不同年龄阶段马占相思( Acacia mangium)人工林营养元素的生物循环

对马占相思人工林6种营养元素(N、P、K、Ca、Mg、S)的含量、积累、分布和生物循环特点以及随林分年龄的变化趋势进行了研究.结果表明(1)林木不同组分营养元素含量的大小次序为树叶＞干皮＞活枝＞枯枝或树根＞干材;各组分和凋落物中营养元素含量以N最高,其次是Ca或K,然后是S和Mg,P最低;林地土壤中,以K的含量最高,其次是Ca、Mg、N和P,S最低;随林龄的增加,0～40cm土壤N、P和S含量呈增加趋势;(2)4年、7年生和11年生林分营养元素总积累量分别为1022.08、1997.08和2633.45 kg·hm-2,其中乔木层营养元素贮存量依次占73.64%、82.39% 和83.65%,林下植被层依次占13.74%、8.74%和6.20%,地表现存凋落物层依次占12.62%、8.87%和10.16%;乔木层以N积累量最大,占总贮存量的53.90%～60.07%,P最小,仅占0.90%～1.23%;(3)马占相思林中不同组分营养元素积累量的分配随林龄的增长发生变化,由4年生以树叶和树枝占主导,逐渐转移到7年生和11年生以干材和树皮为主导;(4)林分营养元素年积累量依次为7年生(235.06 kg·hm-2·a-1)＞11年生(200.26 kg·hm-2·a-1)＞4年生(188.16kg·hm-2·a-1);林木各组分营养元素年积累量总的变化趋势为树干＞树叶＞树枝＞根系＞树皮,同一组分各营养元素年积累量与各组分营养元素积累量变化顺序一致,即为N＞Ca＞K＞S＞M＞P;(5)林分营养元素年吸收量分别为382.35、432.04 kg·hm-2·a-1和403.15 kg·hm-2·a-1,年归还量分别为194.19、196.98 kg·hm-2·a-1和202.89 kg·hm-2·a-1,营养元素的循环系数分别为0.51、0.46和0.50,利用系数为0.51、0.26和0.18,周转期为3.88、8.35和10.86.可见,马占相思人工林早期营养元素利用率低,归还速率较快,林分生长到近熟期(11a)时营养元素的周转期较长,但其归还速率仍然较快,有利于林地地力的恢复、维持和提高.     

锐齿栎森林生态系统主要营养元素的层次分布

应用标准地 -标准木 -分层切割法和破坏性取样化学分析法 ,在林分器官、个体、群体和系统 4个水平上测定了秦岭锐齿栎林的生物量、营养含量和积累量。结果显示 :光合器官N、P、K和 Mg含量季节变化是从展叶到落叶逐渐下降 ,Ca则相反。枝内 N、P、K含量随枝径增加明显下降 ,Ca、Mg含量变化有所不同。树干木质部和树皮 N、P、K、Ca和 Mg含量与树干圆盘高度呈显著的正相关或正相关。根系 N、P、K、Ca和 Mg含量随根径的增加呈显著的降低趋势。 69年生锐齿栎林木生物量为 1 2 35.782 kg,营养积累量为 1 4.498kg,林木不同器官的生物量、营养含量和积累量存在较大的差异 ;叶和皮在林分营养积累和分配中具有重要意义。2 6年生锐齿栎林生态系统生物量为 1 95.7998t· hm- 2 ,营养总贮量达 390 .1 739t· hm- 2 (包括 0～ 60 cm土壤 ) ,土层占总量的 99.39% ,各层次营养积累量排序为 :土壤层 乔木层 枯枝落叶层 >灌木层 >草本层。 2 6年生锐齿栎林营养年吸收量、存留量和归还量分别为 334、374、1 38.870和 1 95.50 2 kg· hm- 2 ,且各元素的循环情况各不相同 ;林分平均归还率为0 .585,各元素的归还率不同 ,林分吸收的营养元素多一半归还予林地。     

