Necessitarianism and teleology in Aristotle's biology

In Aristotle's biological works, there is an apparent conflict between passages which seem to insist that only hypothetical necessity (anagk ex hypotheses) operates in the sublunary world, and passages in which some biological phenomena are explained as simply (hapls) necessary. Parallel to this textual problem lies the claim that explanations in terms of simple necessity render teleological explanations (in some of which Aristotle puts hypothetical necessity to use) superfluous. I argue that the textual conflict is only apparent, and that Aristotle's notion of coincidental sameness allows him to avoid the superfluity problem.     

Applying Aristotle's Doctrine of Causation to Aboriginal and Biomedical Understandings of Diabetes

Aristotle's doctrine on causationidentifies four distinct types of cause: formal, efficient,material, and final. Science is said to have differentiateditself from philosophy by concentrating solely on efficientcauses. Nonetheless, when applied to narratives of causation,Aristotle's doctrine provides a useful heuristic to explore theissues such as Aboriginal and biomedical perceptions of causalfactors for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) onManitoulin Island, Ontario. This paper also outlines twodivergent causal stories for NIDDM and the associated moralpositions regarding the righteous pursuit of health. Biomedical narratives emphasize the role of lifestyle factors,particularly the impact of obesity, in causation. In the case ofdiabetes, the moral course of action is pursued through lifestylechoices. In contrast, Aboriginal narratives emphasize the roleof genetics in causation. These narratives describe diabetes ascollectively affecting Aboriginal people – thus identifyingAboriginal people as different. Aboriginal frameworks for healthventure beyond the efficient cause of biomedicine and thus themoral pursuit of health within this framework involves returningto an initial state of health and purity through traditionalknowledge.     

Anatomical evidence and the taxonomic position of Darmera (Saxifragaceae)

GORNALL, R. J., 1989. Anatomical evidence and the taxonomic position of Darmera (Saxifragaceae). Evidence from the anatomy of nodes, petioles, trichomes, leaf crystals, ovules and seed-surfaces agrees with other published data to show that segregation of Darmera from the Saxifragaceae is unwarranted. The combined evidence indicates that the closest relatives of the genus are Astilboides, Bergenia and Mukdenia. A putative hybrid origin for this group of genera is suggested.     

8种蒲公英属植物叶柄解剖学特征与分类学意义

采用石蜡切片法在光学显微镜下观察8种蒲公英属(Taraxacum)植物叶柄中部横切面的解剖特征.结果表明:8种蒲公英属植物不同种叶柄中部横切面形状不同,可分为椭圆形、长椭圆形和扁椭圆形.维管束类型可分为两大类,周韧和近周韧,且每种蒲公英的维管束数目和大小都不尽相同.这些特征在种之间差异比较明显,可作为种间分类鉴定的重要依据,并为蒲公英属植物亲缘关系鉴定提供了解剖学证据.     

光滑足距小蠹消化道的解剖结构

采用体视显微和扫描电镜技术研究光滑足距小蠹Xylosandrus germanus(Blandford)消化道的解剖结构。结果表明,光滑足距小蠹消化道由前肠、中肠和后肠三部分组成。成虫前胃由8个骨化的前胃板组成,呈灯笼状结构。前胃板由板状部和片状部组成,板状部短而简单,片状部甚长,由斜面、咀嚼刷和关闭刚毛组成。胃盲囊着生在中肠近后端,有细管状和囊状2种,成虫分别有1对,幼虫有1对细管状和3~5对囊状。6根马氏管分成2组,1组4根,另一组2根。6根马氏管与后肠肠壁形成隐肾系统。消化道具有1对囊状和1对细管状的胃盲囊可作为光滑足距小蠹成虫的识别特征。     

水龙骨亚科植物(水龙骨科)的形态解剖学研究

对水龙骨科水龙骨亚科5属16种植物的孢子形态、叶表皮结构、叶柄和根状茎的横切、根状茎上的鳞片以及叶脉特征进行了详细的观察和分析,探讨了该亚科植物的系统位置和亲缘关系。结果表明,在该亚科植物类群中,主要分布于亚洲亚热带地区的篦齿蕨属、拟水龙骨属和水龙骨属的亲缘关系较近,而主要分布于亚洲热带地区的棱脉蕨属和亚洲温带地区的多足蕨属的系统位置则分别较孤立。     

墨兰组织培养植株的叶结构和生理特性

墨兰叶肉没有海绵组织和栅栏组织的分化,但在叶的不同部分的叶脉附近叶肉细胞有不同的形态变化。叶尖和叶中部中脉附近的叶肉细胞排列紧密。细胞明显伸长,似栅栏组织,叶基部中 叶肉细胞没有伸长,叶部叶绿体周径大,叶绿素含量高,光合速率亦较高,且Fv/Fm、φPSⅡ和qp均较叶的其他部分高。     

青藏高原七种马先蒿属植物根的比较解剖研究

作者对青藏高原7种马先蒿属植物根进行了解剖和比较研究,发现：（1）根内部皮层多挤压变形,其内的空腔边缘多呈撕裂状,通气组织普遍发达;（2）根的维管柱机械组织发达;（3）作者首次发现,在马先蒿属2种植物根的维管柱内射线部位,也有边缘呈撕裂状的较大的空腔通气组织。根据解剖特征,对7种马先蒿植物的分类进化关系也进行了初步的探讨。     

