Designed as an upper-level textbook and a reference for researchers, this important book concentrates on central
concepts of the bacterial lifestyle. Taking a refreshingly new approach, it present an integrated view of the prokaryotic
cell as an organism and as a member of an interacting population. Beginning with a description of cellular structures,
the text proceeds through metabolic pathways and metabolic reactions to the genes and regulatory mechanisms. At
a higher level of complexity, a discussion of cell differentiation processes is followed by a description of the
diversity of prokaryotes and their role in the biosphere. A closing section deals with man and microbes, i.e. applied
microbiology.
Read it!
This is the first book to adopt an integrated view of the prokaryotic cell as an organism and as a member of a
population. It is the most comprehensive and current presentation of prokaryotic biology yet published.
Adopts a physiological and functional approach to the prokaryotes in which the diversity of their world is detailed
in increasing complexity - it proceeds from the description of cellular structure through metabolic pathways and
metabolic reactions to the genes and regulatory mechanisms.
New developments and promising areas in the field have been anticipated and pointed out in a special section on
man and microbes.
Essential definitions are given and conclusions are highlighted in shaded areas - an easy reference for students
and professor. Corresponding pages are listed in the index and the terms are compiled into a glossary at the end
of the book.
Extensive linking between related topics allows easy navigation through the book.
Features historical/key experiments; basic and new methods; and �specialist' boxes - detail additional and �real'
practical information for students to refer to.
Very generously illustrated in two colors.
Table of Contents
Section I:
The Prokaryotic Cell (F Mayer)
Cellular and Subcellular Organization of Prokaryotes (F Mayer)
Section II:
Basic Prerequisites for Cellular Live (A Kroger, G Fuchs)
Substrate-Level Phosphorylation (A Kroger)
Electron-Transport-Coupled Phosphorylation (A Kroger)
Multiple Roles of Prokaryotic Cell Membranes (R Kramer)
Growth and Nutrition (G Fuchs, A Kroger)
Biosynthesis of Building Blocks (G Fuchs)
Section III:
Diversity of Metabolic Pathways (G Fuchs)
Assimilation of Macroelements and Microelements (G Fuchs)
Oxidation of Organic Compounds (G Fuchs)
Oxidation of Inorganic Compounds by Chemolithotrophs (G Kuenen)
Aerobic Respiration and Regulation of Aerobic/Anaerobic Metabolism (G Unden)
Anaerobic Energy Metabolism (W Buckel)
Utilization of Light by Prokaryotes (G Drews)
Section IV:
The Genetics of the Prokaryotes and Their Viruses (B Friedrich, J W Lengeler)
DNA, Chromosomes, and Plasmids (W Messer)
The Genetic Information (W Hillen)
Genetic Exchange Between Microorganisms (E Lanka, W Pansegrau)
Recombinant DNA Technology (R Knippers, C-A Alpert)
Section V:
Gene Expression and Regulatory Mechanisms (J W Lengeler)
Regulation of Gene Expression: Operons and Regulons (S Adhya)
Posttranslational Control and Modifications of Proteins (G R Jacobson)
Global Regulatory Networks and Signal Transduction Pathways (J W Lengeler, P W Postma)
Regulation of Fermentation and Respiration (E C C Lin)
Section VI:
Cell Growth and Differentiation (G Drews, J W Lengeler)
The Bacterial Cell Cycle (K Nordstrom)
Assembly of Cellular Surface Structures (K Jann, B Jann)
Processes of Cellular Differentiation (G Drews)
Sporulation and Cell Differentiation (M A Marahiel, P Zuber)
Bacteriophages as Models for Differentiation (B Kemper)
Secondary Metabolism in Bacteria: Antibiotic Pathways, Regulation and Function (G Lancini, A L Demain)
Adaptation to Extreme Environments (I R Booth)
Section VII:
Diversity and Systematics (E Stackebrandt)
Prokaryotic Diversity and Systematics (E Stackebrandt, B Tindall, W Ludwig, M Goodfellow)
Section VIII:
Prokaryotes in the Biosphere (B Schink)
Ecophysiology and Ecological Niches of Prokaryotes (B Schink)
Habitats of Prokaryotes (B Schink)
Global Biogeochemical Cycles (B Schink)
Section IX:
Applied Microbiology (A Puhler)
Prokaryotes in Medicine (J Hacker)
Prokaryotes in Agriculture (F O'Gara, U B Priefer, D N Dowling, M P Nuti)
Prokaryotes in Industrial Production (H Sahm)
Prokaryotes in Environmental Processes (B Schink)
Prokaryotes and Man: Chances, Promises and Risks (A Puhler)
