The authors present a basic and accessible introduction to the world of microbiology. In the first section, "Microbial Structure and Mode of Life," the structure and functioning of fungi, bacteria, and viruses are discussed (with particular attention paid to the description and discussion of their reproduction and nutrition). The second section, "Handling Microbes," introduces the methods used to culture, control, and study these organisms in the laboratory. The final section covers the "Isolation, Classification and Identification of Microbes." This book will be suitable as a basic text for...

Microbes play an important role in our everyday lives. As agents of infectious disease, they cause untold human misery, yet their beneficial activities are manifold, ranging from the natural cycling of chemical elements to the production of food and pharmaceuticals. In this introductory text, the authors provide a clear and accessible account of the interactions among microbes, their environments, and other organisms, citing examples of both beneficial and detrimental activities. The book begins by considering positive activities, focusing on environmental microbiology and manufacturing, and...

Microbes play an important role in our everyday lives. As agents of infectious disease, they cause untold human misery, yet their beneficial activities are manifold, ranging from the natural cycling of chemical elements to the production of food and pharmaceuticals. In this introductory text, the authors provide a clear and accessible account of the interactions among microbes, their environments, and other organisms, citing examples of both beneficial and detrimental activities. The book begins by considering positive activities, focusing on environmental microbiology and manufacturing, and...