广州城市森林六种典型林分碳积累研究

以广州市城市森林中桉树、马占相思、黧蒴、木荷、马尾松、杉木林分为研究对象, 采用样方调查和解析木测定相结合的方法, 分析了各林分乔木层、灌木层、草本层、枯落物层和土壤层碳储量的分配状况, 及不同树种在生长过程中的碳积累规律。研究结果表明, 各林分碳储量的分布均表现为土壤层>植被层(乔木、灌木及草本层)>枯落物层, 但是林分间存在差异, 土壤层碳储量最高为马占相思林, 植被层碳储量最高为黧蒴林。各林分的总碳储量依次为马占相思(283.95 t·hm-2)>黧蒴(262.99 t·hm-2)>木荷(244.92 t·hm-2)>马尾松(224.09 t·hm-2)>桉树(166.28 t·hm-2)>杉木(157.66 t·hm-2)。各树种均在7 a时的材积则表现为桉树(0.1037 m3)>马占相思(0.0386 m3)>杉木(0.0189 m3)>木荷(0.0102 m3)>马尾松(0.0068 m3)>黧蒴(0.0038 m3); 25年生(25 a生)时黧蒴(0.3001 m3)>木荷(0.2228 m3)>马尾松(0.0783 m3)。其中, 7 a生马尾松的材积高于黧蒴, 然而25 a生材积正好相反。六种林分年均净生产力表现为: 桉树(7.57 t·hm-2·a-1)>马占相思(6.67 t·hm-2·a-1)>黧蒴(4.49 t·hm-2·a-1)>木荷(3.22 t·hm-2·a-1)>杉木(2.49 t·hm-2·a-1)>马尾松(1.37 t·hm-2·a-1)。该研究可为南亚热带城市森林中主要人工林树种和林分固碳效益的评价提供依据。     

云南干热河谷印楝和大叶相思人工纯林与混交林养分循环特征

为了更好地指导干热河谷不同恢复模式下人工林经营过程中的养分管理以及造林模式的筛选,以元谋干热河谷10年生印楝和大叶相思为研究对象,对其纯林及混交林内N、P、K、Ca、Mg主要养分元素的积累、分配和循环进行研究.结果表明： 印楝纯林、大叶相思纯林及印楝+大叶相思混交林5种营养元素的总积累量分别为333.05、725.61和533.85 kg·hm^-2,印楝纯林各器官养分积累量为枝＞干＞根＞叶＞皮,大叶相思纯林与混交林均为枝＞干＞叶＞根＞皮.印楝纯林内5种养分元素的积累量为Ca＞K＞N＞Mg＞P,大叶相思纯林与混交林一致,均为Ca＞N＞K＞Mg＞P.林分养分年存留量为62.72～162.19 kg·hm^-2·a^-1,总归还量为48.82～88.86 kg·hm^-2·a^-1,年吸收量为111.54～251.05 kg·hm^-2·a^-1,均以大叶相思纯林最高,其次是混交林,印楝纯林最低.林分对营养元素的利用系数为0.34～0.39,循环系数为0.35～0.44,周转期为6.54～8.17 a.印楝纯林内N和P的归还量小,循环速率低;大叶相思纯林内N和P的循环速率较大,有利于林地养分的维持;混交林内养分吸收量和归还量为印楝纯林的186.2%和167.2%,N、P和K的循环速率大于印楝纯林,Ca的周转期短于大叶相思纯林的50%.印楝和大叶相思混交种植有利于林地土壤肥力的恢复和生产力的维持.
     

