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As the title indicates, the theme of this book is the functions of biochromes in animals. Recent works on zoochromes, such as those of D. L. Fox (1953), H. M. Fox and VEVERS (1960) and VUILLAUME (1969), have been concerned primarily with the chemical nature and the taxonomic distribution of these materials, and although function has been considered where relevant this has not been the centre of interest and certainly not the basis for the arrangement of the subject matter. Functional significance is a profitable focus of interest, since it is the one theme which can make biochromatology a discrete and integral subject, and because it is the main interest in all biological fields. At present chromatology seems to be a particularly schizoid subject since it is clear that in metabolic functions biochromes are acting in a chemical capacity whereas integumental pigments function mainly biophysically, in neurological and behavioural contexts. It is profitable to attempt an integration by studying the functions of as many chromes as possible, from all aspects.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
I. General.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Basis and Significance of Colour in Molecules.- II. The Nature and Distribution of Zoochromes.- 3 The Chemical Classes of Zoochrome.- 4 The Taxonomic Distribution of Zoochromes.- 5 Distribution and State of Zoochromes in the Body.- III. Physiological Functions of Zoochromes.- 6 The Functions of Integumental Zoochromes.- 7 Zoochromes and Sensory Perception.- IV. Biochemical Functions of Zoochromes.- 8 Oxidation-Reduction Functions of Zoochromes.- 9 Zoochromes that Transport Oxygen.- 10 Zoochromes in Other Aspects of Metabolism.- 11 Pathological States Involving Zoochromes.- V. The Significance of Zoochromes for Reproduction and Development.- 12 Zoochromes in Reproduction and Development.- VI. Evidence from Chromogenesis in the Individual.- 13 The Evidence from Chromogenic Pathways.- 14 Evidence from the Control of the Supply of Biochromes.- 15 The Development of Integumental Colour-Patterns.- 16 The Genetic Basis of Chromogenesis.- VII. Evolutionary Evidence and General Assessment.- 17 Zoochromes and Evolution.- 18 General Assessment.- Subject and Systematic Index.
