Microbiology For Dummies

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 particleMicrobiology 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 aliveYou 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.

Introduction 1Part 1: Getting Started With Microbiology 5Chapter 1: Microbiology and You 7Chapter 2: Microbiology: The Young Science 11Chapter 3: Microbes: They're Everywhere and They Can Do Everything 21Part 2: Balancing the Dynamics Of Microbial Life 29Chapter 4: Understanding Cell Structure and Function 31Chapter 5: Making Sense of Metabolism 49Chapter 6: Getting the Gist of Microbial Genetics 67Chapter 7: Measuring Microbial Growth 89Part 3: Sorting Out Microbial Diversity 103Chapter 8: Appreciating Microbial Ancestry 105Chapter 9: Harnessing Energy, Fixing Carbon 119Chapter 10: Comparing Respiration and Fermentation 139Chapter 11: Uncovering a Variety of Habitats 155Part 4: Meeting the Microbes 175Chapter 12: Meet the Prokaryotes 177Chapter 13: Say Hello to the Eukaryotes 195Chapter 14: Examining the Vastness of Viruses 215Part 5: Seeing the Impact Of Microbes 233Chapter 15: Understanding Microbes in Human Health and Disease 235Chapter 16: Putting Microbes to Work: Biotechnology 257Chapter 17: Fighting Microbial Diseases 279Part 6: New Frontiers in Microbiology 293Chapter 18: Teasing Apart Communities 295Chapter 19: Synthesizing Life 307Part 7: The Part of Tens 319Chapter 20: Ten (or So) Diseases Caused by Microbes 321Chapter 21: Ten Great Uses for Microbes 329Chapter 22: Ten Great Uses for Microbiology 335Index 343