28 chapters + 4 eAppendices · 641,759 words · 1820 figures

Microbiology: An Evolving Science — 6th edition

The course textbook, readable in full. Sections Rowen assigns carry a unit badge and their exam date, so you can see at a glance what is exam material and what is background. Brock 16e is still here as a second explanation.

Read this alongside your own copy

This is a text rendering, so tables and equation layouts are simplified. Where the exact figure matters, open the same section in your First Day ebook. Worth knowing: eAppendix 3 §A3.6 is assigned in Unit 2 and exists in no print copy — it is here.

Chapter 1 — Microbial Life: Origin and Discovery Chapter 2 — Observing the Microbial Cell Chapter 3 — Cell Structure and Function Chapter 4 — Bacterial Culture, Growth, and Development Chapter 5 — Environmental Influences and Control of Microbial Growth Chapter 6 — Viruses Chapter 7 — Genomes and Chromosomes Chapter 8 — Transcription, Translation, and Protein Processing Chapter 9 — Genetic Change and Genome Evolution Chapter 10 — Molecular Regulation Chapter 11 — Viral Molecular Biology Chapter 12 — Molecular Complexity and Synthetic Biology Chapter 13 — Energetics and Catabolism Chapter 14 — Electron Flow in Organotrophy, Lithotrophy, and Phototrophy Chapter 15 — Biosynthesis Chapter 16 — Food and Industrial Microbiology Chapter 17 — Origins and Evolution Chapter 18 — Bacterial Diversity Chapter 19 — Archaeal Diversity Chapter 20 — Eukaryotic Diversity Chapter 21 — Microbial Ecology Chapter 22 — Element Cycles and Environmental Microbiology Chapter 23 — The Human Microbiome and Innate Immunity Chapter 24 — The Adaptive Immune Response Chapter 25 — Pathogenesis Chapter 26 — Microbial Diseases Chapter 27 — Antimicrobial Therapy and Discovery Chapter 28 — Clinical Microbiology and Epidemiology eAppendix 1 — Biological Molecules By Kathy Gillen eAppendix 2 — Introductory Cell Biology: Eukaryotic Cells eAppendix 3 — Laboratory Methods for Microbiology eAppendix 4 — Molecular Biology of Diverse Viruses Answers to Thought Questions — Answers to Thought Questions Glossary — Glossary

68 sections are assigned across the five units.

Chapter 1Microbial Life: Origin and Discoveryread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 1.1 From Germ to Genome: What Is a Microbe?
  • 1.2 Microbes Shape Human History
  • 1.3 Medical Microbiology
  • 1.4 Environment and Ecology
  • 1.5 The Microbial Family Tree
  • 1.6 Cell Biology and the DNA Revolution

Chapter 2Observing the Microbial Cellread →

6 assigned sections — Unit 1 · Methods. Exam 1 — Oct 5.

Sections

  • 2.1 Observing Microbes U1
  • 2.2 Optics and Properties of Light U1
  • 2.3 Bright-Field Microscopy and Phase- Contrast Microscopy U1
  • 2.4 Fixation and Staining for Bright-Field Microscopy U1
  • 2.5 Fluorescence Microscopy, FISH, and Chemical Imaging Microscopy U1
  • 2.6 Electron Microscopy, Scanning Probe Microscopy, and X-Ray Crystallography U1

Chapter 3Cell Structure and Functionread →

5 assigned sections — Unit 3 · Structure. Exam 2 — Oct 28.

Sections

  • 3.1 The Bacterial Cell: An Overview
  • 3.2 Membrane Molecules and Transport U3
  • 3.3 The Envelope and Cytoskeleton U3
  • 3.4 Bacterial Cell Division U3
  • 3.5 Cell Asymmetry, Membrane Vesicles, and Extensions U3
  • 3.6 Specialized Structures U3

Chapter 4Bacterial Culture, Growth, and Developmentread →

4 assigned sections — Unit 1 · Methods, Unit 5 · Regulation. Exam 1 — Oct 5.

