Living in a Microbial World

As with the first edition, this new edition of Living in a Microbial World is written for students taking a general microbiology course, or a microbiology-based course for non-science majors. The conversational style and use of practical, everyday examples make the essential concepts of microbiology accessible to a wide audience. While using this approach, the text maintains scientific rigor with clear explanations spanning the breadth of microbiology, including health, evolution, ecology, food production, biotechnology, and industrial processes.

Each chapter contains a series of case studies based on microbiology in the news, in history, and in literature. There are questions at the end of each case study and the end of each chapter, as well as an online quiz with help on answering the questions. The text, questions, and cases have been updated to reflect the changing influence of microbiology in the world today, from the microbiome, to new disease outbreaks (Ebola and Zika) and antibiotic resistance, to new biotechnology tools (CRISPR-Cas).

Living in a Microbial World, Second Edition is additionally supported by the Garland Science Learning System. This homework platform is designed to evaluate and improve student performance and allows instructors to select assignments on specific topics and review the performance of the entire class, as well as individual students, via the instructor dashboard. Students receive immediate feedback on their mastery of the topics, and will be better prepared for lectures and classroom discussions. The user-friendly system provides a convenient way to engage students while assessing progress. Performance data can be used to tailor classroom discussion, activities, and lectures to address students’ needs precisely and efficiently. For more information and sample material, visit http://garlandscience.rocketmix.com/.

Living in a Microbial World, Second Edition comes with a full range of supplements:

    The Garland Science Learning System
    Images available in PowerPoint and JPEG
    Testbank
    Online quiz with answers and feedback
    Extra modules
    Help answering the end-of-chapter questions
    Animations
    Media guide
    Online glossary

CONTENTS

1. Living in a Microbial World
2. The Chemistry of Life
3. The Cell: Where Life Begins
4. A Field Guide to the Microorganisms
5. Life’s Grey Zone: Viruses and Prions
6. The Microbiology of History and the History of Microbiology
7. Microbial Genetics
8. Metabolism and Growth
9. Microbial Evolution: The Origin and Diversity of Life
10. A Microbiologist’s Guide to Ecology
11. The Nature of the Disease: A Pathogen’s Perspective
12. The Nature of Disease (part 2): Host Defense
13. Control of Microbial Growth
14. Epidemiology: Who, What, When, Where, and Why?
15. The Future Is Here: Microorganisms and Biotechnology
16. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner: Microorganisms and Food
17. Better Living with Microorganisms: Industrial and Applied Microbiology