Molecular Biology in Marine Science Scientific Questions, Technological Approaches, and Practical Implications (1994) / Chapter Skim
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3 Physiological, Biochemical, and Genetic Status of Marine Organisms
3 Physiological, Biochemical, and Genetic Status of Marine Organisms
Pages 29-38
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From page 29... ...
The response of marine organisms that inhabit the upper ocean to an increased flux of ultraviolet radiation due to depletion of stratospheric ozone is only now beginning to be studied (e.g., Cullen et al., 1992~. Marine organisms respond to environmental cues by behavioral, physiological, immunological, humora~, and genetic mechanisms.
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From page 30... ...
Understanding the molecular details of these regulatory processes could allow the development of genetic and immunological probes and biochemical tests to quantify the physiological condition and health of marine organisms and their responses to environmental stress. It is important to characterize sublethal effects (even though the subject organism is alive and appears healthy by other measures)
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From page 31... ...
It is desirable to be capable of both identifying the species present and predicting the response of each species to a number of environmental variables. Development of appropriate diagnostic tests will require considerable fundamental knowledge about the basic biology of the target organisms, such as a description of their life histories and I |
From page 32... ...
and is a useful indicator of nutritional status (C~emmesen, 1990; Ueberschaer and Clemmesen, ~ 9901. However, this technique is useful only if proper controls and standards are employed, including restricting comparisons to single species, size classes, life history stages, environmental temperature, and the physical activity of the individuals being tested.
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From page 33... ...
PHYSIOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL, AND GENETIC STATUS OF MARINE ORGANISMS 33 8.0 7.0o 6.0At, so~ 4.0 3.0 2.01.0U' z Ems Am .
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From page 34... ...
Molecular techniques offer opportunities to identify environmental impacts on marine species by detecting and characterizing changes in the synthesis of important macromolecules such as proteins at transcriptional, translational, and product levels. Physiological Condition of Marine Organisms Knowledge of the physiological condition of organisms and how organisms respond to optimal and suboptimal environmental conditions could contribute to improved management of commercially important and endangered species, enhance monitoring for water quality and environmental change, and provide a means to monitor other species.
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From page 35... ...
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From page 36... ...
Bioremediation could benefit greatly from identification and characterization of relevant genes encoding key proteins and enzymes involved in biodegradation. An improved understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of marine organisms capable of transforming contaminants could enhance our ability to restore marine habitats.
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From page 37... ...
identified bioremediation-the transformation of pollutants, toxic substances, and metals into less harmful forms by living organisms, primarily microorganisms as a potential direction for marine biotechnology research. Essentially every country has urban waste treatment plants and industrial effluents that discharge billions of tons of polluted water into the lalces, rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters of the world.
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From page 38... ...
During the Exxon Va/c/ez of! spill, nitrogen fertilization of small sections of selected intertidal areas resulted in the enhanced growth of a naturally occurring bacterium that could use the oil as a carbon source.
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