Main description:

Learn to:

• Grasp the basics of cell function


• Identify one–celled organisms, their genetics, and their interactions


• Discover the integral part microbes play in the ecosystem

Make sense of the study of life down to the tiniest organism

Does microbiology make your head spin? You re not alone. Luckily, this down–to–earth guide makes the study of this enormously encompassing subject accessible and fun. In no time, you ll grasp life at the cellular level and transfer your knowledge of this minuscule topic to score big at exam time!

• It s a small world uncover the imperceptibly small without losing sight of the big picture with a plain–English intro to the fascinating subject of microbiology


• Meet the microorganisms get to know the main types of microorganisms and the set of tools used to study them


• More than a bad rap find out why microorganisms play a surprisingly vital role in the health of an ecosystem


• Behind microbial bars step into the microbial cell and understand how they obtain energy and convert carbon into cellular material


• Fight the good fight discover how to identify a microbial pathogen, find a list of diseases caused by microorganisms, and get the latest information on vaccines

Open the book and find:

• Easy–to–follow explanations of microbial life


• What you need to know about photosynthesis


• Plain–English explanations of the process of chemolithotrophy


• The scoop on comparing respiration and fermentation


• Tips on taking the mystery out of words ending in omics


• Creative ways to look at microbial communities

Back cover:

Learn to:

• Grasp the basics of cell function


• Identify one–celled organisms, their genetics, and their interactions


• Discover the integral part microbes play in the ecosystem

Make sense of the study of life down to the tiniest organism

Does microbiology make your head spin? You re not alone. Luckily, this down–to–earth guide makes the study of this enormously encompassing subject accessible and fun. In no time, you ll grasp life at the cellular level and transfer your knowledge of this minuscule topic to score big at exam time!

• It s a small world uncover the imperceptibly small without losing sight of the big picture with a plain–English intro to the fascinating subject of microbiology


• Meet the microorganisms get to know the main types of microorganisms and the set of tools used to study them


• More than a bad rap find out why microorganisms play a surprisingly vital role in the health of an ecosystem


• Behind microbial bars step into the microbial cell and understand how they obtain energy and convert carbon into cellular material


• Fight the good fight discover how to identify a microbial pathogen, find a list of diseases caused by microorganisms, and get the latest information on vaccines

Open the book and find:

• Easy–to–follow explanations of microbial life


• What you need to know about photosynthesis


• Plain–English explanations of the process of chemolithotrophy


• The scoop on comparing respiration and fermentation


• Tips on taking the mystery out of words ending in omics


• Creative ways to look at microbial communities

Contents:

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started with Microbiology 5

Chapter 1: Microbiology and You 7

Chapter 2: Microbiology: The Young Science 11

Chapter 3: Microbes: They re Everywhere and They Can Do Everything 21

Part II: Balancing the Dynamics of Microbial Life 29

Chapter 4: Understanding Cell Structure and Function 31

Chapter 5: Making Sense of Metabolism 49

Chapter 6: Getting the Gist of Microbial Genetics 67

Chapter 7: Measuring Microbial Growth 89

Part III: Sorting Out Microbial Diversity 105

Chapter 8: Appreciating Microbial Ancestry 107

Chapter 9: Harnessing Energy, Fixing Carbon 121

Chapter 10: Comparing Respiration and Fermentation 141

Chapter 11: Uncovering a Variety of Habitats 157

Part IV: Meeting the Microbes 179

Chapter 12: Meet the Prokaryotes 181

Chapter 13: Say Hello to the Eukaryotes 199

Chapter 14: Examining the Vastness of Viruses 219

Part V: Seeing the Impact of Microbes 237

Chapter 15: Understanding Microbes in Human Health and Disease 239

Chapter 16: Putting Microbes to Work: Biotechnology 261

Chapter 17: Fighting Microbial Diseases 283

Part VI: New Frontiers in Microbiology 299

Chapter 18: Teasing Apart Communities 301

Chapter 19: Synthesizing Life 313

Part VII: The Part of Tens 325

Chapter 20: Ten (Or So) Diseases Caused by Microbes 327

Chapter 21: Ten Great Uses for Microbes 335

Chapter 22: Ten Great Uses for Microbiology 341

Index 349