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Interest in this unique plant has grown dramatically over the last 10 years, and this book provides an overview and recent findings concerning cell biology, biochemistry, development, morphology, phylogeny, paleobotany, as well as possible applications in chemistry and medicine. It also covers environmental aspects and the relationship between G. biloba and humans. Thus it will be of wide interest to botanists, horticulturists and scientists working on this attractive and useful plant, and aims to both stimulate further study and contribute to the development of new fields in Ginkgo research.

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Structure and Development.- Morphology and Anatomy of Vegetative Organs in Ginkgo biloba.- Pollen Morphology of Ginkgo biloba.- Development of the Male Gametophyte of Ginkgo biloba: A Window into the Reproductive Biology of Early Seed Plants.- Development of the Female Gametophyte and the Embryogeny of Ginkgo biloba.- Contribution to the Knowledge of Fertilization of Gymnosperms with Flagellated Sperm Cells: Ginkgo biloba and Cycas revoluta.- Ultrastructure of Ginkgo biloba.- Analysis of Flagellar Movement in Ginkgo biloba Sperm by High Speed Video Microscopy.- Chromosomes of Ginkgo biloba.- Lignotuber Development in Ginkgo biloba.- Cyclic Embryogenesis from Male and Female Protoplasts.- Tissue Culture Studies on Ginkgo biloba.- Phylogeny and Fossil History.- The Genetic Diversity of Isozymes and the Possible Dissemination of Ginkgo biloba in Ancient Times in Japan.- Molecular Phylogeny of Ginkgo biloba: Close Relationship Between Ginkgo biloba and Cycads.- Mesozoic Ginkgoalean Megafossils: A Systematic Review.- Cenozoic History of Ginkgo in East Asia.- Fossils and Phenology in the Evolution of Ginkgo biloba.- Environmental Aspects.- Tolerance and Susceptibility of Ginkgo to Air Pollution.- Ginkgo and Insects.- Fungal Association with Ginkgo biloba.- Ginkgo Landscapes.- Chemistry and Clinical Application of Ginkgo Substances.- Flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba.- Allergic Substances of Ginkgo biloba.- Food Poisoning by Ginkgo biloba Seeds.- Results of Treatment with a Broad - Acting Nootropic Preparation on Chronic Diffuse Cerebral Disturbances.- Recent Advances in Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb 761).- Platelet-Activating Factor and Its Antagonists: Scientific Background and Clinical Applications of Ginkgolides.- Ginkgo and Humans.- Resources and Prospects of Ginkgo biloba in China.- A Cultural History of Ginkgo biloba in Japan and the Generic Name Ginkgo.- Scientific Contributions of Sakugoro Hirase.

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Interest in Ginkgo biloba has grown dramatically in the last 10 years, along with a corresponding increase in research on this unique and useful plant. This book provides an overview and recent findings concerning cell biology, biochemistry, development, morphology, phylogeny paleobotany, as well as possible applications in chemistry and medicine and environmental engineering.

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