Photosynthetic Prokaryotes

It is necessary to realize that the term "photosynthetic prokaryotes" encom passes the widest and most diverse grouping of bacteria, but in itself has no taxonomic or phylogenetic significance. It means those organisms, other than eukaryotes, which require, obligately or facultatively, light for growth. The re cent application 16S rRNA sequencing to microbial phylogeny, asso ciated mainly with the work of Woese, emphasizes the evolutionarily dis persed nature of purpIe and green photosynthetic bacteria as weIl as the rather coherent phylogenetic connections of the cyanobacteria. It is not surprising, therefore, that a volume such as this which seeks to give an introduction to this collection of organisms must be highly selective; ac cordingly, several important features are discussed only superficiaIly, e. g. , differentiation, life cycles, and biochemical aspects of nutrition. Rather, we have attempted to provide adescription of the essential features which are common and those which are characteristic, e. g. , the physiology of photo synthesis and ecological distribution. Bearing in mind the aim of the series, we have asked our authors to emphasize aspects of the importance of these organisms in nature and their industrial applications. As will be seen from the text, these organisms have an ancient history in "biotechnology," having been used as foodstuffs by several cultures, but their exploitation has been limited to their natural patterns and products of growth.

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1 Diversity, Ecology, and Taxonomy of the Cyanobacteria.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Morphological Diversity.- 3. Ecological Distribution.- 4. Influence of Environmental Factors.- 5. Taxonomy.- References.- 2 Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and General Ecology of Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Taxonomy.- 3. Phylogenetic Considerations.- 4. General Ecology.- References.- 3 Physiology of the Photosynthetic Prokaryotes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Basic Features of Photosynthesis.- 3. Variations of the Photosynthetic Process in Prokaryotes.- 4. Metabolism of Carbon Sources and Electron Donors.- 5. Nitrogen Metabolism.- 6. Enrichment and Cultivation of Photosynthetic Prokaryotes.- 7. Concluding Remarks.- References.- 4 Genetics of the Photosynthetic Prokaryotes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Genome Organization.- 3. Gene Transfer Mechanisms.- 4. Transposons, Interposons, and Their Applications.- 5. Genetic Mapping.- 6. Conclusion.- References.- 5 Genetic Manipulation of Photosynthetic Prokaryotes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Propagation of Recombinant DNA in Purple Bacteria.- 3. Nonclassical Mutagenesis in Purple Bacteria.- 4. Analysis of Gene Expression in Purple Bacteria.- 5. Propagation of Recombinant DNA in Cyanobacteria.- 6. Nonclassical Mutagenesis in Cyanobacteria.- 7. Analysis of Gene Expression in Cyanobacteria.- 8. Prospects for the Future.- References.- 6 Mass Culture of Cyanobacteria.- 1. An Outline of Uses for Cyanobacterial Mass.- 2. Basic Principles in Mass Cultivation.- 3. Reactors for Mass Cultivation of Photoautotrophs.- 4. Management of Outdoor Cultures.- 5. Processing Cyanobacterial Mass.- 6. Future Prospects.- References.- 7 Cyanobacterial Toxins.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Toxin-Producing Cyanobacteria.- 3. Nature and Properties of the Toxins.- 4. Purification andQuantification of Toxins.- 5. Factors Influencing Toxin Production.- 6. Effects on Human Health.- References.- 8 Potential and Commercial Applications for Photosynthetic Prokaryotes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Hydrogen Production.- 3. Waste Water Treatment.- 4. Cyanobacteria as Biofertilizers.- 5. Photochemical and Photoelectrochemical Systems.- 6. Products from Photosynthetic Prokaryotes.- References.