BOTANY VOLUME 2 - PLANT PHYSIOLOGY - 2007

Preface to the Russian Edition

E. Strasburger's textbook "Botany," now presented to the reader, was first published over 100 years ago and quickly gained worldwide recognition in the scientific community for its fundamental scope, comprehensive coverage, original and intuitive presentation, and accessible style, eventually becoming a classic guide for generations of researchers. Plant life in all its diverse manifestations, along with the complex Structural and functional relationships that determine The Role and place of plants in the biosphere, becomes much clearer and more tangible after reading this book. Following E. Strasburger's passing, the periodic reissuance of the book has been maintained by international teams of distinguished scientists who, while preserving its foundational framework, continually update it with fresh empirical data and maintain a theoretical standard appropriate to the time of publication.

This ongoing revision process has given the book an exceptionally long life. The present edition differs significantly from its predecessors, with new authors contributing to the revision of four out of the six main sections. The Introduction/27.html">Translation of the 35th edition of this original work—undoubtedly a classical compendium of botany—will serve as a valuable and essential resource for English-speaking readers studying botany as an integrative science of plant life. It should not be viewed merely as a standard textbook; rather, it is an invaluable guide for anyone who has chosen the plant kingdom as an exciting subject of research and wishes to gain up-to-date scientific insights. This makes it equally important for the beginning botanist, the experienced naturalist-researcher, and especially for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as university faculty.

The book begins with An Overview of the Structure and properties of Water, followed by the biochemistry of plant Cell polymers (Nucleic Acids, Proteins, Polysaccharides, and Lipids). This approach is well-reasoned, as it lays a solid groundwork for the subsequent cytological, morphological, and anatomical sections, enabling a deeper understanding of the principles underlying the functional Organization of both The Cell and the plant Organism as a whole. The section on Cell Structure outlines research methodologies and presents modern concepts regarding the biochemistry, physical chemistry, and functioning of membranes, as well as cellular compartmentalization, compartments, and their evolution.

A substantial portion of the book is devoted to the physiological Functions of the plant organism and their underlying metabolic systems, which sustain life and enable the organism to thrive in diverse environmental conditions. These metabolic systems interact in complex ways, and their spatial and temporal coordination is presented in light of modern scientific understanding.

Metabolic processes within the organism require a significant input of energy, sourced from universal energy-transformation mechanisms shared by bacterial Cells, METABOLISM/14.html">Chloroplasts, and plant and mitochondrial animal cells alike. Across all these systems, light energy or the energy of oxidized substrates drives electron transport within the membrane, coupled with the generation of a proton gradient that is subsequently utilized to synthesize АТФ molecules. Consequently, grasping the General Principles of Electron Transport Chain organization in coupling membranes, along with the CHARACTERISTICS OF THE key components involved in electron transfer,

is greatly facilitated by a careful Study of the relevant chapters. Interactions between Mitochondria and chloroplasts play a vital role in plant life, establishing feedback and feedforward loops between them that are essential for maintaining The Cell as an integrated functional unit, thereby flexibly adjusting Respiration intensity in response to various endogenous and exogenous factors. A crucial objective in understanding The Essence of plant life processes is exploring current Perspectives on Photosynthesis AS THE physiological function that forms the foundation of Bioenergetics. Fundamental photosynthetic processes—such as the structural and functional ORGANIZATION OF THE photosynthetic apparatus, the Molecular structure and PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF pigment systems, the mechanisms of primary energy conversion, and current models of reaction center Structure and function—have been re-investigated in recent years, which is duly reflected in the corresponding chapters.

Plants are Key Components of the biosphere, performing immense geochemical work driven primarily by their modes of mineral Nutrition and water relations. In recent years, our understanding of ion and water uptake by plants has evolved significantly, accompanied by a major expansion of knowledge regarding the functions of mineral nutrient elements. The book provides a wealth of material on the mechanisms of ion and water influx into the apoplast, membrane transport systems, short- and long-distance substance transport, and nutrient cycling within the plant, helping readers appreciate the role these processes play in forming a functionally integrated system.

Plant GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT are integrative physiological functions that unlock the genetic potential of the organism, securing the adaptive and reproductive capabilities of a species. Exploring the principles of hormonal, light, thermal, and other regulatory mechanisms governing Plant Growth and development constitutes a critical section of botany. A plant's life unfolds through constant interaction with both abiotic (physical, chemical) and biotic (other plants, animals, microorganisms) environmental factors, and these interactions can substantially modify plant development and reproductive potential. Noticeable shifts in plant community (cenosis) structures driven by heightened abiotic and biotic pressures are readily apparent. Evolution has forged numerous mechanisms enabling plants to overcome adverse conditions while preserving their potential for reproduction and dispersal. Each stress factor is examined both in terms of its damaging effects and through the lens of the plant's responsive mechanisms, which drive adaptation to overcome or evade unfavorable conditions.

Beyond its text, a definitive strength of the book is its extensive use of numerous diagrams, tables, and diverse illustrations, including drawings, high-resolution micrographs, maps, and landscape vegetation photographs. Notably, the "Ecology" section has been substantially expanded in this edition to include all essential modern insights into Earth's vegetation cover, alongside plant Taxonomy built upon the latest molecular-genetic research into Phylogenetic relationships among various taxa. The approaches developed by botanists in recent years have driven significant progress in understanding how plant organisms and plant communities function as integrated biological systems; this progress is captured in the present book and will undoubtedly captivate a wide readership.

Class="right">Professor, Lomonosov Moscow State University

I. P. Ermakov