高产小麦品种茎秆的解剖和化学特性

小麦(TriticumaestivumL.)新品种“小偃81”,是由抗病虫害小麦品种“小偃54”和高产小麦品种“8602”杂交筛选出的具有优良特性的后代。作者运用多种实验手段,研究了新品种茎秆组织结构以及木质素含量和分布的变化规律。结果表明:与母本“小偃54”和父本“8602”相比,“小偃81”的茎秆直径变小、横切面上维管束数目减少,而茎秆直径与壁厚比、横切面上机械组织比例却显著增大,单位面积上维管束数目增多。Klason法测定木质素结果显示:“小偃81”茎秆中木质素含量高于“小偃54”和“8602”。经Ma黮e和Wiesner的木质素显色反应,“小偃81”茎秆横切面染色明显加深。用H2O2/HAc弃除酚酸以后,新品种小麦的木质素自发荧光明显强于亲本。FTIR分析结果表明:“小偃81”中所含的紫丁香基、愈创木酚基等木质素特征基团的吸收峰值也显著高于亲本。由此推断,新品种“小偃81”的茎秆具有优良的组织结构和化学组成。     

高山红景天营养器官解剖学的研究

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对高山红景天营养器官进行了详细观察 ,结果表明 :高山红景天营养器官结构与双子叶多年生草本植物解剖结构相似。其地下部分的根茎和根较发达。营养器官储藏物质分布有一定规律 ,其含量依次为根茎 >根 >茎>叶 ,这与药用部位相吻合。并对高山红景天生存环境与其结构相关性进行了讨论     

鳞皮鳞木Lepidodendron lepidophloides Yao叶座的解剖构造

描述了贵州水城矿区汪家寨组 (晚二叠世晚期 )煤核中一种脱落的具解剖构造的鳞木类叶座。这些叶座在大小和形态上与鳞皮鳞木 (LepidodendronlepidophloidesYao)很相似 ,很可能属于同一种植物的不同保存类型的叶座。将鳞皮鳞木与已知几个鳞木类植物叶座属 ,如鳞木属、鳞皮木属、封印木属和华夏木属进行了对比 ,认为鳞皮鳞木具有这几个属的混合特征 ,将其归入上述任何一属似乎都不太妥当。该类植物有可能代表了一个新属。由于茎的其他部分构造不明以及这些叶座与生殖构造的联系目前尚不清楚 ,因此 ,本文暂时采用鳞皮鳞木这一种名 ,其确切归属留待对其茎的其他部分的解剖构造以及与生殖器官之间的联系都清楚了以后再行决定。首次较详细地报道华夏植物区鳞木类植物叶座的解剖构造。     

四川藁本属植物果实和叶柄解剖学研究

对四川省藁本属5种植物的叶柄及果实进行了解剖研究,结果表明:藁本属植物的果实分为近两侧压扁和背腹压扁两种类型,背棱每棱槽内油管总数多为1~4个,合生面油管总数4~8个,在少数种间有一定的差异;胚乳背面微微隆起,腹面平直或微凹,如多管藁本,胚乳向内微凹;在蕨叶藁本中,胚乳占很大的比重,胚乳形状有很明显的个体差异.果实的压扁程度、油管特征、胚乳的形状等特征可以作为确定本属植物种间关系的依据.叶柄横切面类型多样,包括圆型、U型和V型,其中U型植物3种,占60%;近轴面除蕨叶藁本外,都具有沟槽;膜苞藁本和抽葶藁本中不具有髓腔,其他种类具髓腔,且大小、形状略有不同;横切面上维管束的数目多为5~14个,排列类型为圆型、U型、V型.以上叶柄等特征比较稳定,并且具有明显的种间差异,可以作为本属分类的重要依据.     

贺氏双子铁与摩瑞大泽米羽片和叶轴的解剖学研究

对贺氏双子铁和摩瑞大泽米的羽片和叶轴进行了比较研究,对两种植物的结构特征与对环境的适应性进行了分析,结果表明：两个种类的结构有很大的差异。贺氏双子铁的羽片仅在下表皮有气孔器分布,在近轴面仅有1～2层较短的栅栏组织,维管束与粘液道在垂周方向相对而生;摩瑞大泽米羽片在上下表皮均有气孔器,近轴面和远轴面均有较长的2～3层的栅栏组织,为等面叶,维管束与粘液道在平周方向相间排列。此外,两个种的维管束结构及叶缘结构等也有很大的差异。在叶轴方面,贺氏双子铁的表皮气孔数比摩瑞大泽米的气孔数明显要少,而且摩瑞大泽米的表皮内侧有一环富含叶绿体的栅栏组织,且在栅栏组织的内方还有发达的富含叶绿体的海绵组织,而贺氏双子铁则没有。此外,摩瑞大泽米在基本组织中含有较多的副转输组织,而贺氏双子铁则无。在粘液道大小、排列方式上两种类也有很大的不同。贺氏双子铁的维管束韧皮部明显比木质部发达,而摩瑞大泽米木质部和韧皮部的发达程度相近。     

