Essential Microbiology

Essential Microbiology 2nd Edition is a fully revised comprehensive introductory text aimed at students taking a first course in the subject. It provides an ideal entry into the world of microorganisms, considering all aspects of their biology (structure, metabolism, genetics), and illustrates the remarkable diversity of microbial life by devoting a chapter to each of the main taxonomic groupings. The second part of the book introduces the reader to aspects of applied microbiology, exploring the involvement of microorganisms in areas as diverse as food and drink production, genetic engineering, global recycling systems and infectious disease. Essential Microbiology explains the key points of each topic but avoids overburdening the student with unnecessary detail. Now in full colour it makes extensive use of clear line diagrams to clarify sometimes difficult concepts or mechanisms. A companion web site includes further material including MCQs, enabling the student to assess their understanding of the main concepts that have been covered. This edition has been fully revised and updated to reflect the developments that have occurred in recent years and includes a completely new section devoted to medical microbiology. Students of any life science degree course will find this a concise and valuable introduction to microbiology.

Essential Microbiology 2nd Edition is a fully revisedcomprehensive introductory text aimed at students taking a firstcourse in the subject. It provides an ideal entry into theworld of microorganisms, considering all aspects of their biology(structure, metabolism, genetics), and illustrates the remarkablediversity of microbial life by devoting a chapter to each of themain taxonomic groupings. The second part of the book introducesthe reader to aspects of applied microbiology, exploring theinvolvement of microorganisms in areas as diverse as food and drinkproduction, genetic engineering, global recycling systems andinfectious disease.Essential Microbiology explains the key points of each topic butavoids overburdening the student with unnecessary detail. Now infull colour it makes extensive use of clear line diagrams toclarify sometimes difficult concepts or mechanisms. A companion website includes further material including MCQs, enabling the studentto assess their understanding of the main concepts that have beencovered.This edition has been fully revised and updated to reflect thedevelopments that have occurred in recent years and includes acompletely new section devoted to medical microbiology.Students of any life science degree course will find this a conciseand valuable introduction to microbiology.

Preface to Second Edition viiPreface to First Edition ixAcknowledgements xiAbout the Companion Website xiiiI Introduction1 Microbiology: What, Why and How? 32 Biochemical Principles 193 Cell Structure and Organisation 53II Microbial Nutrition, Growth and Metabolism4 Microbial Nutrition and Cultivation 835 Microbial Growth 976 Microbial Metabolism 115III Microbial Diversity7 Prokaryote Diversity 1718 The Fungi 2039 The Protista 21710 Viruses 243IV Microbial Genetics11 Microbial Genetics 27112 Microorganisms in Genetic Engineering 319V Microorganisms in the Environment13 Microbial Associations 34514 Microorganisms in the Environment 357VI Medical Microbiology15 Human Microbial Diseases 37516 The Control of Microorganisms 40317 Antimicrobial Agents 419VII Microorganisms in Industry18 Industrial and Food Microbiology 449Glossary 467Further Reading 485Index 491