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  • A FOUNDATION TEXT IN CELL BIOLOGY
    2025

    This Book is intended for students who wish to understand the Basic Cell Physiology in relations to Cell structures, Processes, Functions and Development. The study of Cell Biology is essential for this purpose, but it would be almost impossible for a student to survey on his own the massive body of existing knowledge, constantly augmented by a remarkable torrent of brilliant discoveries and findings by scientists. The purpose of the Book “A Foundation text in Cell Biology”, then, is to update and organize our knowledge into something that can be comprehended in a relatively short time and still convey a reasonably complete picture of the Basic Physiology, structure and functions of
    living cells, tissues, organs and organs systems. A Foundation Text in Cell Biology encompasses basic cell structures and cellular functions including: Cell composition, Cell growth, Cell division, Cell cycle and Cell transport. Elaboration of Cell structure has significantly aided understanding the structure of organisms in relation to functions. The book also contains guidelines for Students' Practical Activities and Tutor Marked Assessment Questions. Therefore, it is designed not only to give instruction in Tutorial form but also to provide a ready means of Self assessment. It is intended primarily for students of Biology, Botany, Biochemistry, Developmental Biology, Agriculture, Genetics, Microbiology, and Biotechnology at higher levels of education, but it should also prove useful to foundation students of Medical and Laboratory Sciences as well as candidates for Diploma and College Examinations. The contents follow the conventional arrangement of most courses and have been divided into Fifteen Chapters for ease of reference. Chapters One and Two are essentially introductory, covering aspects of (i) Chemical Constituents of Cell and Organic Molecules; (ii) Cell Discovery, Development and Levels of Organization. While, Chapters Three to Five outline the (iii) Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells, (iv) Protozoa, Algae and
    Fungi Cells; and (v) Viruses: Discovery, Structure and General Properties. The focus in Chapters Six to Eight is on (vi) Ultrastructure in Eukaryotic Plant and Animal Cells; (vii) Enzyme Activities and Reactions in Cells; and (viii) The Nucleic Acids, Proteins and Storage of Genetic Information in Cells. Whereas, Chapters Nine to Twelve deliberates on (ix) Cell Cycle and Cell Division; (x) Diversity in Plant and Animal Cells; (xi) Movement of Materials across Cell; (xii) Cell Growth, Differentiation and Specialization. While Chapters Thirteen to Fifteen considers (xiii) Photosynthesis; (xiv) Respiration in Living Organisms; and (xv) Cell Microscopy, Cytological Techniques and Reporting of Laboratory experiments. Keeping the subject within bounds has involved some sacrifices. The subject is paramount,  and the authors' interest is secondary. I hope the “A Foundation text in Cell Biology” serves its purpose well, but it clearly would have had much less chance of doing so without the intensive collaboration of Dr Samuel R. Osu, Dr Godwin Evans Udofia, Dr Aniefon Alphonsus Ibuot, Dr Aniefiokmkpong Okokon Okon, Dr Christiana Ofonime Edet Umoh, Dr Inemesit Ndarake Bassey, Dr Samuel Eguom Osim,Dr Joseph Etim Okon, Dr Ofonmbuk Samuel Aderi, Dr Esther Etop Ekon, Dr Nsimeneabasi Michael Udoh, Dr Emem Okon Mbong and Mayen Godwin Ben, all skilled biologists and great Teachers with the desire to share their joy upon learning new things. I commend them for their steadfastness and guts. This publication has been produced as part of the authors' long-term research plan and desire to promote the study of Cell Biology and related courses.

  • PLANT ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY
    2025

    A book by Samuel Robert Osu (Ph.D)

    CONTENTS | PAGES

    Dedication | iii
    Acknowledgment | iv
    Foreword  | v
    Preface | vi
    Table of Contents | vii
    List of Tables | xiii
    List of Figures | xiv
    List of Appendices | xvi

    CHAPTER ONE
    ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY OF HIGHER PLANTS
    1.1 Plant Anatomy  | 1
    1.2 Plant Anatomy, Cytology and Histology | 2
    1.3 Organisation of Cells in Seed Bearing Plants | 3
    1.4 Relevance of Plant Histology in Higher Plants | 4
    1.5 Cells and its Relationship in Higher Plants | 5
    1.6 Summary | 5
    1.7 Evaluation | 6
    1.8 Tutorial Questions | 7