南亚热带鹤山主要人工林生态系统C、N累积及分配格局的模拟研究

 以南亚热带鹤山的马占相思（Acacia mangium）、湿地松（Pinus elliotii）和荷木（Schima uperba）3种代表性人工林生态系统为对象,利用气象、水文、土壤及植物等方面的资料对CENTURY模型进行了参数化,模拟了3种人工林生态系统1985～2100年的C、N累积动态及其分配格局变化,并利用实测资料对模拟结果进行了独立样本的双尾t检验,模拟值与实测值之间没有显著差异（p=0.995）。模拟结果表明,马占相思林的净初级生产力（NPP）呈指数函数形式下降,约在20龄（2005年）时趋于稳定;荷木林的NPP持续缓慢增加;湿地松林的NPP基本维持恒定;20龄以前3种林分的年均NPP分别为12.2 t·hm-2·a-1、6.7 t·hm-2·a-1和2.5 t·hm-2·a-1。马占相思林生物量呈对数函数形式增加,20龄后增加很少;荷木林与湿地松林的生物量呈直线增加,约在2050年时,荷木林的NPP和生物量将超过马占相思林;2100年时马占相思、荷木与湿地松林的生物量将分别达到252.7 t·hm-2、352.4t·hm-2和226.3t·hm-2。荷木林具有更大C累积潜力。3种人工林生态系统的N累积动态与其生物量累积动态相似,但马占相思林生态系统的N累积量远高于荷木林与湿地松林,至2100年时它们的N累积量将分别达到7.2t·hm-2、1.9t·hm-2和2.2t·hm-2。3种林分的C、N随着林分的发育将更多地分配到茎、枝和根部。马占相思林的叶C、N累积量约在2005年后分别下降1.85t·hm-2和0.20t·hm-2,荷木林的叶C、N累积则分别增加0.09t·hm-2和0.05 t·hm-2,湿地松林叶C、N累积分别增加0.57t·hm-2和0.02 t·hm-2,这一模拟结果显示了马占相思林冠层萎缩的内在原因。外来树种组成的马占相思林先锋群落冠层衰退过早,阳生性灌木的大量入侵和定居可能会滞缓地带性森林植被的恢复进程。因此认为我国南亚热带地区进行地带性森林植被恢复时,先锋森林群落的构建应以荷木等本地树种为主。     

宝天曼自然保护区锐齿栎林生态系统营养元素循环

对河南内乡宝天曼自然保护区内 35年生的天然次生锐齿栎林生态系统的营养元素循环进行研究 ,结果表明 :所测定系统中的 N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Na、Mn、Zn、Cu1 0种营养元素积累总量为 1 0 387.894kg·hm- 2 ,土壤库贮量 8880 .70 9kg·hm- 2 ,占 85 .49% ;植物体贮量 1 5 0 7.1 82 kg·hm- 2 ,占 1 4.5 1 % ,其中活植物体占 90 .5 6% ,凋落物占 9.44%。系统中 1 0种营养元素年吸收量 2 0 7.5 4 5 kg· hm- 2 ,年存留量1 0 5 .2 85 kg· hm- 2 ,年归还量 1 0 1 .65 1 kg·hm- 2 ,年积累速率为 77.8986kg·hm- 2 ;年归还量占年吸收量48.98% ,表明系统中营养元素的循环处于良好的平衡状态。 1 0种营养元素的平均利用系数为 0 .1 85 ,平均周转期为 9.98a。其中 P、N、Mg、Na、Mn的周转期较短为 4～ 8a,K、Ca、Fe、Cu周转期较长为 1 0～ 1 6a,Zn的周转期最长为 1 7.4a。     

施氮量及底追比例对小麦产量、土壤硝态氮含量和氮平衡的影响

研究了高产麦田中施氮量和底追比例对冬小麦籽粒产量、土壤硝态氮含量和氮素平衡的影响。田间试验在山东省龙口市中村进行,试验区小麦各生育阶段的降雨量和零度以上的积温分别为：82.9mm, 649.8℃ (播种～冬前)、33.3mm, 578.7℃(冬前～拔节)、28mm, 359℃(拔节～开花)、84.3mm, 837.6℃(开花～成熟)。试验设3个施氮量：0kg•hm^－2(CK)、168kg•hm^－2(A)、240kg•hm^－2(B);在施氮量168kg•hm^－2和240kg•hm^－2条件下分别设3个底追比例：1/2∶1/2(A1和B1)、1/3∶2/3(A2和B2)、0∶1(A3和B3)。结果表明：不同施氮处理之间植株氮积累量无显著差异;与不施氮处理相比,施氮可显著提高籽粒产量和蛋白质含量,施氮量为168kg•hm^－2、底追比例为1/3∶2/3的处理A2与处理B2、B3差异不显著,但处理A2显著提高了氮肥利用率,降低了土壤残留量和氮素表观损失量;施氮量相同,适当增加追施氮肥的比例可显著提高籽粒产量、蛋白质含量和氮肥利用率。试验还表明,在拔节期,底施氮量为84kg•hm^－2和120kg•hm^－2的处理A1、B1,在80～100cm和100～160cm土层分别出现硝态氮的累积;而底施氮量为56kg•hm^－2的处理A2,在0～200cm土层硝态氮含量和累积量与不施氮处理无显著差异。在成熟期,追施氮量大于160kg•hm^－2的处理B3、A3和B2,硝态氮在120～180cm土层出现累积高峰,已下移到小麦根系可吸收范围之外,易于造成淋溶损失;而追氮量为112kg•hm^－2的处理A2,在100～200cm土层硝态氮累积量与对照无显著差异。试验中,施氮量为168kg•hm^－2底追比例为1/3∶2/3的处理A2的籽粒产量、蛋白质含量、地上部植株氮肥吸收利用率、氮肥农学利用率和籽粒氮肥吸收利用率均较高,100～200cm土层未出现硝态氮的明显累积,氮素表观损失量最少,为最佳氮肥运筹方式。     

