Book description
A comprehensive, reader-friendly introduction to the world of bacteria
When most people hear the word "bacteria" they think of
food poisoning; infections; and acute, debilitating, or fatal
diseases. Yet, while E. coli, strep, and other bacterial
pathogens certainly cause their share of misery in the world, they are
only a tiny portion of a vast universe of microorganisms-the most
basic of life forms. Without them, nothing else could live or grow on
Planet Earth. Bacteria: The Benign, the Bad, and the Beautiful
introduces you to this diverse, microscopic world and explains the
fundamental microbiological concepts you need to explore the life and
behavior of bacteria. Even if you have no previous background in the
subject, the book's clear, jargon-free language tells you what you
need to know about:
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The origins and evolution of bacteria
-
Some of the fundamental ways in which bacteria have shaped the world
-
Bacteria commonly found in the healthy human body
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Antibiotics and the growing problem of resistance
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Marine microbiology, bacterial toxins, and enzymes
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Bacterial genetics and genomics
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Bacteria that survive in extreme environments, such as boiling water
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And much more
This comprehensive guide features custom-drawn, black-and-white
illustrations by artist Karoly Farkas, and it illuminates its points
through real-world examples and engaging stories. Discrete,
topic-by-topic structure, text-box summaries of background science,
and a helpful glossary make for quick and easy reference. Whether you
are a science professional in need of information on bacteria outside
of your specialty, a student in search of a solid introduction, or a
curious reader looking for fascinating and reliable information,
Bacteria: The Benign, the Bad, and the Beautiful is the
resource you need.
Dr. Trudy Wassenaar, PhD
, is director of Molecular Microbiology and Genomics Consultants, and
author and curator of the popular Virtual Museum of Bacteria
(www. bacteriamuseum. org
). She is also an Associate Professor of comparative bacterial genomics
at the Centre of Biological Sequences at the Danish Technical University
in Lyngby, Denmark, and the author of numerous contributed book chapters
as well as nearly 80 publications in peer-review journals, including
Applied Environmental Microbiology
, the Journal of Medical Microbiology
and Infection and Immunity
.