    CHAPTER TWO
    DIVERSITY OF CELLS: STRUCTURE AND SPECIALIZATION
    2.1 General Information | 9
    2.2 Diversity and Shapes of some Specialized Cells | 10
    2.3 Organization of a generalised Plant Cell | 11
    2.4 Description of the Cell Organelles | 14
    2.4.1 Endoplasmic Recticulum | 14
    2.4.2 Plastids | 15
    2.4.3 Mitochondria | 16
    2.4.4 Vacuoles | 16
    2.4.5 Cell Sap | 17
    2.4.6 Ribosomes | 18
    2.4.7 The Nucleus | 18
    2.4.8 The cell wall | 18

    2.5 Summary | 22
    2.6 Evaluation | 23
    2.7 Tutorial Questions | 24

     

    CHAPTER THREE
    ORGANISATION OF VASCULAR AND NON VASCULAR PLANTS
    3.1 General Information | 26
    3.2 Plant Groups | 27
    3.2.1 Bryophytes: Non vascular Plants | 27
    3.2.2 Pteridophytes | 29
    3.2.3 Gymnosperm | 32
    3.2.4 Angiosperm (Flowering Plants) | 33
    3.3 Characteristics of Vascular Plant | 33
    3.4 Organisation of a Vascular Plant | 34
    3.4.1 Leaves | 34
    3.4.2 Stems | 36
    3.4.3 Roots | 36
    3.5 Summary | 36
    3.6 Evaluation | 37
    3.7 Tutorial Questions | 38

    CHAPTER FOUR
    PLANT GROWTH AND CELL DIVISION
    4.1 General Information | 40
    4.2 Growth and Basis of Growth in Plants | 41
    4.2.1 Definition of Growth | 41
    4.2.2 Basis of Growth in Plants | 41
    4.3 Nature of Growth in plant | 43
    4.4 Aspects of Growth | 44
    4.4.1 Dry Weight | 44
    4.4.2 Measurement of Plant Height |44
    4.4.3 Region of fastest growth in

    Plants | 45
    4.4.4 Determination of the rate of growth of a Root | 46
    4.4.5 Determination of the rate of growth of a Shoot | 47
    4.5 Cell Division in plants: Mitosis | 48
    4.6 Importance of Mitosis | 51
    4.7 Meiosis | 51
    4.8 Importance of Meiosis | 56
    4.9 Similarities and Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis | 56
    4.9.1 Similarities | 56

    4.9.2 Differences | 57
    4.10 Summary | 57
    4.11 Evaluation | 58
    4.12 Tutorial Questions | 59

     

    CHAPTER FIVE
    HISTOLOGY OF MERISTEMATIC AND PERMANENT TISSUES
    5.1 General Information | 61
    5.2 Meristematic Tissues 62| 
    5.3 Permanent Tissues 64
    5.3.1 Simple Permanent Tissues | 64
    Parenchyma | 64
    Collenchyma | 65
    Sclerenchyma | 65
    5.3.2 Complex Permanent Tissues | 66
    Xylem | 67
    Phloem | 67
    Epidermis | 68 
    Periderm | 68
    5.3.3 Secretory Tissues | 69
    5.4 Summary | 69
    5.5 Evaluation | 70
    5.6 Tutorial Questions | 71

    CHAPTER SIX
    HISTOLOGY OF PLANT TISSUE SYSTEM AND
    DISTRIBUTION OF TISSUES
    6.1 General Information | 73
    6.2 Plant Tissue System | 74
    6.2.1 Dermal Tissue | 74
    6.2.2 Vascular Tissue | 75
    Xylem | 76
    Phloem | 77
    6.2.3 Ground Tissue | 79
    6.3 Characteristic Feature, Functions and Distribution
    of Plant Tissues | 79 
    6.4 Summary | 80
    6.5 Evaluation | 81
    6.6 Tutorial Questions | 82

     

