Species adaptations

Attempts to stabilize anthocyanins by complex inclusion with a- and P-cyclo-dextrins failed on the contrary, a discoloration of anthocyanin solutions was observed.Thermodynamic and kinetic investigations demonstrated that inclusion and copigmentation had opposite effects. In the anthocyanins, the cw-chalcone colorless structure is the best species adapted to inclusion into the P-dextrin cavity, shifting the equilibrium toward colorless forms. "... 

Fig. 7 Graphic representation of monodentate (rj, left) and bidentate right) TiOOH species). Adapted from [50] with permission. Copyright (2004) by Wiiey-VCH...

Species adaptation at the molecular level is a virgin field. In 1978 Lewontin complained that it has proved remarkably difficult to get compelling evidence for changes in enzymes brought about by selection, not to speak of adaptive changes (1). Such evidence has recently been... 

There exists a large literature on enzyme polymorphism and species adaptation (91), but none of it can as yet be interpreted in stereochemical terms. The best-studied species is Drosophila melanogaster, in which the frequency of the two dominant alleles of alcohol dehydrogenase varies with latitude in several continents one of these alleles has a consistently lower Michaelis constant for alcohols than the other (92). The two enzymes have been found to differ by the single substitution of a lysine for... 

Having said this, there are species that exhibit especially weedy properties in their inherent ability to occupy and thrive in areas where soil is barren, disturbed, or low in nutrients. Such species usually have at least one of the following invasive characteristics relative to competing species adaptability, aggressive reproduction, and vigorous growth. ... 

Figure 4 Step-scan FTIR spectra of 1-naphthyl acetate photodissociation and carbonyl species). (Adapted from Ref. 56.)...

Nicotine (I) is metabolized to contlnlne (II) by various insects. Including species adapted to feed on alkaloid-containing leaves and those that are not. Contlnlne, which is virtually nontoxic to Insects, is the primary nicotine metabolite produced by some coleopterous and orthopterous species that feed on tobacco other minor metabolites are produced as well (11). Two species of cockroaches and the housefly, Musca domestlca, also convert nicotine to contlnlne, although these insects do not normally feed on nicotine-fortified plants (11). 

Figure 12.12 Benzo[a]pyrene metabolism to the ultimate carcinogenic species. Heavy arrows indicate major metabolic pathways, represents ultimate carcinogenic species. (Adapted from A. H. Conney, Cancer Res. 42 4875, 1982.)...

Jones, J.H. (1998). Optimization of the mammalian respiratory system symmorphosis versus single species adaptation. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 120B 125-138. 

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