a single-celled organism into an elaborate assemblage of thousands of synchronously-moving cells, each stage of this development is treated in a separate chapter. The special properties of the Dictyostelid genome are rigorously analyzed. Throughout, the emphasis is on combining classical experiments with modern molecular findings. This book represents the only modern synthesis of such material.The Dictyostelia are soil amoebae capable of extraordinary feats of survival, motility, chemotaxis, and development. Known as the social amoebae, these organisms have been the subjects of serious study since the 1930s. Research in this area has been instrumental in shaping general views of differentiation, morphogenesis, and communication. Beginning with the history of Dictyostelids, this book considers the problems of the evolution of this multicellular organism. Characterized by its ability to transform from a single-lcb