Microbe, a brand new, general microbiology textbook intended for upper-division undergraduate courses, is an
exciting introduction to the world of microbes. With a distinct ecological and evolutionary orientation, Microbe
invites readers to partake of the most current advances in the field. Written by prominent scientists with practical
teaching, textbook writing, and research experience, this new textbook will engage students in the learning process
with its clear, reader-friendly style and unique perspective of the field.
Microbe is paradigm-driven rather than fact-driven. Key concepts are illustrated by inspiring examples that convey
the excitement of the field. This is not a compendium of facts, but rather a textbook in the older, traditional
sense: a book that can be used for studying rather than for looking up factual information.
The book is divided into seven sections covering the most pertinent information related to the study of microbes,
including microbial activity; structure and function; growth, inheritance, physiology, and diversity; and biological
interactions. Each chapter concludes with though-provoking study questions, for which answers are listed in the
back of the book.
Table of Contents
Section I. Microbial Activity
1. The World of Microbes
Section II. Structure and Function
2. Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Function: Enveloples and Appendages
3. Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Function: the Cell Interior
Section III. Growth
4. Growth of Microbial Populations
5. Making a Cell
6. Fueling
7. Biosynthesis
8. Building Macromolecules
9. The Cell Division Cycle
Section IV. Inheritance
10. Genetics
11. Evolution
Section V. Physiology
12. Coordination and Regulation
13. Succeeding in the Environment
14. Differentiation and Development
18. Ecology
19. Symbiosis, Predation, and Antibiosis
20. Pathogenesis: the Vertebrate Host
21. Infection: the Microbe
22. Microbes and Human History
23. Putting Microbes to Work
