Nonequilibrium irreversible thermodynamics constitute a meaningful point of view suitable to explore life with a rich paradigm. This analytical framework can be used to span the gap from molecular processes to plant function and shows great promise to create a holistic description of life. Since living organisms dissipate energy, exchange entropy and matter with their environment, they can be a...

Over the last century, plant biology has made remarkable progress, reflected in its greatly improved journals and textbooks. This article summarizes some historically important developments in the study of plant photoreceptors, especially the redabsorbing phytochromes and blue-absorbing flavoproteins, in phytohormones, in cell and tissue culture and in circadian rhythms. Attention is drawn to t...

In the beginning of modern plant biology, plant biologists followed a simple model for their science. This model included important branches of plant biology known then. Of course, plants had to be identified and classified first. Thus, there was much work on taxonomy, genetics, and physiology. Ecology and evolution were approached implicitly, rather than explicitly, through paleobotany, taxono...

Very few substances can waltz right through cell membranes-indeed, could they do so, cells would lose their integrity rapidly. The control of ion and macromolecule passage through both plasma membranes and organellar membranes falls to various channel, pump, and carrier proteins, which are diagrammed in Figure 1. Not onlydo these proteins allow ions and other macromolecules to pass from one sid...

0. LLOYD MEEHEAN. Some Additional Stories about Scientific Names: PROFESSOR ROBiBT S. BR-EED ........................................... 478 Reports: The National Research Council's Grants-in-Aid: DR. VERNON KELIoGG. Grants from the Elizabeth Thompson Science Fund .................... ........................ 480 Scientific Apparatus and Laboratory Methods: Method for Concentrating and Sectioni...