川西亚高山林线交错带植被凋落物量及养分归还动态

从2006—2008年,研究了川西亚高山林线交错带群落凋落物产量及N、P、K、Ca和Mg主要养分归还动态。结果表明:林线交错带植被凋落物年产量为389.83kg.hm-2.a-1,5种主要养分年归还量总量为15.82kg.hm-2.a-1,归还量排序为Ca>N>K>Mg>P。其中,叶、枝和其他混合杂物分别占凋落物总量的72.2%、17.9%和9.9%,占养分归还总量的87.4%、7.0%和5.6%。凋落物各组分及养分归还月动态均呈单峰曲线型变化,叶高峰期在9月,而枝、杂物则在10月。凋落物养分含量季节动态因不同凋落物组分和养分元素而异。叶凋落物中N、P、K和Mg含量在生长高峰的6、7月较高,而Ca含量较低;枝凋落物各元素含量总体上月变化不显著,其他混合杂物各元素含量6与10月相对较高,其余各月则无显著差异。     

秦岭南坡锐齿栎林的生态环境及其营养积累

秦岭锐齿栎林 (含 0～ 6 0cm土层 )营养元素总储量达 182 .6 4 5～ 394 .70 1t·hm-2 ,植被占 0 .5 9%～2 .13% ;林分生物量为 131.713～ 5 0 3.82 2t·hm-2 ,乔木层占 92 .1%～ 99.2 % ;凋落物层现存量和营养元素积累量分别为 2 .897～ 33.999t·hm-2 和 10 4 .339～ 1136 .5 36kg·hm-2 .在一定范围内 ,林分生物量和营养元素积累量随密度的增加而增大 ;立地、林分条件相似的林分 ,生物量和营养元素积累量与林龄呈正相关 .林分针叶树占的比例越大 ,营养元素积累量越小 ,而且对生物量的影响远小于对营养元素积累量的影响 .在同一地区 ,立地、林分状况相似 ,林型不同 ,生物量及营养元素积累量差别不大 ,树种组成和林型不同林分的生物量和营养元素积累量均不同 .不同地区 ,生态和林分条件相似的林分的生物量和营养元素积累量也有差异 ;林型、结构相似林分生物量和营养元素积累量南坡 >北坡 ,中段 东段≈西段 .林分对营养元素利用率与海拔呈负相关 ,且南坡 >北坡 ,中段 >东西段 ,中段 >西段 >东段 .     

神农架巴山冷杉天然林凋落量及养分特征

研究了湖北神农架巴山冷杉 (Abies fargesii) 天然林凋落物量、凋落物N、P、K、Ca、Mg的含量及其归还量。结果表明:巴山冷杉天然林的年凋落量为5702.99kg·hm-2;巴山冷杉林的凋落 物组成比较丰富, 主要有落叶、落枝、球花、球果和其他5部分, 其中以落叶为多, 占总凋落量的46.00%;凋落量的月变化模式呈双峰型, 分别在2006年10~11月和2007年4~5月达到峰值;凋落物养分含量的大小顺序为:N>K>Ca>P>Mg;N、P、 K、Ca、Mg的年归还量分别为:39.1063、4.5346、13.4367、5.4965和0.0911kg·hm-2;就凋落物各组分的养分年归 还量而言, 落叶的养分归还量远远大于其余组分的养分归还量, 占总归还量的52.65%。因此, 不论凋落量还是养分归还量, 巴山冷杉林凋落物中的落叶都占绝对优势。     

六种藓类植物茎的比较解剖学研究

通过对6种藓类植物,即褶叶青藓(Brachythecium salebrosum(Web.et Mohr.)B.S.G.)、湿地匐灯藓(Plagiomnium acutum(Lindb.)Kop.)、侧枝匐灯藓(Plagiomnium maximoviczii(Lindb.)Kop.)、大凤尾藓(Fissidensnobilis Griff.)、大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium(Doz.et Molk.)B.S.G.)和大灰藓(Hypnum plumaeforme Wils.)嫩茎和老茎的石蜡切片和显微观察发现,同一藓类植株的嫩茎和老茎,茎结构稳定,不同种藓类植物茎横切面具有不同特征.植物体茎横切面形状、表层细胞的层数、细胞大小和细胞壁厚薄、皮层细胞大小和形状、中轴的有无以及比例等特征可以作为藓类植物的分科分类依据之一.     