    CHAPTER SEVEN
    ANATOMY OF LEAVES
    7.1 General Information | 84
    7.2 The Leaf | 85
    7.3 Part of a Dicot Leaf | 85
    7.4 Part of a Monocot Leaf | 85
    7.5 Simple and Compound Leaves | 86
    7.6 Structure of a Leaf | 87
    7.7 Mesophyll and veins | 88
    7.8 Functions of Leaves | 90
    7.8.1 Photosynthesis | 90
    7.8.2 Transpiration | 90
    7.8.3 Gaseous Exchange | 91
    7.9 Healing of Wounds and Falling of Leaves | 92
    7.10 Summary | 94
    7.11 Evaluation | 95
    7.12 Tutorial Questions | 96

    CHAPTER EIGHT
    ANATOMY OF STEMS
    8.1 General Information | 98
    8.2 Structure of Stem and Function | 98
    8.3 Monocot and Dicot Stem | 100
    8.3.1 Monocot Stems | 100
    8.3.2 Dicot Stems | 100
    8.4 Primary Growth in Stems | 101
    8.4.1 Primary Tissues in Dicot and Monocots Stems | 102
    8.5 Secondary Growth of Stems | 103
    8.5.1 Formation of the Vascular Cambium | 103
    8.5.2 Formation of Wood | 104
    8.5.3 Formation of Bark | 105
    8.6 Anatomy of Tree Trunk | 106
    8.7 Summary | 107
    8.8 Evaluation | 108
    8.9 Tutorial Questions | 109

    9.9 Evaluation 122
    9.10 Tutorial Questions 123

    CHAPTER NINE
    ANATOMY OF ROOTS
    9.1 General Information 111
    9.2 Types of Roots 111
    9.3 The Root tip and its Growth 113
    9.4 Structure of a Young Dicot Root 114
    9.5 Functions of Roots 116
    9.6 Primary Tissues in Dicot Root 119
    9.7 Secondary Root Tissues 120
    9.8 Summary 121

    CHAPTER TEN
    MICROSCOPY
    10.1 General Information 125
    10.2 Light Microscope 126
    10.3 Electron Microscopes 127
    10.4 Use of the Compound Light Microscope 128
    10.5 Identifying the Parts 128
    10.6 Focusing the Microscope - Lowest Power 130
    10.7 Focusing the Microscope - Highest Power 131
    10.8 Rules for Effective use of Microscope 131
    10.9 Total Magnification 131
    10.10Field of View 132
    10.11Depth of Field 133
    10.12Microscope Examination: Temporary or Wet mount 133
    10.13Onion Epidermal Cells 135
    10.14Summary 136
    10.15Evaluation 137
    10.16Tutorial Questions 138

     

    CHAPTER ELEVEN
    MAKING BIOLOGICAL DRAWINGS AND WRITING OF EXPERIMENTAL REPORTS
    11.1 Making Biological Drawing/Illustration 139
    11.2 Materials required for Successful Drawing 140
    11.3 Major weaknesses of Students in Reporting Practicals
    In Plants Anatomy 140

    11.4 Cutting of Freehand Sections 141
    11.5 Writing Reports of Experiment 142
    11.6 Summary 143
    11.7 Evaluation 144
    11.8 Tutorial Questions 145

    CHAPTER TWELVE
    PRACTICAL EXERCISES IN PLANT ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY
    12.1 Section Cutting 146
    12.2 Practical -1: Mounting 147
    12.3 Practical -2: Microscope Examination 147
    12.4 Practical -3: The Leaves (Dicot/Monocot) 147
    12.5 Practical -4: Observation of Primary and Secondary
    Thickening in Roots 148
    12.6 Practical -5: Observation of Dicotyledonous Stem 148
    12.7 Practical -6: Observation of Dicotyledonous Root 149
    12.8 Practical -7: Sectioning and Staining Technique of Plant tissues 150
    12.9 Essential Laboratory Experiments 151
    12.10Evaluation 159
    12.11 Tutorial Questions 160
    Bibliography 161
    Glossary 164
    Appendices 184
    Index 216

    BUY HERE

  • TRANSGENESIS: THE PROCESS OF PLANT AND ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT
    2025

    Authors:
    Dr Samuel Robert Osu
    Dr Samuel Eguom Osim
    Dr Imo Robson Udosen
    Dr Owoidihe Monday Etukudo
    Dr Joseph Ibanga Udo
    Ekeng Ita Okon
    Emem Martin Eshiet

