Introduction to Bacteria

Like the first edition, this book assumes no prior knowledge of bacteria. Starting at the beginning, it builds an integrated picture of the structure, growth, differentiation, metabolism and molecular biology of the bacteria; these "core" aspects are central to all areas of bacteriology - including biotechnology, medicine, food technology, water supplies, sewage treatment, agriculture and environmental science. Subsequent chapters deal with specific areas of applied bacteriology and also cover the classification, identification of bacteria, disinfection, sterilization and other areas of practical bacteriology. Since the first edition there have been many advances, both in concept and detail; these advances have shaped the second edition, and, in general, the subject has been taken to a higher level. In the text, however, knowledge is built up sequentially, from first principles, so that students may either study at an elementary level or progress to a level at which they can follow more advanced texts and papers; for the latter group, the text includes a number of references to recent papers and reviews.