Photosynthesis in Algae

This book introduces the reader to algal diversity as currently understood and then traces the photosynthetic structures and mechanisms that contribute so much to making the algae unique. Indeed the field is now so large that no one expert can hope to cover it all. The 19 articles are each written by experts in their area; ranging over all the essential aspects and making for a comprehensive coverage of the whole field. Important developments in molecular biology, especially transformation mutants in Chlamydomonas, are dealt with, as well as areas important to global climate change, carbon dioxide exchange, light harvesting, energy transduction, biotechnology and many others. The book is intended for use by graduate students and beginning researchers in the areas of molecular and cell biology, integrative biology, plant biology, biochemistry and biophysics, biotechnology, global ecology, and phycology.

Introductory Chapters.- 1 The Algae and their General Characteristics.- 2 Algal Plastids: Their Fine Structure and Properties.- 3 The Photosynthetic Apparatus of Chlorophyll b- and d-Containing Oxyphotobacteria.- Molecular Genetics of Algae.- 4 Structure and Regulation of Algal Light-Harvesting Complex Genes.- 5 Functional Analysis of Plastid Genes through Chloroplast Reverse Genetics in Chlamydomonas.- 6 Biochemistry and Regulation of Chlorophyll Biosynthesis.- Biochemistry and Physiology of Algae.- 7 Oxygenic Photosynthesis in Algae and Cyanobacteria: Electron Transfer in Photosystems I and II.- 8 Oxygen Consumption: Photorespiration and Chlororespiration.- 9 The Water-Water Cycle in Algae.- 10 Carbohydrate Metabolism and Respiration in Algae.- 11 Carbon Acquisition Mechanisms of Algae: Carbon Dioxide Diffusion and Carbon Dioxide Concentrating Mechanisms.- Light-Harvesting Systems in Algae.- 12 Modeling the Excitation Energy Capture inThylakoid Membranes.- 13 Light-Harvesting Systems in Algae.- 14 Red, Cryptomonad and Glaucocystophyte Algal Phycobiliproteins.- 15 Carotenoids of Light Harvesting Systems: Energy Transfer Processes from Fucoxanthin and Peridinin to Chlorophyll.- General Aspects of Photosynthesis in Algae.- 16 Photoinhibition, UV-B and Algal Photosynthesis.- 17 Adaptation, Acclimation and Regulation in Algal Photosynthesis.- 18 Photosynthesis in Marine Macroalgae.- 19 Photosynthesis in Symbiotic Algae.