Microbiology For Dummies

Learn to: Grasp the basics of cell function Identify one-celled organisms, their genetics, and their interactions Discover the integral part microbes play in the ecosystem Make sense of the study of life-down to the tiniest organism Does microbiology make your head spin? You're not alone. Luckily, this down-to-earth guide makes the study of this enormously encompassing subject accessible and fun. In no time, you'll grasp life at the cellular level and transfer your knowledge of this minuscule topic to score big at exam time! It's a small world - uncover the imperceptibly small-without losing sight of the big picture-with a plain-English intro to the fascinating subject of microbiology Meet the microorganisms - get to know the main types of microorganisms and the set of tools used to study them More than a bad rap - find out why microorganisms play a surprisingly vital role in the health of an ecosystem Behind microbial bars - step into the microbial cell and understand how they obtain energy and convert carbon into cellular material Fight the good fight - discover how to identify a microbial pathogen, find a list of diseases caused by microorganisms, and get the latest information on vaccines Open the book and find: Easy-to-follow explanations of microbial life What you need to know about photosynthesis Plain-English explanations of the process of chemolithotrophy The scoop on comparing respiration and fermentation Tips on taking the mystery out of words ending in -omics Creative ways to look at microbial communities