Chlorophyll a Fluoresence. A Signature of Photosynthesis. 2004. illustr. XXXII, 820 p. gr8vo. Hardcover.

This book highlights chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence as a convenientnon-invasive, highly sensitive, rapid and quantitative probe of oxygenicphotosynthesis. Thirty-one chapters, authored by 58 internationalexperts, provide a solid foundation of the basic theory, as well as of the application of the rich information contained in the Chl afluorescence signal as it relates to photosynthesis and plantproductivity. Although the primary photochemical reactions ofphotosynthesis are highly efficient, a small fraction of absorbedphotons escapes as Chl fluorescence, and this fraction varies withmetabolic state, providing a basis for monitoring quantitatively various processes of photosynthesis. The book explains the mechanisms with which plants defend themselves against environmental stressesexcessive light, extreme temperatures, drought, hyper-osmolarity, heavymetals and UV. It also includes discussion on fluorescence imaging ofleaves and cells and the remote sensing of Chl fluorescence fromterrestrial, airborne, and satellite bases. The book is intended for useby graduate students, beginning researchers and advanced undergraduates in the areas of integrative plant biology, cellular and molecular biology, plant biology, biochemistry, biophysics, plant physiology, global ecology and agriculture.