Microbiology for Dummies by Stearns, Jennifer C. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Table of Contents Introduction

About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Getting Started with Microbiology

Chapter 1: Microbiology and You

Why Microbiology? Introducing the Microorganisms Deconstructing Microbiology

Chapter 2: Microbiology: The Young Science

Before Microbiology: Misconceptions and Superstitions Discovering Microorganisms The Future of Microbiology

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

Habitat Diversity Metabolic Diversity The Intersection of Microbes and Everyone Else

Part 2: Balancing the Dynamics of Microbial Life

Chapter 4: Understanding Cell Structure and Function

Seeing the Shapes of Cells Life on a Minute Scale: Considering the Size of Prokaryotes The Cell: An Overview Scaling the Outer Membrane and Cell Walls Other Important Cell Structures Divining Cell Division Tackling Transport Systems Getting Around with Locomotion

Chapter 5: Making Sense of Metabolism

Converting with Enzymes In Charge of Energy: Oxidation and Reduction Breaking Down Catabolism Stacking Up with Anabolism

Chapter 6: Getting the Gist of Microbial Genetics

Organizing Genetic Material Assembling the Cellular Machinery Making the Right Amount: Regulation Changing the Genetic Code

Chapter 7: Measuring Microbial Growth

Getting Growth Requirements Right Observing Microbes Calculating Cell Division and Population Growth Inhibiting Microbial Growth

Part 3: Sorting Out Microbial Diversity

Chapter 8: Appreciating Microbial Ancestry

Where Did Microbes Come From? Understanding Evolution Studying Evolution Classifying and Naming Microbes Climbing the Tree of Life

Chapter 9: Harnessing Energy, Fixing Carbon

Forging Ahead with Autotrophic Processes Using the Energy in Light Getting Energy from the Elements: Chemolithotrophy

Chapter 10: Comparing Respiration and Fermentation

Lifestyles of the Rich and Facultative Seeing the Big Picture Digging into Respiration Figuring Out Fermentation

Chapter 11: Uncovering a Variety of Habitats

Defining a Habitat Understanding Nutrient Cycles Microbes Socializing in Communities Discovering Microbes in Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats Getting Along with Plants and Animals Tolerating Extreme Locations Detecting Microbes in Unexpected Places

Part 4: Meeting the Microbes

Chapter 12: Meet the Prokaryotes

Getting to Know the Bacteria Acquainting Yourself with the Archaea

Chapter 13: Say Hello to the Eukaryotes

Fun with Fungi Perusing the Protists

Chapter 14: Examining the Vastness of Viruses

Hijacking Cells Making Heads or Tails of Bacteriophage Discussing Viruses of Eukaryotes How Host Cells Fight Back

Part 5: Seeing the Impact of Microbes

Chapter 15: Understanding Microbes in Human Health and Disease

Clarifying the Host Immune Response Relying on Antimicrobials for Treating Disease Searching Out Superbugs Knowing the Benefits of Prebiotics and Probiotics Attacking Viruses with Antiviral Drugs

Chapter 16: Putting Microbes to Work: Biotechnology

Using Recombinant DNA Technology Providing Therapies Using Microbes Industrially

Chapter 17: Fighting Microbial Diseases

Protecting Public Health: Epidemiology Identifying a Microbial Pathogen Understanding Vaccines

Part 6: New Frontiers in Microbiology

Chapter 18: Teasing Apart Communities

Studying Microbial Communities Observing Communities: Microbial Ecology Methods Getting the Hang of Microbial Genetics and Systematics Looking for Microbial Dark Matter

Chapter 19: Synthesizing Life

Regulating Genes: The lac Operon Designing Genetic Networks The Synthetic Biologist’s Toolbox

Part 7: The Part of Tens

Chapter 20: Ten (or So) Diseases Caused by Microbes

Ebola Anthrax Influenza Tuberculosis HIV Cholera Smallpox Primary Amoebic Menigoencephalitis The Unknown

Chapter 21: Ten Great Uses for Microbes

Making Delicious Foods Growing Legumes Brewing Beer, Liquor, and Wine Killing Insect Pests Treating Sewage Contributing to Medicine Setting Up Your Aquarium Making and Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastics Turning Over Compostable Waste Maintaining a Balance

Chapter 22: Ten Great Uses for Microbiology

Medical Care: Keeping People Healthy Dental Care: Keeping Those Pearly Whites Shining Bright Veterinary Care: Helping Fido and Fluffy to Feel Their Best Monitoring the Environment Making Plants Happy Keeping Fish Swimming Strong Producing Food, Wine, and Beer Science Hacking Looking for Microbes in Clean Rooms Producing Pharmaceuticals

Index About the Authors Advertisement Page Connect with Dummies End User License Agreement

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