Photoregulation of seed germination of wild-type and of an aurea-mutant of tomato

Seed germination of an aurea mutant of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is promoted by continuous irradiation with red, far-red or long-wavelength far-red (758 nm) light as well as by cyclic irradiations (5 min red or 5 min far-red/25 min darkness). Far-red light applied immediately after each red does not change the germination behaviour. Seed germination of the isogenic wild-type, cv. UC-105, is promoted by continuous and cyclic red light while it is inhibited by continuous and cyclic far-red light and by continious 758 nm irradiation. Far-red irradiation reverses almost completely the promoting effect of red light. The promoting effect (in the aurea mutant) and the inhibitory effect (in the wild-type) of continuous far-red light do not show photon fluence rate dependency above 20 nmol m⁻² s⁻¹. It is concluded that phytochrome controls tomato seed germination throgh low energy responses in both the wild type and the au mutant. The promoting effect of continuous and cyclic far-red light in the au mutant can be attributed to a greater sensitivity to P_fr.     

Cause of Senescence of Nine Sorts of Flowers

The levels of endogenous phytohormones and respiratory rate in nine sorts of flowers such as Cymbidium faberi Rolfe, Nopalxochia ackermannii Kunth and others were investigated both at full bloom and senescence and meanwhile the effect of exogenous phytohormones on prolonging the blossoms and promoting ethylene production were tested. There is a high content of endogenous ethylene in all the long-lived flowere, about 3–16 folds higer than the short-lived ones. There is a high level of ABA at full blooming flowers of short-lived flowers, in which there is no or only some cytokinins in it, but the ratio of CTK (6BA+zeatin)/ABA is smaller(l.7). The endogenous ABA reached a much higher level at senescence in all nine sorts of flowers, so it is reasonable to consider that it is ABA which plays an important role of regulation in controlling flower's senescence. There is a much higher level of GA3 and zeatin in the long-lived flowers which is not demonstrated in the shortlived ones. The respiratory rate is one of the factors controtling the longevity of flowers, but it does not play a decided role. Application of 6BA and zeatin prolongs distinctly orchid’s longevity, however exogenous IAA through the promotive action on ethylene production, evidently extends the longevity of the flowers of the Nopalxochia ackermannii Kunth.     

龙胆科药用植物化学成分的研究现状

龙胆科植物在我国的分布范围很广,且多数为药用植物,其多数种属的药用植物,至今其化学成分尚未被系统研究。综述了目前龙胆科药用植物的化学成分的研究现状及一般提取方法,对近年来发现的环烯醚萜及裂环烯醚萜类化合物进行了总结,为本科药用植物的更深入研究提供了参考。     

Interconnection of parameters of regulation system of lipid peroxidation and of morphophysiological parameters of mouse liver

A complex analysis of seasonal fluctuations of the mean group parameters of the system of regulation of lipid peroxidation has been performed in liver of Balb/c mice. Association of lipid characteristics and morphophysiological parameters is studied in the Balb/c mouse liver. An inter-connection is revealed between the liver index and the amount of lysoforms of phospholipids, the scale and character of the interconnection differing essentially depending on proportion of phos-phatidylcholine in mouse liver phospholipids.     

The effects of glutamine of the maintenance of embryogenic cultures of Cryptomeria japonica

Summary Embryogenic tissues of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) were induced on a modified Campbell and Durzan (CD) medium containing 1 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 600 mg l⁻¹ glutamine, and subcultured in the medium of the same composition for over 1 yr. This resulted in a mixed culture of embryogenic and non-embryogenic cells. When embryogenic cells were isolated and cultured independently, their capacity to form embryogenic aggregates was lost. Thus, the non-embryogenic cells present within a mixed culture system were essential to the formation of embryogenic aggregates. When embryogenic tissues were isolated and cultured independently on a high glutamine-containing (2400 mg l⁻¹) medium, dry weights and endogenous levels of glutamine increased, and the tissue could generate a large number of embryogenic aggregates. Amino acid analysis of embryogenic and non-embryogenic cells from the maintenance culture indicated a higher level of glutamine was present in the latter. The high endogenous level of glutamine in the non-embryogenic portion of mixed cell masses may be the supplier of glutamine for maintaining the embryogenic property of the tissues.     