部分裸子植物茎次生韧皮部和木材的比较解剖

茎次生韧皮部和木材的比较解剖支持红豆杉科、三尖杉科和罗汉松科自然类群、不主张建立穗花杉科和竹柏科     

On the Chemical Nature and Origin of Teleonomy

The physico-chemical characterization of a teleonomic event and the nature of the physico-chemical process by which teleonomic systems could emerge from non-teleonomic systems are addressed in this paper. It is proposed that teleonomic events are those whose primary directive is discerned to be non-thermodynamic, while regular (non-teleonomic) events are those whose primary directive is the traditional thermodynamic one. For the archetypal teleonomic event, cell multiplication, the non-thermodynamic directive can be identified as being a kinetic directive. It is concluded, therefore, that the process of emergence, whereby non-teleonomic replicating chemical systems were transformed into teleonomic ones, involved a switch in the primacy of thermodynamic and kinetic directives. It is proposed that the step where that transformation took place was the one in which some pre-metabolic replicating system acquired an energy-gathering capability, thereby becoming metabolic. Such a transformation was itself kinetically directed given that metabolic replicators tend to be kinetically more stable than non-metabolic ones. The analysis builds on our previous work that considers living systems to be a kinetic state of matteras opposed to the traditional thermodynamic states that dominate the inanimate world     

Anatomical and developmental bases for the ventral arc of the human pubis

The ventral arc of the pubis is frequently used for sexing adult human hip bones. This study addresses the issues of the anatomical and developmental bases for the ventral arc. Dissection of seven adult pelves (four females and three males) demonstrates that the sexes are identical in the muscular and ligamentous attachments to this ridge of bone. The tendons of gracilis and adductor brevis, which are fused for a variable extent, arise from the ridge of bone, and the fibers of the ventral pubic ligament attach to its medial border. Lateral placement of the ventral arc is defined in terms of the minimum distance between the ridge of bone and the inferior border of the symphyseal face of the pubis. The hypothesis that lateral placement of the ventral arc is positively correlated with pubic length was tested using two random samples of adult female hip bones (N = 50 for both whites and blacks) from the Hamann-Todd collection. The correlation between these variables is significant. The results support the argument that lateral placement of the ventral arc is related to the amount of postadolescent growth occurring at the symphyseal border of the pubis. Therefore, the ventral arc should not be considered as an independent criterion from pubic length in sexing adult hip bones.     

Anatomical study of zygotic and somatic embryos of Tilia cordata

A comparative anatomical study was carried out on zygotic and somatic embryos of Tilia cordata Mill. to evaluate the effect of growth conditions on their development. Zygotic embryos (heart-shaped, torpedo, cotyledonary), collected during two autumn periods, were examined to investigate the effect of growing season on embryo development. In comparison, the influence of growth conditions on the development of somatic embryos in vitro was also studied. Treatment with abscisic acid (ABA) and polyethylene glycol-4000 induced the development of somatic cotyledonary embryos similar to zygotic embryos with respect to morphology and anatomy, as illustrated by the differentiation of the apical meristems and of the procambium. The pattern of accumulation of starch and protein was also similar in these embryos. Somatic cotyledonary embryos that developed spontaneously without ABA showed defective accumulation of storage material and a general failure to form the shoot apical meristem, leading to very low germination rates. Vacuolar phenolic deposits were observed along the procambium of both zygotic and somatic embryos regardless of the maturation stage. Tracheid formation was observed only in somatic embryos formed without ABA in the medium and in precociously germinated somatic embryos. Phenolic vacuolar inclusions were frequently observed in epidermal cells of these embryos. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

地椒花蜜腺发育的解剖学观察

通过显微和亚显微观察对地椒花蜜腺的发育进行了研究。地椒花蜜腺位于子房基部的花盘上,属于盘状蜜腺,新鲜时呈绿色。蜜腺由分泌表皮和泌蜜组织组成,分泌表皮为一层细胞,表皮细胞角质膜较厚,表皮上分布着大量的气孔器,气孔器突出于表面;泌蜜组织细胞多层。花盘中央有维管束通向子房,在维管束和泌蜜组织之间有４￣５层大型的薄壁细胞。蜜腺由花盘的表皮及其内侧相邻的细胞发育而来,在发育过程中,其细胞中的液泡和贮藏的淀粉     

番荔枝科植物叶的比较解剖学

利用扫描电镜、叶表皮离析法和石蜡切片法研究了番荔枝科93种2变种植物叶片的形态结构.结果表明番荔枝科植物叶片形态结构具有较大相似性,如叶表面均具有表皮毛,表皮细胞具有晶体,气孔器为平列型,具2～6个副卫细胞,仅分布在远轴面,普遍具有败育气孔器,叶肉组织中普遍含有油细胞等,但表皮毛的类型,表皮细胞的形状,表皮细胞内晶体的类型和形态,叶肉组织的结构具有明显的属间和种间差异.