Polar microbiology : life in a deep freeze / edited by Robert V. Miller and Lyle G. Whyte.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Miller, Robert V. (Robert Verne), 1945-

Whyte, Lyle G.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Extreme environments--Microbiology.

Microbial ecology--Polar regions.

Microbiology--Research--Polar regions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (333 p.)

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : ASM Press, c2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"Sheds new light on the microbial ecology and physiology of the Earth's polar regions. Examines the microbial investigations during the International Polar Year of 2008 focusing on the Arctic and Antarctic, along with earlier investigations on critical environmental issues such as climate change, ozone depletion, and elemental cycling. Offers a survey of what is known and unknown about the microbial inhabitants of polar environments, addresses the adaptations and physiology of cold-adapted microorganisms, and explores the ecological role that polar microbial communities play in biogeochemical cycling. Presents the challenges that polar and subpolar microorganisms face and describes the lowest temperatures in which microbial life can exist--and the prospects for life on other planets. Recommended for a general microbiology audience as well as for scientists and students in all areas of biology and geomicrobiology."

Contents:

""Cover""; ""Copyright""; ""Contents""; ""Contributors""; ""Preface""; ""I Microbial Diversity in Polar Environments""; ""1. Bacterial Diversity in Polar Habitats""; ""Introduction""; ""Antarctica""; ""The Arctic""; ""Microbial Mats""; ""Sea Ice Microbial Communities""; ""Effects of Climate Change on Polar Regions""; ""Conclusions and Future Work""; ""References""; ""2. Archaea""; ""Introduction and Overview""; ""Antarctic Environments""; ""Arctic Environments""; ""Polar Comparisons of Archaeal Diversity""; ""Highlights of Recent Findings""

""Archaea in Polar Environments and Climate Change""""Future Work Needed""; ""Summary""; ""References""; ""3. Bacteriophages at The Poles""; ""Life Choices""; ""Nutrient Availability""; ""Phages at The Poles""; ""Conclusions""; ""References""; ""4. Fungi in Polar Environments""; ""Introduction""; ""Fungi in Various Extremely Cold Environments""; ""Indigenous Groups of Fungi in Polar Environments""; ""Conclusions""; ""References""; ""II Adaptations and Physiology of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms in Polar Environments""; ""5. General Characteristics of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms""

""Introduction""""Kinetic and Biochemical Challenges at Low Temperature""; ""Fluidity at Cold Temperatures""; ""Macromolecular Stability at Low Temperature""; ""Water Activity and Freezing""; ""Subeutectic Metabolism: Residual Reactions or Survival Strategy?""; ""Conclusion""; ""References""; ""6. Genomic and Expression Analyses of Cold-Adapted Microorganisms""; ""Introduction""; ""Ecological Evidence of Bacterial Adaptation to Cold""; ""Gene Expression Responses to The Cold""; ""Protein Adaptations to Cold""; ""Comparison of Cold-And Warm-Adapted Exiguobacterium Strains""

""Summary and Future Directions""""References""; ""7. Metagenomic Analysis of Polar Ecosystems""; ""Introduction""; ""Marine Ecosystems""; ""Terrestrial Ecosystems""; ""Conclusions""; ""References""; ""8. Polar Microorganisms and Biotechnology""; ""Introduction""; ""Advantages of Polar Microorganisms in Biotechnology""; ""Bioprospecting The Polar Genetic Resources""; ""Polar Bacteria as Cell Factories""; ""Cold-Active Enzymes in Biotechnology""; ""Industrial Enzymes From Polar Microorganisms""; ""Polar Proteins in Molecular Biology and Cosmetics""

""Hydrocarbon Bioremediation in Polar Environments""""Wastewater Treatment in Cold Environments""; ""Polar Plants and Animals in Biotechnology""; ""Conclusions""; ""References""; ""III Ecology and Biochemical Cycling of Polar Microbiology Communities""; ""9. Microbial Carbon Cycling in Permafrost""; ""Introduction""; ""Carbon Turnover in Arctic Terrestrial Ecosystems""; ""Methane-Cycling MIcrobial Communities""; ""References""; ""10. Polar Marine Microbiology""; ""Introduction""; ""Polar Microbiology""; ""Microbial Food Webs and Nutrient Cycling""; ""Conclusions""; ""References""

""11. Cryospheric Environments in Polar Regions (Glaciers and Ice Sheets, Sea Ice, and Ice Shelves)""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-68367-094-9

1-55581-718-1