Microbiology helps to develop a meaningful connection with the material through the incorporation of primary literature, applications and examples. The text offers an ideal balance between comprehensive, in-depth coverage of core concepts, while employing a narrative style that incorporates many relevant applications and a unique focus on current research and experimentation. The book frames information around the three pillars of physiology, ecology and genetics, which highlights their interconnectedness and helps students see a bigger picture. This innovative organization establishes a firm foundation for later work and provides a perspective on real-world applications of microbiology.

Table of Contents:
PART 1 THE MICROBES 1 The Microbial World 2 1.1 The Microbes 4 1.2 Microbial Genetics 16 1.3 Microbial Metabolism and Ecology 24 1.4 Microbes and Disease 27 2 Bacteria 36 2.1 Morphology of Bacterial Cells 38 2.2 The Cytoplasm 41 2.3 The Bacterial Cytoskeleton 44 2.4 The Cell Envelope 45 2.5 The Bacterial Cell Surface 62 2.6 Bacterial Taxonomy 68 3 Eukaryal Microbes 72 3.1 The Morphology of Typical Eukaryal Cells 74 3.2 Diversity of Eukaryal Microbes 87 3.3 Replication of Eukaryal Microbes 92 3.4 The Origin of Eukaryal Cells 95 3.5 Interactions Between Eukaryal Microbes and Animals, Plants, and the Environment 100 4 Archaea 106 4.1 Distinct Properites of Archaea 108 4.2 Archaeal Cell Structure 110 4.3 Diversity of Archaea 119 5 Viruses 130 5.1 A Basic Overview of Viruses 132 5.2 Origins of Viruses 140 5.3 Cultivation, Purification, and Quantification of Viruses 142 5.4 Diversity of Viruses 149 5.5 Virus-Like Particles 155 5.6 Virology Today 157 6 Cultivating Microorganisms 164 6.1 Nutritional Requirements of Microorganisms 166 6.2 Factors Affecting Microbial Growth 168 6.3 Growing Microorganisms in the Laboratory 173 6.4 Measuring Microbial Population Growth 184 6.5 Eliminating Microbes and Preventing Their Growth 192 PART II MICROBIAL GENETICS 7 DNA Replication and Gene Expression 202 7.1 The Role of DNA 204 7.2 DNA Replication 210 7.3 Transcription 216 7.4 Translation 233 7.5 The Effects of Mutations 229 8 Viral Replication Strategies 238 8.1 Recognition of Host Cells 240 8.2 Viral Entry and Uncoating 244 8.3 Viral Replication 248 8.4 Viral Assembly and Egress 256 8.5 Antiviral Drugs 258 9 Bacterial Genetic Analysis 266 9.1 Bacteria as Subjects of Genetic Research 268 9.2 Mutations, Mutants, and Strains 271 9.3 Restriction Enzymes, Vectors, and Cloning 278 9.4 Recombination and DNA Transfer 285 10 Microbial Genomics 302 10.1 Genome Sequencing 304 10.2 Genomic Analysis of Gene Expression 312 10.3 Comparative Genomics 318 10.4 Metagenomics 323 11 Regulation of Gene Expression 328 11.1 Differential Gene Expression 330 11.2 The Operon 332 11.3 Global Gene Regulation 337 11.4 Post-Initiation of Gene Expression 346 11.5 Quorum Sensing 350 11.6 Two-Component Regulatory Systems 352 11.7 Chemotaxis 355 12 Microbial Biotechnology 362 12.1 Microbes for Biotechnology 365 12.2 Molecular Genetic Modification 368 12.3 Red Biotechnology 381 12.4 White Biotechnology 382 12.5 Green Biotechnology 391 PART III MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 13 Metabolism 400 13.1 Energy, Enzymes, and ATP 402 13.2 Central Processes in ATP Synthesis 406 13.3 Carbon Utilization in Microorganisms 412 13.4 Respiration and the Electron Transport System 422 13.5 Metabolism of Non-Glucose Carbon Sources 429 13.6 Phototrophy and Photosynthesis 433 13.7 Nitrogen and Sulfur Metabolism 443 13.8 Biosynthesis of Cellular Components 447 14 Biogeochemical Cycles 456 14.1 Nutrient Cycling 459 14.2 Cycling Driven by Carbon Metabolism 463 14.3 Cycling Driven by Nitrogen Metabolism 472 14.4 The Interconnectedness of Cycles 478 15 Microbial Ecosystems 484 15.1 Microbes in the Environment 486 15.2 Microbial Community Structure 490 15.3 Aquatic Ecosystems 498 15.4 Terrestrial Ecosystems 406 15.5 Deep Subsurface and Geothermal Ecosystems 512 16 The Microbiology of Food and Water 522 16.1 Food Spoilage 524 16.2 Food Preservation 528 16.3 Food Fermentation 534 16.4 Foodborne and Waterborne Illness 541 16.5 Microbiological Aspects of Water Quality 543 17 Microbial Symbionts 560 17.1 Types of Microbe–Host Interactions 563 17.2 Symbionts of Plants 564 17.3 Lichens 569 17.4 Symbionts of Vertebrates 571 17.5 Symbionts of Invertebrates 587 PART IV MICROBES AND DISEASE 18 Introduction to Infectious Diseases 600 18.1 Pathogenic Microbes 603 18.2 Virulence Strategies 608 18.3 The Transmission of Infectious Diseases 613 18.4 Proving Cause and Effect in Microbial Infections 621 18.5 The Evolution of Pathogens 625 19 Innate Host Defenses Against Microbial Invasion 636 19.1 Immunity 638 19.2 Barriers to Infection 639 19.3 The Inflammatory Response 643 19.4 The Molecules of Innate Immunity 644 19.5 The Cells of Innate Immunity 653 19.6 Invertebrate Defenses 663 20 Adaptive Immunity 672 20.1 Features of Adaptive Immunity 674 20.2 T Cells 677 20.3 Antigen Processing 681 20.4 Antigen-Presenting Cells 686 20.5 Humoral and Cell-Mediated 20.6 B Cells and the Production of Antibody 694 21.2 Survival in the Host: Strategies and Consequences 743 Toolbox 21.2 THE TUBERCULIN TEST FOR TUBERCULOSIS 750 21.3 Evolution of Bacterial Pathogens 751 22 Viral Pathogenesis 760 22.1 Recurring Themes in Viral Pathogenesis 762 22.2 Interactions with the Host: Strategies and Consequences 770 22.3 Viral Infections and Cancer 775 22.4 Evolution of Viral Pathogens 785 23 Eukaryal Microbe Pathogenesis 792 23.1 Mechanisms of Eukaryal Microbe Pathogenesis 794 23.2 Pathogen Study: 23.3 Macroscopic Eukaryal Pathogens 814 23.4 Evolution of Eukaryal Pathogens 816 24 Control of Infectious Diseases 822 24.1 Historical Aspects of Infectious Disease Treatment and Control 824 24.2 Antimicrobial Drugs 825 24.3 Antimicrobial Drug Resistance 836 24.4 Predicting and Controlling Epidemics 850 24.5 Immunization and Vaccines 853 Appendix A Reading and Understanding the Primary Literature A-1 Appendix B Microscopy A-9 Appendix C Classification of Bacteria A-13 Appendix D Classification of Eukarya A-14 Appendix E Classification of Archaea A-15 Appendix F Classification of Viruses A-16 Appendix G Origin of Blood Cells A-17 GLOSSARY G-1 INDEX I-1