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Overview
Microbial physiology is the study of the structure, function, energy metabolism, growth, and regulatory mechanisms of microorganisms. The physiology of microorganisms can be used as a model for the metabolic processes common to all living things. Microbial Physiology emphasizes the incredible diversity exhibited by microorganisms in disparate environments, and reveals how genomic approaches can now be used to integrate knowledge of the genetics and molecular biology of an organism with its physiology and metabolism. The Fourth Edition presents genetic and biochemical aspects of how the microbial cell operates, thereby providing a comprehensive reference for anyone wishing to understand the mechanisms underlying cell survival and growth. In addition to these features, this timely volume also:- Retains the logical, easy-to-follow organization of the previous editions: introduction to cell structure and synthesis of cell components, followed by detailed discussions of genetics, metabolism, growth, and regulation
- Approaches the subject from a modern molecular genetic perspective
- Includes many new and extensively reillustrated figures
- Reflects new insights gained from genome projects and features a new chapter on genomics and proteomics
- Includes an entirely new chapter on host-parasite interactions, covering the molecular and genetic factors involved in microbial pathogenesis
- Presents a thorough revision of sections on amino acids and cell division
- Places greater emphasis throughout the text on bacterial responses to environmental stress and features a new chapter devoted to microbial stress responses
- Offers new treatments of chaperones, protein folding, programmed cell death, alternative sigma factors, anti-sigma factors, synthesis of cell walls and membranes, mitochondrial evolution, nitrogen fixation, extremophiles, stationary phase regulation, and integrons
- Provides extensive updates on all aspects of microbial physiology such as DNA replication, transcription, translation, genetic exchange mechanisms, DNA repair, protein secretion, gene regulation, plasmid addiction, quorum sensing, chemotaxis, protein processing, energy metabolism, bacteriophage, and many others
Professional microbiologists, researchers employed in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in microbiology will find the Fourth Edition of Microbial Physiology a valuable addition to their libraries.
Author Comments: This newly revised textbook begins with an overview of microbial physiology followed by detailed chapters covering microbial genetics, metabolism, cell structure, differentiation and pathogenesis. Genomic approaches are covered in a new chapter and used to illustrate new concepts throughout the text.
The book contains black-and-white illustrations.
Synopsis
Microbial physiology is the study of the structure, function, energy metabolism, growth, and regulatory mechanisms of microorganisms. The physiology of microorganisms can be used as a model for the metabolic processes common to all living things. Microbial Physiology emphasizes the incredible diversity exhibited by microorganisms in disparate environments, and reveals how genomic approaches can now be used to integrate knowledge of the genetics and molecular biology of an organism with its physiology and metabolism. The Fourth Edition presents genetic and biochemical aspects of how the microbial cell operates, thereby providing a comprehensive reference for anyone wishing to understand the mechanisms underlying cell survival and growth. In addition to these features, this timely volume also:
* Retains the logical, easy-to-follow organization of the previous editions: introduction to cell structure and synthesis of cell components, followed by detailed discussions of genetics, metabolism, growth, and regulation
* Approaches the subject from a modern molecular genetic perspective
* Includes many new and extensively reillustrated figures
* Reflects new insights gained from genome projects and features a new chapter on genomics and proteomics
* Includes an entirely new chapter on host-parasite interactions, covering the molecular and genetic factors involved in microbial pathogenesis
* Presents a thorough revision of sections on amino acids and cell division
* Places greater emphasis throughout the text on bacterial responses to environmental stress and features a new chapter devoted to microbial stress responses
* Offers new treatments of chaperones, protein folding, programmed cell death, alternative sigma factors, anti-sigma factors, synthesis of cell walls and membranes, mitochondrial evolution, nitrogen fixation, extremophiles, stationary phase regulation, and integrons
* Provides extensive updates on all aspects of microbial physiology such as DNA replication, transcription, translation, genetic exchange mechanisms, DNA repair, protein secretion, gene regulation, plasmid addiction, quorum sensing, chemotaxis, protein processing, energy metabolism, bacteriophage, and many others
Professional microbiologists, researchers employed in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in microbiology will find the Fourth Edition of Microbial Physiology a valuable addition to their libraries.
K. Dale Noel
This is a new edition of a standard text in microbial physiology, completely revised from the second edition, which was published in 1988. The expressed purpose of the authors is to describe the physiology of Escherichia coli, the best-understood bacterium, and to integrate its physiology with the detailed understanding of the genetics of this organism at the molecular level. The virtue of this plan is that it gives a very coherent and thorough treatment of this model organism within the limited confines of a 500-page textbook. The book could have been titled Bacterial Physiology, because eukaryotic microbes are scarcely mentioned, and even in covering bacterial physiology, it does not attempt to capture the immense diversity of behavior and metabolism that occurs across the full spectrum of bacterial phylogeny. Nevertheless, the physiologies of other bacteria are not completely neglected; many are mentioned briefly as counter examples to E. coli or examined more extensively when the authors have chosen to present processes that do not occur in E. coli or are much better understood in another organism. The book is aimed at graduate students and practitioners of this field. Although the reproduction of photos is mediocre, the black-and-white diagrams, tables, and illustrations are first rate; they greatly enhance the text. The copious references are up-to-date, sometimes relying on reviews, but in many areas peppered with the latest pertinent research articles as of 1994. This book succeeds very well with the aims it sets of providing a detailed understanding of how one microbe lives (at least in laboratory media) and of certain, selectedprocesses that occur only in other organisms. It succeeds both as a readable text that truly clarifies many complex topics and as a good reference source for these topics.
