Microbiology : [electronic resource] principles and explorations / Jacquelyn G Black; Laura Black.

1. Scope and history of microbiology -- 2. Fundamentals of chemistry -- 3. Microscopy and staining -- 4. Characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells -- 5. Essential concepts of metabolism -- 6. Growth and culturing of bacteria -- 7. Microbial genetics -- 8. Gene transfer and genetic engineering -- 9. An Introduction to taxonomy: The bacteria -- 10. Viruses -- 11. Eukaryotic microorganisms and parasites -- 12. Sterilization and disinfection -- 13. Antimicrobial therapy -- 14. Host-microbe relationships and disease processes -- 15. Epidemiology and nosocomial infections -- 16. Innate host defenses -- 17. Basic principles of adaptive immunity and immunization -- 18. Immune disorders -- 19. Diseases of the skin and eyes ; Wounds and bites -- 20. Urogenital and sexually transmitted diseases -- 21. Diseases of the respiratory system -- 22. Oral and gastrointestinal diseases -- 23. Cardiovascular, lymphatic, and systemic diseases -- 24. Diseases of the nervous system -- 25. Environmental microbiology -- 26. Applied microbiology.

"Microbiology: Principles and Explorations has been a best-selling textbook for several editions due to the author's engaging writing style where her passion for the subject shines through the narrative. The text's student-friendly approach provides readers with an excellent introduction to the study of Microbiology. This text is appropriate for non-major and mixed major microbiology courses, as well as allied health, agriculture and food sciences courses"