When most people hear the word "bacteria" they think of foodpoisoning; infections; and acute, debilitating, or fatal diseases.Yet, while E. coli, strep, and other bacterial pathogenscertainly cause their share of misery in the world, they are only atiny portion of a vast universe of microorganisms—the mostbasic of life forms. Without them, nothing else could live or growon Planet Earth. Bacteria: The Benign, the Bad, and theBeautiful introduces you to this diverse, microscopic world andexplains the fundamental microbiological concepts you need toexplore the life and behavior of bacteria. Even if you have noprevious background in the subject, the book's clear, jargon-freelanguage tells you what you need to know about:

The origins and evolution of bacteria

Some of the fundamental ways in which bacteria have shaped the world

Bacteria commonly found in the healthy human body

Antibiotics and the growing problem of resistance

Marine microbiology, bacterial toxins, and enzymes

Bacterial genetics and genomics

Bacteria that survive in extreme environments, such as boilingwater

And much more

This comprehensive guide features custom-drawn, black-and-whiteillustrations by artist Karoly Farkas, and it illuminates itspoints through real-world examples and engaging stories. Discrete,topic-by-topic structure, text-box summaries of background science,and a helpful glossary make for quick and easy reference. Whetheryou are a science professional in need of information on bacteriaoutside of your specialty, a student in search of a solidintroduction, or a curious reader looking for fascinating andreliable information, Bacteria: The Benign, the Bad, and theBeautiful is the resource you need.

Content - Preface, Note to the Reader, 1. The Blue Planet, 2. Tree of Life: Let Three Live, 3. How Old Are They?, 4. On the Move, 5. Needles, 6. Dead or Alive, 7. Nobel Works, 8. Bacteria and Insects, 9. Bacterial Toxins, 10. Enzymes, 11. Genetics and Genomics, 12. Antibiotics and Resistance, 13. Marine Microbiology, 14. Bacteria and Oil, 15. Extreme Life, 16. Record Holders, 17. Bacteria and Art, 18. Fixing the Air, 19. Pest and Pestilence, 20. Our Bacteria, 21. Sensing Bacteria, 22. Bacteria and Mankind, 23. Big Questions on Small Subjects, 24. Synthetic Biology, 25. Bacteria, the Earth, and Beyond, Glossary, Bibliography, Index of Bacterial Genera and Species, Subject Index