Understanding Microbes An Introduction to a Small World

We can’t see them, but microbes are the dominant form of life on Earth. They make up half of the world’s biomass. They were here billions of years before we were, and they will be here after we are gone. Without their activity, life as we know it would be impossible. Even within our own bodies, there are ten times as many bacterial cells as human cells. Understanding Microbes provides a clear, accessible introduction to this world of microbes.

As well as looking at a selection of infectious diseases, including how they are prevented and treated, the book explores the importance of microbes in the environment, in the production and preservation of food, and their applications in biotechnology.

This lively and engaging book provides the basics of microbiology, in a contemporary context. It will be equally useful for students across the biological, environmental and health sciences, and for the curious reader wanting to learn more about this fascinating subject.

• A highly-readable, concise introduction to the basics of microbiology placed in the context of the very latest developments in molecular biology and their impact on the microbial world.
• Numerous real-world examples range from how cows digest grass to the role of microbes in cancer and the impact of climate change
• Well-illustrated in full colour throughout.
• Written by an Author with a proven track record in teaching, writing and research.

Jeremy W. Dale, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.

1 The Background 1

1.1 Meet the cast 1

1.2 Food for microbes 13

1.3 Basic molecular biology 15

2 Microbes and Health 19

2.1 Microbes in the body 19

2.2 Defences against infection 26

3 Microbial Infections 33

3.1 Diseases of the past 33

3.2 Diseases of the present 45

3.3 Opportunist infections 50

3.4 ‘New’ diseases 52

3.5 Animal diseases 58

4 Prevention and Cure 63

4.1 Epidemics 63

4.2 Antibiotics 72

5 Microbes and Food – Friend and Foe 83

5.1 Food spoilage 83

5.2 Food preservation 86

5.3 Fermented foods 88

5.4 Food poisoning and food-borne diseases 91

6 Microbes and the Environment 97

6.1 Water 100

6.2 Soil 107

6.3 Plants 108

6.4 Biodegradation 112

6.5 Extreme environments 116

7 Microbial Evolution – Genes and Genomes 119

7.1 Evolution and inheritance 119

7.2 Horizontal gene transfer 122

7.3 Variation in gene expression 128

7.4 Gene cloning and sequencing 131

8 Microbial Development and Communication 141

8.1 Cell division 141

8.2 Motility 145

8.3 Biofilms 146

8.4 Quorum sensing 150

8.5 Bacterial sporulation 152

8.6 Multicellular behaviour 153

8.7 Biological clocks 156

9 Microbial Biotechnology – Practical Uses of Microbes 159

9.1 Amino acids 160

9.2 Biofuels 161

9.3 Microbes and metals 163

9.4 Oil spills 166

9.5 Sewage and water treatment 168

9.6 Antibiotics and other medical products 170

9.7 Vaccines 172

9.8 Proteins 177

10 Controversies and Speculations 181

10.1 Evolution and the origins of life 181

10.2 Is there life elsewhere in the universe? 186

10.3 Creating new life 187

10.4 Is it safe? Assessment of risk, risk versus benefit 187

10.5 Superbugs and killer viruses 192

10.6 Microbes and climate change 193

10.7 Microbes and non-infectious diseases 195

10.8 Epilogue 200

Appendix 1: Explanations 201

A1.1 Monomers and polymers 201

A1.1.1 Sugars and polysaccharides 201

A1.1.2 Amino acids and proteins 202

A1.1.3 Nucleic acids 204

A1.1.4 Fats and lipids 205

A1.2 Enzymes and catalysis 206

A1.2.1 Oxidation and reduction, respiration and photosynthesis 206

A1.2.2 Hydrolysis 208

A1.2.3 Polymerization 208

Appendix 2: Abbreviations and Terminology 211

A2.1 Abbreviations and jargon 211

A2.2 Numbers 213

A2.3 Units 214

Appendix 3: Further Reading 215

Subject Index 217

Index of Names 229

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