Silicon and Siliceous Structures in Biological Systems

Silicon and Siliceous Structures in Biological Systems PDF Author: T.L. Simpson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461259444
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 589

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Book Description
The publication of this book was undertaken with two purposes in view: to bring together informatian on the deposition by living organ isms of unique skeletal structures composed of amorphous silica, and to review recent data on the involvement of silicon in physiological and biochemical processes. Although widely varying viewpoints are represented, all the contributors are very interested in the events in volved in the formatian of siliceaus structures and their function. Data presented deal with these questions in a variety of plant and animal systems, and at levels ranging from the evolutionary to the biochemical and ultrastructural. Innovations in electron microscopy and, indeed, the advent of electron microscopy itself, have stimulated many ultra structural studies of silica deposition, work which has deepened and widened the interest in those organisms which routinely produce "glassy skeletons. " The question of how silicon participates in biological systems in volves a spectrum of fields that indudes the chemistry of silicon per se, its biogeochemistry, biochemistry, ecology, and so forth. In this book, however, attention is focused up on the biological aspects of silicon and siliceous structures, with emphasis on the evolutian, phylogeny, morphology, and distribution of siliceaus structures, on the cellular as peets of silica deposition, and on the physiological and biochemical roles of silicon. This volume represents the first compilatian of such data. Because such a variety of subjects and fields are covered, the reader will have to glean for himself some of the comparative aspects of the data.

Silicon and Siliceous Structures in Biological Systems

Silicon and Siliceous Structures in Biological Systems PDF Author: T.L. Simpson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461259444
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 589

Get Book Here

Book Description
The publication of this book was undertaken with two purposes in view: to bring together informatian on the deposition by living organ isms of unique skeletal structures composed of amorphous silica, and to review recent data on the involvement of silicon in physiological and biochemical processes. Although widely varying viewpoints are represented, all the contributors are very interested in the events in volved in the formatian of siliceaus structures and their function. Data presented deal with these questions in a variety of plant and animal systems, and at levels ranging from the evolutionary to the biochemical and ultrastructural. Innovations in electron microscopy and, indeed, the advent of electron microscopy itself, have stimulated many ultra structural studies of silica deposition, work which has deepened and widened the interest in those organisms which routinely produce "glassy skeletons. " The question of how silicon participates in biological systems in volves a spectrum of fields that indudes the chemistry of silicon per se, its biogeochemistry, biochemistry, ecology, and so forth. In this book, however, attention is focused up on the biological aspects of silicon and siliceous structures, with emphasis on the evolutian, phylogeny, morphology, and distribution of siliceaus structures, on the cellular as peets of silica deposition, and on the physiological and biochemical roles of silicon. This volume represents the first compilatian of such data. Because such a variety of subjects and fields are covered, the reader will have to glean for himself some of the comparative aspects of the data.

Nano Structure of Silica in Biological Systems

Nano Structure of Silica in Biological Systems PDF Author: Kamatchi Lakshminarayanan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description


Silicon-based Materials in Biological Environments

Silicon-based Materials in Biological Environments PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The liberation of poly(dimethylsiloxane) fluid, from the inside of silicone breast implants by diffusion and/or implant rupture, has been associated with a variety of rheumatologic disorders in patients who have received them. Continued use of these materials necessitates a better understanding of how they are created and/or utilized by biological systems. In order to determine if a fibrinogen-dependent process could play a role in the dissemination of PDMS fluid in vivo, I used histological methods in conjunction with ICP-AES to assess the dissemination of silicone droplets in normal mice and in mice lacking fibrinogen. I found that mice lacking fibrinogen had no evidence of dissemination after an administration of emulsified PDMS. In contrast, mice with normal amounts of fibrinogen showed significant evidence of dissemination, suggesting that fibrinogen has a mechanistic role on the dissemination of PDMS in vivo. I also investigated a model biological system capable of processing silicon in nature. Marine diatoms use short cationic peptides to synthesize silica. I hypothesized that if the human body was capable of silicone degradation, such peptide sequences or the key residues therein might be involved. Therefore, I characterized the reaction kinetics and resulting product morphology attributed to several silica-precipitating peptide sequences derived from the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis in order to better understand how biologic systems process silicon. During the course of my investigations, I used the model system to produce novel silica nano-structures and incorporate them into polymeric matrices for device application. Herein I present my research on silicon-based materials and its relevance to bioengineering. The topics covered by my research include: (1) the role of fibrinogen in the dissemination of PDMS in vivo, (2) the kinetics of silica formation mediated by cationic peptides in vitro, (3) the formation of novel silica nanostructures by those same peptides and (4) the development and characterization of a silica-containing organic/inorganic hybrid material utilizing a silica-precipitating peptide.

