Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
Molecular systems governing light-signal transduction at early stages of plant development are reviewed. Possible pathways for light-signal transduction via photoreceptors (phytochromes), as well as the functions of positive and negative regulators, are considered. Current notions of mechanisms responsible for photomorphogenesis repression in the d...
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
In the creation of an ecological theory, special attention should be paid to ecological constants. Some characteristics contending for the role of ecological constants, which account for the influence of random factors on ecosystems, are analyzed. Problems of the dependence of organisms’ individual metabolism on their mass are considered.
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
The results of long-term (1992–2005) monitoring of carbon transformation in agroecosystems on grey forest soils, both unpolluted and polluted by heavy metals, in the Baikal natural territory are presented. The specific features of carbon accumulation in humus, soil microbe biomass, wheat phytomass, as well as CO2 emission in years with different cl...
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
The results of studying the efficiency of chemical protection of the male reproductive system (MRS) upon high doses of ionizing radiation are summarized. Work on the radiation protection of the testes and other MRS organs by substances of natural origin against low doses of chronic radiation exposure are analyzed. Some vitamins, hormones, and phyto...
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
Some adverse effects of simvastatin on biochemical reactions of cells and organs and the molecular mechanisms of simvastatin cytotoxicity are reviewed. Special attention is paid to the simvastatin-induced disturbance of mitochondrial functions both in vivo and in vitro.
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
This work continues a series of studies on the evolution of a natural population with pronounced seasonal patterns. Model analysis detected a correlation between the duration of ontogenesis and the dynamic behavior patterns of an isolated population (i.e., the structure and dimension of chaotic attractors). For nonlinear models of age-structured po...
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
The function of weak electric discharges is conclusively proved only for two fish orders: Mormyriformes and Gymnotiformes. Every specimen of the two groups emits electric discharges continuously or quite regularly for location, orientation, and communication. The function of weak episodic electric discharges in other groups of weakly electric fish-...
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
The hypothesis of adaptive host manipulation is usually supported by case studies on trophically transmitted heteroxenous endoparasites. Trematodes and cestodes are among the efficient manipulators of fish, their common intermediate hosts. In this review paper, new data on modifications of host fish behavior caused by monoxenous ectoparasitic crust...
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
An analysis of morphotypical variability of the lower first molar in 12 species of the Microtus genus revealed a similarity in patterns of variability consisting in two-three homologous series of three morphotypes of one class of rugosity, forming the homologous series of a second plane so that the structure of variability takes on a three-dimensio...
Published in Biology Bulletin Reviews
Astochastic modeling technique provides for the correct partition of the “return rate” of marked animals into survival probability (φ) and capture probability (p). Application of this method is enhanced by the program MARK, available free of charge through the Internet (Cooch and White, 2009). The input data for the program are the capture historie...
