Chemical Zoology, Volume VII, Mollusca, provides zoologists and chemists with an overview of the state of knowledge in chemistry and zoology and an introduction to the existing literature. The treatise is arranged by phyla, an arrangement which seemed most suitable for presenting chemical information of zoological significance and for bringing to the attention of chemists those aspects of biochemical diversity of greatest potential interest. Each section, dealing with a major phylum, is introduced by a discussion of the biology and systematics of the group. This is followed by chapters dealing with various aspects of the biochemistry of the group.
This volume contains 14 chapters and begins with a discussion of the molluscan framework. This is followed by separate chapters on shell structure and formation, respiratory proteins, and nitrogen metabolism in molluscs. Subsequent chapters deal with molluscan byssus fibers, chemical embryology, pigments, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism and distribution, endocrinology, anisosmotic and isosmotic cellular regulation, pharmacology, and biochemical ecology.

List of ContributorsPrefaceContents of Other VolumesChapter 1. The Molluscan Framework I. Introduction II. Phylogenetic Origins III. Unfolding of the Framework IV. Derivation of the Classes V. The Molluscan Subphyla ReferencesChapter 2. Structure of the Molluscan Shell I. Introduction II. Types of Mineral Architecture and Organic Ultrastructures in Molluscan Shells III. The Cuttle Bone (Sepia officinalis L.) IV. Mineralogy and Crystallography V. Uncalcified or Partly Calcified Organic Structures of Mollusk Shells VI. Colors of Shells VII. Biochemical Composition of the Nacreous Conchiolin in Relation to Its Ultrastructure VIII. Biochemical Data on Organic Components of Mollusk Shells IX. Conclusion ReferencesChapter 3. Shell Formation in Mollusks I. Introduction II. The System of Shell Formation-Compartments III. The Mantle and Calcium IV. Environment of Shell Formation V. Calcium Carbonate Deposition VI. Carbonic Anhydrase and Calcium Deposition VII. Shell Matrix and Crystallization VIII. Formation of Crystal Layers IX. Growth Increments X. Shell Decalcification XI. Shell Regeneration XII. Minor Elements and Trace Elements ReferencesChapter 4. Byssus Fiber-Mollusca I. Description of the Byssus II. Molecular Structure of Byssus Fiber III. Elastic and Optical Properties of Byssus Fibers IV. The Formation of Byssus Fibers V. Summary ReferencesChapter 5. Chemical Embryology of Mollusca I. Oogenesis and Vitellogenesis II. Fertilization III. Ooplasmic Segregation IV. Osmotic Regulation V. Breakdown and Utilization of the Yolk VI. Embryonic Nutrition VII. Nucleic Acids VIII. Protein Synthesis IX. Respiration X. Cell Metabolism XI. Cell Differentiation ReferencesChapter 6. Pigments of Mollusca I. Carotenoids II. Indigoids III. Melanins IV. Sclerotins V. Ommochromes VI. Porphyrins (Excluding Hemoglobins) VII. Bile Pigments (Bilichromes) VIII. Hemochromogens (Other than Hemoglobins) IX. Miscellaneous Pigments ReferencesChapter 7. Respiratory Proteins in Mollusks I. Introduction II. Hemoglobin III. Hemocyanin ReferencesChapter 8. Carbohydrates and Carbohydrate Metabolism in Mollusca I. Introduction II. Blood Sugar III. Sugar Nucleotides IV. Mucopolysaccharides and Glycoproteins V. Galactogen VI. Glycogen ReferencesChapter 9. Lipid and Sterol Components and Metabolism in Mollusca I. Introduction II. Distribution of Lipids III. Metabolism of Lipids ReferencesChapter 10. Nitrogen Metabolism in Mollusks I. Nitrogenous Constituents of Molluscan Organisms II. Metabolism of Nitrogenous Compounds III. Terminal Products of Nitrogen Metabolism in Mollusks IV. Conclusions ReferencesChapter 11. Endocrinology of Mollusca I. Introduction II. Amphineura and Scaphopoda III. Lamellibranchia IV. Gastropoda V. Cephalopoda VI. Conclusions ReferencesChapter 12. Ionoregulation and Osmoregulation in Mollusca I. Introduction II. Anisosmotic Extracellular Regulation III. Isosmotic Intracellular Regulation IV. Summary ReferencesChapter 13. Aspects of Molluscan Pharmacology I. Introduction II. Chemical Transmission at Synapses within the Central Nervous System III. Chemical Transmission at Neuromuscular Junctions IV. Chemical Regulation of Molluscan Hearts V. General Discussion of Chemical Transmission in Mollusks VI. Toxic Substances Elaborated by Mollusks VII. General Discussion of Molluscan Biotoxins ReferencesChapter 14. Biochemical Ecology of Mollusca I. Introduction II. Aquatic Mollusks III. Intertidal Mollusks IV. Land Mollusks V. Concluding Remarks ReferencesAuthor IndexSubject Index