Silicon Biomineralization

Silicon Biomineralization PDF Author: Werner E. G. Müller
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642554865
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Book Description
During evolution silica deposition has been used in Protozoa, Metazoa and in plants as skeletal elements. It appears that the mechanisms for the formation of biogenic silica have evolved independently in these three taxa. In Protozoa and plants biosilicification appears to be primarily driven by non-enzymatic processes and procedes on organic matrices. In contrast, in sponges (phylum Porifera) this process is mediated by enzymes; the initiation of this process is likewise dependent on organic matrices. In this monograph the role of biosilica as stabilizing structures in different organisms is reviewed and their role for morphogenetic processes is outlined. It provides an up-to-date summary of the mechanisms by which polymeric biosilica is formed. The volume is intended for biologists, biochemists and molecular biologists, involved in the understanding of structure formation in living organisms and will also be very useful for scientists working in the field of applied Nanotechnology and Nanobiotechnology.

Biochemistry of Silicon and Related Problems

Biochemistry of Silicon and Related Problems PDF Author: Gerd Bendz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461340187
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 585

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Book Description
Silicon chemistry was initiated in 1823 by Berzelius who prepared elemental silicon. In many ways silicon was considered a typical opposite of carbon, although the two elements are closely related as to their electronic structure, both having four valence electrons. The properties of their compounds are, however, extreme ly different. Both form extended structures, but in different ways - carbon by covalent carbon-carbon bonds; silicon by polar silicon- -oxygen-silicon bonds. The complex carbon compounds are integral parts of all living matter, plants and animals. The corresponding silicon compounds build up a major part of dead matter, soils and minerals. As recently as twenty years ago the title of this Symposium, "BiOChemistry of Silicon", would have been considered as contradictio in adjecto. However, the development in the field has, during the past fifteen years, been overwhelming and has convinced us that silicon is a necessary element in the life processes, for animals as well as for plants. Interesting therapeutical uses have been suggested, but we have also become increasingly aware of serious occupational diseases - asbestosis and silicosis - and of possible cancerogenic effects. It is our hope that this volume will give some idea about various aspects of silicon compounds which were discussed during the Symposium.

The Protistan Cell Surface

The Protistan Cell Surface PDF Author: Richard Wetherbee
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3709193788
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 297

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Book Description
Protists represent an immensely diverse group of organisms comprised of algae, fungi and protozoa. The nature of protistan cell surface is as diverse as the terminology that has evolved to describe the various surface components. This terminology is defined and discussed in the opening of this book. The remaining contributions provide an up-to-date synopsis of structure, development and function of protistan cell surfaces, including their role in taxonomy and systematics.

Silicon Biochemistry

Silicon Biochemistry PDF Author: David Evered
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470513330
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.

Origin, Evolution, and Modern Aspects of Biomineralization in Plants and Animals

Origin, Evolution, and Modern Aspects of Biomineralization in Plants and Animals PDF Author: Rex E. Crick
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1475761147
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 532

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Book Description
The Fifth International Biomineralization Symposium was held in May 1986 at The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas. The chosen theme was the origin, evolution and modern aspects of biomineralization in plants and animals. Thus, the symposium was designed to bring together experts in ocean and atmospheric chemistry, geochemistry, paleontology, biology, medicine and related fields to share accumulated knowledge and to broaden research horizons. The contents of this volume reflect the diversified interests and views of contributors from these fields. Topics range from contrasting views of the origin of ocean chemistry, the cause or causes for the biomineralization among plants and animals, the evolution of style and structure of biomineralization, and the role of inorganic and organic compounds in biomineraliza tion. It was clear from those gathered in Arlington that the efforts of all researchers in any aspect of biomineralization can be strengthened and extended by greater exposure to the work of others in allied fields. At the time of this printing, several collaborative efforts have grown from interest and contacts developed during the symposium. Rex E. Crick viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The symposium would not have occurred with the financial support of The Organized Research Fund of The University of Texas at Arlington and The Sea Grant Program administered by Texas A & M University. The staff of the Department of Geology of The University of Texas at Arlington were largely responsible for providing a pleasant atmosphere for learning.

 PDF Author: Humphrey John Moule Bowen
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
ISBN: 0851867758
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 156

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Book Description
Reflecting the growing volume of published work in this field, researchers will find this book an invaluable source of information on current methods and applications.

Secretions and Exudates in Biological Systems

Secretions and Exudates in Biological Systems PDF Author: Jorge M. Vivanco
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642230474
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 284

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Book Description
Secretions and emissions in biological systems play important signaling roles within the organism but also in its communications with the surrounding environment. This volume brings together state-of-the-art information on the role of secretions and emissions in different organs and organisms ranging from flowers and roots of plants to nematodes and human organs. The plant chapters relate information regarding the biochemistry of flower volatiles and root exudates, and their role in attracting pollinators and soil microbial communities respectively. Microbial chapters explain the biochemistry and ecology of quorum sensing and how microbial communities highly co-adapted to plants can aid in bio-energy applications by degrading ligno-cellulosic materials. Other chapters explain the biology of secretions by nematodes, algae and humans, among other organisms. This volume will be a welcome addition to the literature, as no other book covers aspects related to biological secretion in such a holistic and integrative manner.