Microbiology

by Nina Parker, Mark Schneegurt, Anh-Hue Thi Tu, Philip Lister and Brian M. Forster

Published by OpenStax

BiologyCollege

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology ’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs. Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

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Attribution

Adapted from Microbiology by Nina Parker, Mark Schneegurt, Anh-Hue Thi Tu, Philip Lister, and Brian M. Forster, published by OpenStax (Rice University) under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). Access the original for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology. Changes: converted to CuraCourse lessons, with interactive practice added.

185 pages in 28 modules. Sign up to read and adopt them.

Preface1 page
1. Preface
1An Invisible World5 pages
1. Introduction
2. 1.1What Our Ancestors Knew
3. 1.2A Systematic Approach
4. 1.3Types of Microorganisms
5. Practice
2How We See the Invisible World6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 2.1The Properties of Light
3. 2.2Peering Into the Invisible World
4. 2.3Instruments of Microscopy
5. 2.4Staining Microscopic Specimens
6. Practice
3The Cell6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 3.1Spontaneous Generation
3. 3.2Foundations of Modern Cell Theory
4. 3.3Unique Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cells
5. 3.4Unique Characteristics of Eukaryotic Cells
6. Practice
4Prokaryotic Diversity8 pages
1. Introduction
2. 4.1Prokaryote Habitats, Relationships, and Microbiomes
3. 4.2Proteobacteria
4. 4.3Nonproteobacteria Gram-Negative Bacteria and Phototrophic Bacteria
5. 4.4Gram-Positive Bacteria
6. 4.5Deeply Branching Bacteria
7. 4.6Archaea
8. Practice
5The Eukaryotes of Microbiology7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 5.1Unicellular Eukaryotic Parasites
3. 5.2Parasitic Helminths
4. 5.3Fungi
5. 5.4Algae
6. 5.5Lichens
7. Practice
6Acellular Pathogens6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 6.1Viruses
3. 6.2The Viral Life Cycle
4. 6.3Isolation, Culture, and Identification of Viruses
5. 6.4Viroids, Virusoids, and Prions
6. Practice
7Microbial Biochemistry7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 7.1Organic Molecules
3. 7.2Carbohydrates
4. 7.3Lipids
5. 7.4Proteins
6. 7.5Using Biochemistry to Identify Microorganisms
7. Practice
8Microbial Metabolism9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 8.1Energy, Matter, and Enzymes
3. 8.2Catabolism of Carbohydrates
4. 8.3Cellular Respiration
5. 8.4Fermentation
6. 8.5Catabolism of Lipids and Proteins
7. 8.6Photosynthesis
8. 8.7Biogeochemical Cycles
9. Practice
9Microbial Growth8 pages
1. Introduction
2. 9.1How Microbes Grow
3. 9.2Oxygen Requirements for Microbial Growth
4. 9.3The Effects of pH on Microbial Growth
5. 9.4Temperature and Microbial Growth
6. 9.5Other Environmental Conditions that Affect Growth
7. 9.6Media Used for Bacterial Growth
8. Practice
10Biochemistry of the Genome6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 10.1Using Microbiology to Discover the Secrets of Life
3. 10.2Structure and Function of DNA
4. 10.3Structure and Function of RNA
5. 10.4Structure and Function of Cellular Genomes
6. Practice
11Mechanisms of Microbial Genetics9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 11.1The Functions of Genetic Material
3. 11.2DNA Replication
4. 11.3RNA Transcription
5. 11.4Protein Synthesis (Translation)
6. 11.5Mutations
7. 11.6How Asexual Prokaryotes Achieve Genetic Diversity
8. 11.7Gene Regulation: Operon Theory
9. Practice
12Modern Applications of Microbial Genetics6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 12.1Microbes and the Tools of Genetic Engineering
3. 12.2Visualizing and Characterizing DNA, RNA, and Protein
4. 12.3Whole Genome Methods and Pharmaceutical Applications of Genetic Engineering
5. 12.4Gene Therapy
6. Practice
13Control of Microbial Growth6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 13.1Controlling Microbial Growth
3. 13.2Using Physical Methods to Control Microorganisms
4. 13.3Using Chemicals to Control Microorganisms
5. 13.4Testing the Effectiveness of Antiseptics and Disinfectants
6. Practice
14Antimicrobial Drugs9 pages
1. Introduction
2. 14.1History of Chemotherapy and Antimicrobial Discovery
3. 14.2Fundamentals of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
