Microbes and society : an introduction to microbiology / I. Edward Alcamo.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Alcamo, I. Edward.

Contributor:

Clarence J. Marshall Memorial Library Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Microbiology.

Medical Subjects:

Microbiology.

Physical Description:

xvii, 443 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 29 cm

Place of Publication:

Sudbury, Mass. : Jones and Bartlett, [2003]

Summary:

Microbes and Society: An Introduction to Microbiology is designed for liberal arts students as a foundation course in life science. This timely text emphasizes the relevance of microbes and their role in the everyday lives of humans -- microbes in food production and agriculture, in biotechnology and industry, and in ecology and the environment. It also discusses some of the negative impacts of microbes on our world, such as their role in disease and bioterrorism, but the primary focus is on how microbes, in their incredible variety, are essential to human life. Microbes and Society presents the many ways in which we intentionally (and sometimes, unintentionally) utilize microbes to improve our lives and enhance our life experience.

Contents:

Part I The Microbial World

Chapter 1 The Microbial World: Surprising and Stunning 2

Chapter 2 Microbes in Perspective: Of Collectors and Classifiers 22

Chapter 3 Bacteria: The First Microbes 46

Chapter 4 Viruses: At the Threshold of Life 68

Chapter 5 Protists: A Microbial Grab Bag 90

Chapter 6 Fungi: Yeasts and Warm Fuzzies 112

Chapter 7 Growth and Metabolism: Running the Microbial Machine 134

Chapter 8 Microbial Genetics: New Genes for Germs 158

Chapter 9 Controlling Microbes: Not Too Hot to Handle 182

Part II Microbes and Human Affairs

Chapter 10 Microbes and Food: A Menu of Microbial Delights 206

Chapter 11 Food Preservation and Safety: The Competition 222

Chapter 12 The DNA Story: Germs, Genes, and Genomics 244

Chapter 13 Biotechnology and Industry: Microbes at Work 272

Chapter 14 Microbes and Agriculture: No Microbes, No Hamburgers 294

Chapter 15 Microbes and the Environment: No Microbes, No Life 316

Chapter 16 Disease and Resistance: The Wars Within 336

Chapter 17 Viral Diseases of Humans: AIDS to Zoster 364

Chapter 18 Bacterial Diseases of Humans: Slate Wipers and Current Concerns 390.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Clarence J. Marshall Memorial Library Fund.

ISBN:

0763714305

OCLC:

49959362