Date of birth: 2 Marth 1949
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Neurotransmitters acetylcholine and biogenic amines dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and histamine are present not only in animals, but also in plants. What are functions of these compounds in plant organisms? How many plant reactions are sensitive to neurotransmitters? What is a significance of the phenomenon for human practice? This book is a first attempt to answer these questions.
Synthesis, content and role of acetylcholine, catecholamines, serotonin and histamine in plants have been reviewed on the base of world literature and the author data. The participation of the components of animal cholinergic and aminergic regulatory systems in the functioning of many plant processes within and out the cell: from changes in ion permeability of membranes, energetic and metabolism to complex processes such as a fertilization, motility and at last germination, growth and morphogenesis have been described. In plants enzymes of the neurotransmitters’ synthesis and catabolism are present as well as some functional analogues of cholino- and aminoreceptors.
In plants neurotransmitters play roles of chemosignalizators, triggers of seed and pollen germination, regulators of ion permeability, energetics, metabolism, movements (dealt with roots, leaves and stomata cells), protectors against stresses as well as participate in intercellular and intracellular relations. Stimulatory effects of some neurotransmitters on plant growth reactions may be used in economic practice both in laboratory and agriculture. Medicinal plants enriched in some neuromediators could be recommended for pharmacology and medicine as alternative of purified chemical drugs.
The evolutionary look on the role of neurotransmitters releases the presence of the compounds at all steps of evolutionary development – from unicellular organisms to multicellular ones – fungi, plants, low- and high-organized animals. This shows that non-synaptic functions of the substances have arisen earlier than synaptic functions in animals with developed nervous system, and so may play universal role as elementary molecular agents of irritation in any living cell.

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Eileen Buckholtz

Eileen Garber was born in 1949. She obtained a Master Computer Scientist. During her distinguished career with the Department of Defense (1970-2001), she held a variety of technical leadership and management positions in emerging technology, knowledge management, Internet applications, IT workforce ...

Thomas K. Landauer

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