Cellulose and Other Natural Polymer Systems Biogenesis, Structure, and Degradation

The concept for a treatise covering selected natural polymer systems was initiated during a national meeting in cell biology in 1978. The challenge to the editor was to organize a book dealing principally but not exclusively with cellulose. A brief background may help to provide the reader with information to understand the reasons for the specific selections within this volume. better During the past decade, we have witnessed significant changes in the sciences as well as the day-to-day life styles of our citizens. It will not be forgotten that during the early seventies, a significant change was to take many Americans by surprise. The oil embargo on The United States caused unexpected shortages of fuels. The long gasoline lines impressed in the minds of Americans that our energy-rich future with non-renewable resources is limited. The modelling of ecosystems, population growth, urban development, etc., have continued to raise our awareness that life on earth, including renewable resources, is indeed fragile. Contrary to popular belief, even wood and wood products are not limitless.

I. Biogenesis.- 1 A Cytological Model of Cellulose Biogenesis in the Alga Oocystis apiculata.- 2 Organized Microfibril Assembly in Higher Plant Cells.- 3 Cell-Wall Formation in Fucus Zygotes: A Model System to Study the Assembly and Localization of Wall Polymers.- 4 Cell-Wall Regeneration by Protoplasts Isolated from Higher Plants.- 5 Cellulose-Microfibril Assembly and Orientation in Higher Plant Cells with Particular Reference to Seedlings of Zea mays.- 6 Microfibril-Tip Growth and the Development of Pattern in Cell Walls.- 7 The Role of the Golgi Apparatus in the Biosynthesis of Natural Polymer Systems with Particular Reference to Cellulose.- 8 Interaction of Cell-Wall Formation and Cell Division in Higher Plant Cells.- 9 Callose-Deposit Formation in Radish Root Hairs.- 10 Chitin-Fibril Formation in Algae.- 11 Synthesis of Chitin Microfibrils in Vitro.- 12 Cellulose Synthesis in Detached Cotton Fibers.- 13 The Control of Molecular Weight and Molecular-Weight Distribution in the Biogenesis of Cellulose.- 14 Biogenesis of Cellulose I Microfibrils Occurs by Cell-Directed Self-Assembly in Acetobacter xylinum.- 15 A Study of the Polymerization Kinetics of Bacterial Cellulose through Gel-Permeation Chromatography.- 16 Does ?-Glucan Synthesis Need a Primer?.- 17 Intermediates of Cellulose Synthesis in Acetobacter.- 18 Protein Glycosylation in Higher Plants: Recent Developments.- II. Structure.- 19 The Structure of Cellulose Microfibrils in Valonia.- 20 The Macromolecular Organization of Cellulose and Chitin.- 21 Comparisons between Synthetic and Natural Microfiber Systems.- III. Degradation.- 22 ?-Glucanases in Higher Plants: Localization, Potential Functions, and Regulation.- 23 Visualization of Cellulases and Cellulose Degradation.