Includes bibliographical references (p. 475-476) and index.

Ch. 1. Introduction to Microbiology -- Microbiology, the Science -- Tools of Microbiology -- 3. Units of Measurement -- Ch. 2. Cell Structure and Taxonomy -- Cells: Eucaryotes and Procaryotes -- Taxonomy -- Ch. 3. Diversity of Microorganisms -- Categories of Microorganisms -- Bacteria -- Rudimentary Forms of Bacteria -- Photosynthetic Bacteria -- Archaebacteria -- Algae -- Protozoa -- Fungi -- Lichens -- Slime Molds -- Acellular Infectious Agents -- Ch. 4. Basic Chemistry Concepts -- Basic Chemistry -- Ch. 5. Biochemistry: The Chemistry of Life -- Organic Chemistry -- Biochemistry -- Ch. 6. Microbial Physiology and Genetics -- Nutrition -- Enzymes, Metabolism, and Energy -- Microbial Growth -- Bacterial Genetics -- Genetic Engineering -- Gene Therapy -- Ch. 7. Controlling the Growth of Microorganisms -- Definition of Terms -- Factors Influencing Microbial Growth -- Antimicrobial Methods -- Chemotherapy -- Ch. 8. Microbial Ecology -- Interactions Between Humans and Microbes -- Microbes in Agriculture -- Biotechnology -- Bioremediation -- Biological Warfare Agents -- Ch. 9. Microbial Pathogenicity and Epidemiology -- Microbial Pathogenicity -- Epidemiology and Disease Transmission -- Reservoirs of Infection -- Modes of Disease Transmission -- Control of Epidemic Diseases -- Ch. 10. Preventing the Spread of Communicable Diseases -- Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Infections -- Specimen Collecting, Processing, and Testing -- Environmental Disease Control Measures -- Ch. 11. Human Defenses Against Infectious Diseases -- Nonspecific Mechanisms of Defense -- Immune Response to Disease: Third Line of Defense -- Ch. 12. Major Infectious Diseases of Humans -- Skin Infections -- Eye Infections -- Infectious Diseases of the Mouth -- Ear Infections -- Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory System -- -