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Microbiology For Dummies
Microbiology For Dummies 1st Edition:
Microbiology For Dummies (9781119544425) was previously published as Microbiology For Dummies (9781118871188). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.
Microbiology is the study of life itself, down to the smallest particle
Microbiology is a fascinating field that explores life down to the tiniest level. Did you know that your body contains more bacteria cells than human cells? It’s true. Microbes are essential to our everyday lives, from the food we eat to the very internal systems that keep us alive. These microbes include bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, and nematodes. Without microbes, life on Earth would not survive. It’s amazing to think that all life is so dependent on these microscopic creatures, but their impact on our future is even more astonishing. Microbes are the tools that allow us to engineer hardier crops, create better medicines, and fuel our technology in sustainable ways. Microbes may just help us save the world.
Microbiology For Dummies is your guide to understanding the fundamentals of this enormously-encompassing field. Whether your career plans include microbiology or another science or health specialty, you need to understand life at the cellular level before you can understand anything on the macro scale.
- Explore the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- Understand the basics of cell function and metabolism
- Discover the differences between pathogenic and symbiotic relationships
- Study the mechanisms that keep different organisms active and aliveÂ
You need to know how cells work, how they get nutrients, and how they die. You need to know the effects different microbes have on different systems, and how certain microbes are integral to ecosystem health. Microbes are literally the foundation of all life, and they are everywhere. Microbiology For Dummies will help you understand them, appreciate them, and use them.
Additional ISBNs:
∗ eText ISBN: 1119544769, 978-1119544760, 9781119544760
- See additional information on the Amazon.
More Details
Cover
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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