Lignin, a phenolic polymer derived mainly from hydroxycinnamyl alcohols, is ubiquitously
present in tracheophytes. The development of lignin biosynthesis has been considered to be …

The Paleozoic emergence of terrestrial plants has been linked to a stepwise increase in
Earth's O 2 levels and a cooling of Earth's climate by drawdown of atmospheric CO 2 …

Cohesion-tension transport of water is an energetically efficient way to carry large amounts
of water from the roots up to the leaves. However, the cohesion-tension mechanism places …

The evolution of transporting tissues was an important innovation in terrestrial plants that
allowed them to adapt to almost all nonaquatic environments. These tissues consist of water …

Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectromicroscopy, resonant
scattering and resonant reflectivity are specialized, synchrotron radiation based, soft X-ray …

Organic carbon burial plays a critical role in Earth systems, influencing atmospheric O2 and
CO2 concentrations and, thereby, climate. The Carboniferous Period of the Paleozoic is so …

The origin of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) perylene in sediments and
petroleum has been a matter of continued debate. Reported to occur in Phanerozoic organic …

Publisher Summary This chapter explores two records of past primary producers:
morphological fossils and molecular biomarkers. Because these two windows on ancient …

This review examines the evolution of the plant vascular system from its beginnings in the
green algae to modern arborescent plants, highlighting the recent advances in …

In vascular plants, the polysaccharide-based walls of water-conducting cells are
strengthened by impregnation with the polyphenolic polymer lignin. The fine-scale …