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Klappentext We can't see them! but microbes are the dominant form of life on Earth. They make up half of the world's biomass. They were here billions of years before we were! and they will be here after we are gone. Without their activity! life as we know it would be impossible. Even within our own bodies! there are ten times as many bacterial cells as human cells. Understanding Microbes provides a clear! accessible introduction to this world of microbes.As well as looking at a selection of infectious diseases! including how they are prevented and treated! the book explores the importance of microbes in the environment! in the production and preservation of food! and their applications in biotechnology.This lively and engaging book provides the basics of microbiology! in a contemporary context. It will be equally useful for students across the biological! environmental and health sciences! and for the curious reader wanting to learn more about this fascinating subject.* A highly-readable! concise introduction to the basics of microbiology placed in the context of the very latest developments in molecular biology and their impact on the microbial world.* Numerous real-world examples range from how cows digest grass to the role of microbes in cancer and the impact of climate change* Well-illustrated in full colour throughout.* Written by an Author with a proven track record in teaching! writing and research. "The author does not sacrifice accuracy when clearly and concisely presenting the latest developments in molecular biology, food microbiology, microbial evolution, biotechnology, etc. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates and general readers." ( Choice , 1 August 2013) Zusammenfassung Provides an introduction to this world of microbes. As well as looking at a selection of infectious diseases, including how they are prevented and treated, this book explores the importance of microbes in the environment, in the production and preservation of food, and their applications in biotechnology. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface ix1 The Background 11.1 Meet the cast 11.2 Food for microbes 131.3 Basic molecular biology 152 Microbes and Health 192.1 Microbes in the body 192.2 Defences against infection 263 Microbial Infections 333.1 Diseases of the past 333.2 Diseases of the present 453.3 Opportunist infections 503.4 'New' diseases 523.5 Animal diseases 584 Prevention and Cure 634.1 Epidemics 634.2 Antibiotics 725 Microbes and Food - Friend and Foe 835.1 Food spoilage 835.2 Food preservation 865.3 Fermented foods 885.4 Food poisoning and food-borne diseases 916 Microbes and the Environment 976.1 Water 1006.2 Soil 1076.3 Plants 1086.4 Biodegradation 1126.5 Extreme environments 1167 Microbial Evolution - Genes and Genomes 1197.1 Evolution and inheritance 1197.2 Horizontal gene transfer 1227.3 Variation in gene expression 1287.4 Gene cloning and sequencing 1318 Microbial Development and Communication 1418.1 Cell division 1418.2 Motility 1458.3 Biofilms 1468.4 Quorum sensing 1508.5 Bacterial sporulation 1528.6 Multicellular behaviour 1538.7 Biological clocks 1569 Microbial Biotechnology - Practical Uses of Microbes 1599.1 Amino acids 1609.2 Biofuels 1619.3 Microbes and metals 1639.4 Oil spills 1669.5 Sewage and water treatment 1689.6 Antibiotics and other medical products 1709.7 Vaccines 1729.8 Proteins 17710 Controversies and Speculations 18110.1 Evolution and the origins of life 18110.2 Is there life elsewhere in the universe? 18610.3 Creating new life 18710.4 Is it safe? Assessment of risk! risk versus benefit 18710.5 Superbugs and killer viruses 19210.6 Microbes and climate change 19310.7 Microbes and non-infectious diseases 19510.8 Epilogue 200Appendix 1: Explanations 201A1.1 Monomers and polymers 201A1.1.1 Sugars and polysaccharid...