Editorials
K. Dale Noel
This is a new edition of a standard text in microbial physiology, completely revised from the second edition, which was published in 1988. The expressed purpose of the authors is to describe the physiology of Escherichia coli, the best-understood bacterium, and to integrate its physiology with the detailed understanding of the genetics of this organism at the molecular level. The virtue of this plan is that it gives a very coherent and thorough treatment of this model organism within the limited confines of a 500-page textbook. The book could have been titled Bacterial Physiology, because eukaryotic microbes are scarcely mentioned, and even in covering bacterial physiology, it does not attempt to capture the immense diversity of behavior and metabolism that occurs across the full spectrum of bacterial phylogeny. Nevertheless, the physiologies of other bacteria are not completely neglected; many are mentioned briefly as counter examples to E. coli or examined more extensively when the authors have chosen to present processes that do not occur in E. coli or are much better understood in another organism. The book is aimed at graduate students and practitioners of this field. Although the reproduction of photos is mediocre, the black-and-white diagrams, tables, and illustrations are first rate; they greatly enhance the text. The copious references are up-to-date, sometimes relying on reviews, but in many areas peppered with the latest pertinent research articles as of 1994. This book succeeds very well with the aims it sets of providing a detailed understanding of how one microbe lives (at least in laboratory media) and of certain, selectedprocesses that occur only in other organisms. It succeeds both as a readable text that truly clarifies many complex topics and as a good reference source for these topics.From The Critics
Reviewer: K. Dale Noel, PhD (Marquette University)Description: This is a new edition of a standard text in microbial physiology, completely revised from the second edition, which was published in 1988.
Purpose: The expressed purpose of the authors is to describe the physiology of Escherichia coli, the best-understood bacterium, and to integrate its physiology with the detailed understanding of the genetics of this organism at the molecular level. The virtue of this plan is that it gives a very coherent and thorough treatment of this model organism within the limited confines of a 500-page textbook. The book could have been titled Bacterial Physiology, because eukaryotic microbes are scarcely mentioned, and even in covering bacterial physiology, it does not attempt to capture the immense diversity of behavior and metabolism that occurs across the full spectrum of bacterial phylogeny. Nevertheless, the physiologies of other bacteria are not completely neglected; many are mentioned briefly as counter examples to E. coli or examined more extensively when the authors have chosen to present processes that do not occur in E. coli or are much better understood in another organism.
Audience: The book is aimed at graduate students and practitioners of this field.
Features: Although the reproduction of photos is mediocre, the black-and-white diagrams, tables, and illustrations are first rate; they greatly enhance the text. The copious references are up-to-date, sometimes relying on reviews, but in many areas peppered with the latest pertinent research articles as of 1994.
Assessment: This book succeeds very well with the aims it sets of providing a detailed understanding of how one microbe lives (at least in laboratory media) and of certain, selected processes that occur only in other organisms. It succeeds both as a readable text that truly clarifies many complex topics and as a good reference source for these topics.
Booknews
Microbial physiology is the understanding of cell structure, growth factors, metabolism, and genetic composition of microorganisms. This reference, revised and updated to reflect current information and the latest topics, integrates genetics and molecular biology with bacterial physiology and metabolism, in addition to providing in-depth coverage of all the topics central to microbial physiology. For professionals and graduate students in microbiology, as well as researchers in both the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR booknews.comFrom The Critics
Emphasizing the diversity of microorganisms, this book describes the ways genomic approaches can be used to integrate knowledge of the genetics and molecular biology of an organism with its physiology and metabolism. Chapters cover macromolecular synthesis, bacterial genetics, genomic tools, prokaryotic gene expression, bacteriophage genetics, cell structure, carbohydrate metabolism, energy production and metabolite transport, fermentation pathways, photosynthesis, lipids, nitrogen metabolism, biosynthesis and amino acids, purines and pyriminidines, bacterial cell division, microbial stress production, bacterial differentiation, and host-parasite interactions. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)From the Publisher
"…a useful addition to the library of any teach or researcher in microbiology." (Biomolecular Engineering, March 2003)"...expanded and reorganized based upon the rapid growth in the field since the last edition...highly recommended..." (E-Streams, Vol.5, No. 12, December 2002)
"Microbial Physiology (4th ed.) by Moat, Foster, and Spector is much improved compared to previous editions. The graphics in particular are vastly enhanced, making this a very useful book." (ASM News)
3 Stars from Doody