    CONTENTS PAGES
    Dedication-----iii
    Acknowledgement---- iv
    Foreword-----v
    Preface -----vi
    Table of Contents---- vii-ix
    CHAPTER ONE
    1.0 Introduction---- 1-3
    CHAPTER TWO
    2.0 History of Transgenic Organisms-4-10
    2.1 Transgenic Plants---4-7
    2.2 Transgenic Animals ---7-10
    CHAPTER THREE
    3.0 Transgenic Organisms---11-17
    3.1 Genetically Modified Crops-- 11
    3.2 Transgenic Plant Technology-- 12-13
    3.3 Genetically Modified Animal-- 14
    3.4 Transgenic Insect Technology-- 14
    3.4.1 Applications of Transgenic Insects
    Technology-- 15-16
    3.5 Genetic Modification to Improve
    Biological Control Agents-- 16-17
    CHAPTER FOUR
    4.0 Engineering in Plant Metabolism-18-22
    4.1 Engineering of Primary Metabolic
    Pathways -- 18
    4.1.1 Carbohydrate Metabolism-- 18-19
    4.1.2 Amino Acid Metabolisms-- 19-20
    4.1.3 Polyamines Metabolisms-- 20-21
    4.1.4 Lipid Metabolisms-- 21
    4.2 Engineering Secondary Metabolic
    Pathways-- 21-22
    4.3 Engineering Novel Metabolic Pathways 22
    CHAPTER FIVE
    5.0 Methods for Introduction of
    Transgenesis---23-33
    5.1 Methods for Introduction of Transgenesis
    in Plants-- 23
    5.1.1 Gene guns (Biolistics)-- 23
    5.1.2 Agrobacterium tumefaciens - Medicated Transfer-- 23-24
    5.1.3 Electroporation-- 26
    5.1.4 Microinjection-- 26
    5.1.5 Clustered Regulatory Interspaced
    Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-26
    5.1.6 Transcription Activator - Like Effector
    Nucleases (TALENS)-- 27
    5.2 Methods for Introduction of Transgenesis
    in Animals-- 28
    5.2.1Microinjection-- 29
    5.2.2Viral Transfection -- 30
    5.2.3Embryonic Sterm Cells Modification-31
    5.2.4Spermatocyte - Medicated Gene Transfer 31-32
    5.2.5Cloning: Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
    (SCNT)-- 32
    5.2.6Transposon - Medicated Gene Silencing 32-33
    CHAPTER SIX
    6.0 Genetic Modification---34-40
    6.1 Genetic Modification in Organisms-34-36
    6.2 Types of Modifications-- 36
    6.2.1 Transgenic-- 36-37
    6.2.2 Cisgenic-- 37
    6.2.3 Subgenic-- 37
    6.2.4 Multiple Trait Integration-- 38
    6.3 Types of DNA Modification-- 38
    6.3.1 Insections-- 38
    6.3.2Deletions-- 38
    6.3.3Recombinase-- 39
    6.3.4Quantification-- 39-40
    CHAPTER SEVEN
    7.0 Applications of Transgenic Organisms 41-46
    7.1 Applications of transgenic animals-41
    7.1.1Biological Research-- 41
    7.1.2Xenotransplantation-- 42
    7.1.3Biopharming-- 42
    7.1.4Detecting Pollution-- 42
    7.1.5Population Control-- 43
    7.1.6Disease Control-- 44
    7.2 Applications of Transgenic Plants-44
    7.2.1Vitamin enrichment-- 44
    7.2.2Toxin Reduction-- 44
    7.2.3Stress Resistance-- 45
    7.2.4Pest Resistance-- 45
    7.2.5Bioremediation-- 46
    CHAPTER EIGHT
    8.0 Positive and Negative Effects Derived
    from Transgenic Organisms-47-49
    8.1 The positive effects derived from
    transgenic organism-- 47-48
    8.2 The negative effects derived from
    transgenic organism---49
    CHAPTER NINE
    9.0 Future Potential, Safety and
    Ethical Issues---50-55
    9.1 Future Potential---50-51
    9.2 Safety and Ethical Issues-- 52-54