About this Book

The beginnings of microbiology. The methods of microbiology. The nature of the microbial world. The protists. The procaryotes: an introductory survey. Microbial metabolism: the generation of ATP. Microbial metabolism: biosynthesis. Regulation. Microbial growth. The effect of environment on microbial growth. The relations between structure and function in procaryotic cells. The viruses. Mutation and gene-function at the molecular level. The expression of mutation in viruses, cells, and cell populations. Genetic recombination. The classification of bacteria. The photosynthetic procaryotes. Gram-negative bacteria: the chemoautotrophs and methylotrophs. Gram-negative bacteria: aerobic chemoheterotrophs. The enteric group and related organism. Gram-negative bacteria: myxobacteria and other gliding organisms. Gram-positive bacteria: unicellular endosporeformers. Gram-positive bacteria: the actinomycente line. Nonspore-forming strict anaerobes. Microorganisms as geochemical agents. Symbiosis. Symbiotic associations between photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic partners. Symbiotic associations between two nonphotosynthetic partners. Microbial pathogenicity. Microbial diseases of man. The exploitation of microorganisms by man.