Specificity of action of piperidylcholine derivatives as substrates of cholinesterases of various origin

The review deals with study of enzymologic properties of a novel highly specific acetylcholinesterase substrate, N-(β-acetoxyethyl) piperidinium iodomethylate (“piperidylcholine”), and its 30 derivatives that were tested as effectors of cholinesterases of mammals and various species of Pacific squids. It was proven for the first time that responsible for specificity of action was structure of cyclic ammonium grouping of the alcohol part of molecule of the ester substrate. Analysis of specificity is performed based on enzymatic hydrolysis parameters—activity of catalytic center of cholinesterases and bimolecular constant of the reaction rate that are determined at optimal and low substrate concentrations. Among the specially synthesized group of thioester compounds there is revealed one more highly specific acetylcholinesterase substrate—N-(β-acetoxyethyl) piperidinium.     

Physiological characteristics of various species of strains of carboxydobacteria

Seven strains of aerobic carbon monoxide-oxidizing bacteria (carboxydebacteria) when growing on CO as sole source of carbon and energy had doubling times which ranged from 12–42 h. The activity profiles obtained after discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation indicated that the CO-oxidizing enzymes are soluble and the hydrogenases are membrane-bound in all strains examined. The CO-oxidizing enzymes of Pseudomonas carboxydohydrogena, Pseudomonas carboxydoflava, Comamonas compransoris, and the so far unidentified strains OM2, OM3, and OM4 had a molecular weight of 230,000; that of Achromobacter carboxydus amounted to 170,000. The molecular weights of the CO-oxidizing and H₂-oxidizing enzymes turned out to be identical. The cell sonicates were shown to catalyze the oxidation of both CO and H₂ with methylene blue, thionine, phenazine methosulfate, toluylene blue, dichlorophenolindophenol, cytochrome c or ferricyanide as electron acceptors. Methyl viologen, benzyl viologen, FAD⁺, FMN⁺, and NAD(P)⁺ were not reduced. The spectrum of electron acceptors was identical for all strains tested. Neither free formate, hydrogen nor oxygen gas were involved in the CO-oxidation reaction. Methylene blue was reduced by CO at a 1:1 molar ratio. The results indicate that CO-oxidation by carboxydobacteria is catalyzed by identical or similar enzymes and that the reaction obeys the equation CO+H₂OCO₂+2H⁺+2e^- as previously shown for Pseudomonas carboxydovorans.Dedicated to Otto Kandler remembering almost three decades of enjoyable cooperation     

Modulation of allostery of pyruvate kinase by shifting of an ensemble of microstates

Since the introduction of the concepts of allostery about four decades ago, much advancement has been made in elucidating the structure-function correlation in allostery. However, there are still a number of issues that remain unresolved. In this review we used mammalian pyruvate kinase (PK) as a model system to understand the role of protein dynamics in modulating cooperativity. PK has a triosephosphate isomerase (TIM)(α/β)₈ barrel structural motif. PK is an ideal system to address basic questions regarding regulatory mechanisms about this common (α/β)₈ structural motif. The simplest model accounting for all of the solution thermodynamic and kinetic data on ligand-enzyme interactions involves two conformational states, inactive E^T and active E^R. These conformational states are represented by domain movements. Further studies provide the first evidence for a differential effect of ligand binding on the dynamics of the structural elements, not major secondary structural changes. These data are consistent with our model that allosteric regulation of PK is the consequence of perturbation of the distribution of an ensemble of states in which the inactive E^T and active E^R represent the two extreme end states. Sequence differences and ligands can modulate the distribution of states leading to alterations of functions. The future work includes: defining the network of functionally connected residues; elucidating the chemical principles governing the sequence differences which affect functions; and probing the nature of mutations on the stability of the secondary structural elements, which in turn modulate allostery.