Microbiology : A system Approach / Marjorie Kelly Cowan and Kathleen Park Talaro.

Includes index.

The main themes of microbiology -- The chemistry of biology -- Tools of the laboratory: the methods for studying microorganisms -- Procaryotic profiles: the bacteria and archaea -- Eucaryotic cells and microorganisms -- An introduction to the viruses -- Elements of microbial nutrition, ecology, and growth -- Microbial metabolism: the chemical crossroads of life -- Microbial genetics -- Genetic engineering: a revolution in molecular biology -- Physical and chemical control of microbes -- Drugs, microbes, host- the elements of chemotherapy -- Microbe-human interactions: infection and disease -- Host defences I: overview and nonspecific host defenses -- Host defences II: specific immunity and immunization -- Disorders in immunity -- Diagnosing infections ---- Infectious diseases affecting the skin and eyes -- Infectious diseases affecting the nervous system -- Infectious diseases affecting the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems -- Infectious diseases affecting the respiratory system -- Infectious diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract -- Infectious diseases affecting the genitourinary system -- Environmental and applied microbiology -- Applied and industrial microbiology -- APPENDIX A: Exponents -- APPENDIX B: Significant events in microbiology -- APPENDIX C: Answers to multiple-choice and selected true-false matching questions -- Appendix D: An introduction to concept mapping.

"Making Connections" Microbiology: A Systems Approach is a non-majors/allied health microbiology textbook that has quickly become known for its unique organization, engaging writing style, and instructional art program. Cowan's "building blocks" approach establishes the big picture first and then gradually layers concepts onto this foundation. This logical structure helps students build knowledge and connect important concepts."--Publisher's website.