4. 14.3Mechanisms of Antibacterial Drugs
5. 14.4Mechanisms of Other Antimicrobial Drugs
6. 14.5Drug Resistance
7. 14.6Testing the Effectiveness of Antimicrobials
8. 14.7Current Strategies for Antimicrobial Discovery
9. Practice
15Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 15.1Characteristics of Infectious Disease
3. 15.2How Pathogens Cause Disease
4. 15.3Virulence Factors of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens
5. 15.4Virulence Factors of Eukaryotic Pathogens
6. Practice
16Disease and Epidemiology6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 16.1The Language of Epidemiologists
3. 16.2Tracking Infectious Diseases
4. 16.3Modes of Disease Transmission
5. 16.4Global Public Health
6. Practice
17Innate Nonspecific Host Defenses7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 17.1Physical Defenses
3. 17.2Chemical Defenses
4. 17.3Cellular Defenses
5. 17.4Pathogen Recognition and Phagocytosis
6. 17.5Inflammation and Fever
7. Practice
18Adaptive Specific Host Defenses7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 18.1Overview of Specific Adaptive Immunity
3. 18.2Major Histocompatibility Complexes and Antigen-Presenting Cells
4. 18.3T Lymphocytes and Cellular Immunity
5. 18.4B Lymphocytes and Humoral Immunity
6. 18.5Vaccines
7. Practice
19Diseases of the Immune System7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 19.1Hypersensitivities
3. 19.2Autoimmune Disorders
4. 19.3Organ Transplantation and Rejection
5. 19.4Immunodeficiency
6. 19.5Cancer Immunobiology and Immunotherapy
7. Practice
20Laboratory Analysis of the Immune Response7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 20.1Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibody Production
3. 20.2Detecting Antigen-Antibody Complexes
4. 20.3Agglutination Assays
5. 20.4EIAs and ELISAs
6. 20.5Fluorescent Antibody Techniques
7. Practice
21Skin and Eye Infections7 pages
1. Introduction
2. 21.1Anatomy and Normal Microbiota of the Skin and Eyes
3. 21.2Bacterial Infections of the Skin and Eyes
4. 21.3Viral Infections of the Skin and Eyes
5. 21.4Mycoses of the Skin
6. 21.5Protozoan and Helminthic Infections of the Skin and Eyes
7. Practice
22Respiratory System Infections6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 22.1Anatomy and Normal Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
3. 22.2Bacterial Infections of the Respiratory Tract
4. 22.3Viral Infections of the Respiratory Tract
5. 22.4Respiratory Mycoses
6. Practice
23Urogenital System Infections8 pages
1. Introduction
2. 23.1Anatomy and Normal Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
3. 23.2Bacterial Infections of the Urinary System
4. 23.3Bacterial Infections of the Reproductive System
5. 23.4Viral Infections of the Reproductive System
6. 23.5Fungal Infections of the Reproductive System
7. 23.6Protozoan Infections of the Urogenital System
8. Practice
24Digestive System Infections8 pages
1. Introduction
2. 24.1Anatomy and Normal Microbiota of the Digestive System
3. 24.2Microbial Diseases of the Mouth and Oral Cavity
4. 24.3Bacterial Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract
5. 24.4Viral Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract
6. 24.5Protozoan Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract
7. 24.6Helminthic Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract
8. Practice
25Circulatory and Lymphatic System Infections6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 25.1Anatomy of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
3. 25.2Bacterial Infections of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
4. 25.3Viral Infections of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
5. 25.4Parasitic Infections of the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
6. Practice
26Nervous System Infections6 pages
1. Introduction
2. 26.1Anatomy of the Nervous System
3. 26.2Bacterial Diseases of the Nervous System
4. 26.3Acellular Diseases of the Nervous System
5. 26.4Fungal and Parasitic Diseases of the Nervous System
6. Practice
Appendices5 pages
1. AFundamentals of Physics and Chemistry Important to Microbiology
2. BMathematical Basics
3. CMetabolic Pathways
4. DTaxonomy of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms
5. EGlossary

Microbiology

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