Insect Clocks, Third Edition

Chronobiology is the study of timing mechanisms in biological systems as diverse as plants, animals and some micro-organisms. It includes rhythmic phenomena ranging from short period (ultradian) through daily (circadian) to long period (monthly, annual) cycles of behaviour, physiology and biochemistry. In recent years spectacular advances have been made, particularly in the field of circadian rhythms, and hardly a week passes without important papers appearing in the major scientific journals. The third edition of Insect Clocks , like its predecessors, deals with the properties and functions of clock-like processes in one of the planet's most abundant groups of organisms. The first half of the book is concerned with circadian rhythmicity, the second with annual responses such as over-wintering diapause, seasonal morphs and cold hardiness. Insect Clocks puts modern developments in these fields into a secure framework of the 'classical' literature that has defined the subject. The book is directed at active researchers in the field as well as newcomers and scientists working in many other areas of modern biology. It will also serve as a textbook for advanced and less advanced students and should find its way into university libraries wishing to keep abreast of the times. Chronobiology is the study of timing mechanisms in biological systems as diverse as plants, animals and some micro-organisms. It includes rhythmic phenomena ranging from short period (ultradian) through daily (circadian) to long period (monthly, annual) cycles of behaviour, physiology and biochemistry. In recent years spectacular advances have been made, particularly in the field of circadian rhythms, and hardly a week passes without important papers appearing in the major scientific journals. P The third edition of ITInsect Clocks/IT, like its predecessors, deals with the properties and functions of clock-like processes in one of the planet's most abundant groups of organisms. The first half of the book is concerned with circadian rhythmicity, the second with annual responses such as over-wintering diapause, seasonal morphs and cold hardiness. ITInsect Clocks/IT puts modern developments in these fields into a secure framework of the 'classical' literature that has defined the subject. P The book is directed at active researchers in the field as well as newcomers and scientists working in many other areas of modern biology. It will also serve as a textbook for advanced and less advanced students and should find its way into university libraries wishing to keep abreast of the times Cover Title Page Copyright Page TOCContents Glossary and List of Symbols CHChapter 1. Introduction: Rhythms and Clocks CHChapter 2. Circadian Rhythms of Activity in Individual Insects CHChapter 3. Circadian Rhythms of Activity in Populations of Insects CHChapter 4. Circadian Rhythms: Genes and the Feedback Loop CHChapter 5. Physiology of Circadian Systems CHChapter 6. The Multioscillator Circadian System CHChapter 7. Quantitative Models for Insect Clocks CHChapter 8. Circadian Rhythms: Photoreceptor and Clock Location CHChapter 9. Photoperiodism and Seasonal Cycles of Development CHChapter 10. The Photoperiodic Response CHChapter 11. Circadian Rhythms in Photoperiodism CHChapter 12. The Photoperiodic Counter CHChapter 13. Photoperiodic Time Measurement: the Clock-Counter Mechanism CHChapter 14. Photoperiodic Photoreceptors and Clock Location CHChapter 15. Other Types of Insect Clocks CHChapter 16. Clock Complexity: The Way Forward? References IDXIndex Last Page "Chronobiology is the study of timing mechanisms in biological systems as diverse as plants, animals and some micro-organisms. It includes rhythmic phenomena ranging from short period (ultradian) through daily (circadian) to long period (monthly, annual) cycles of behaviour, physiology and biochemistry. In recent years spectacular advances have been made, particularly in the field of circadian rhythms, and hardly a week passes without important papers appearing in the major scientific journals." "The book is directed at active researchers in the field as well as newcomers and scientists working in many other areas of modern biology. It will also serve as a textbook for advanced and less advanced students and should find its way into university libraries wishing to keep abreast of the times."--Jacket. EVER since life first appeared on this planet it has been subjected to daily cycles of light and dark, and to seasonal cycles of climatic change, caused by the rotation of the earth around its axis and around the sun.