Sections

  • 4.1 Microbial Nutrition
  • 4.2 Nutrient Uptake
  • 4.3 Culturing and Counting Bacteria U1
  • 4.4 The Growth Cycle U1
  • 4.5 Biofilms U5
  • 4.6 Cell Differentiation U5

Chapter 5Environmental Influences and Control of Microbial Growthread →

6 assigned sections — Unit 5 · Regulation. Exam 4 — Dec 16.

Sections

  • 5.1 Extremophiles and the Constraints of Temperature and Pressure U5
  • 5.2 Osmolarity and Halophiles U5
  • 5.3 Hydronium (pH) and Hydroxide Ion Concentrations U5
  • 5.4 Oxygen U5
  • 5.5 Starvation and Eutrophication U5
  • 5.6 Physical, Chemical, and Biological Control of Microbes U5

Chapter 6Virusesread →

6 assigned sections — Unit 2 · Genomes, Unit 3 · Structure. Exam 1 — Oct 5.

Sections

  • 6.1 Viruses in Ecosystems U3
  • 6.2 Virus Structure U3
  • 6.3 Viral Genomes and Classification U2
  • 6.4 Bacteriophages: The Gut Virome U3
  • 6.5 Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Pathogens U3
  • 6.6 Culturing Viruses U3

Chapter 7Genomes and Chromosomesread →

6 assigned sections — Unit 2 · Genomes. Exam 1 — Oct 5.

Sections

  • 7.1 DNA: The Genetic Material U2
  • 7.2 Genome Organization U2
  • 7.3 DNA Replication U2
  • 7.4 Plasmids and Secondary Chromosomes U2
  • 7.5 Eukaryotic and Archaeal Chromosomes U2
  • 7.6 Microbiomes and Metagenomes U2

Chapter 8Transcription, Translation, and Protein Processingread →

5 assigned sections — Unit 5 · Regulation. Exam 4 — Dec 16.

Sections

  • 8.1 From DNA to RNA to Protein U5
  • 8.2 Transcription of DNA to RNA U5
  • 8.3 Translation of RNA to Protein U5
  • 8.4 Protein Modification, Folding, and Degradation U5
  • 8.5 Secretion: Protein Traffic Control U5

Chapter 9Genetic Change and Genome Evolutionread →

5 assigned sections — Unit 2 · Genomes. Exam 1 — Oct 5.

Sections

  • 9.1 Mutations U2
  • 9.2 DNA Repair U2
  • 9.3 Gene Transfer Mechanisms U2
  • 9.4 Mobile Genetic Elements U2
  • 9.5 Genome Evolution U2

Chapter 10Molecular Regulationread →

5 assigned sections — Unit 5 · Regulation. Exam 4 — Dec 16.

Sections

  • 10.1 Transcription Repressors and Activators U5
  • 10.2 Alternative Sigma Factors and Anti-Sigma Factors U5
  • 10.3 Regulation by RNA U5
  • 10.4 Second Messengers U5
  • 10.5 Clocks, Thermometers, and Switches U5

Chapter 11Viral Molecular Biologyread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 11.1 Phage Lambda: Enteric Bacteriophage
  • 11.2 Influenza Virus: (–) strand RNA Virus
  • 11.3 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Retrovirus
  • 11.4 Endogenous Retroviruses and Lentiviral Gene Therapy
  • 11.5 Herpes Simplex Virus: DNA Virus

Chapter 12Molecular Complexity and Synthetic Biologyread →

2 assigned sections — Unit 5 · Regulation. Exam 4 — Dec 16.

Sections

  • 12.1 Chemotaxis: Movement with a Destination U5
  • 12.2 Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa U5
  • 12.3 CRISPR and Other Antiphage Defenses
  • 12.4 Synthetic Biology: Biology by Design

Chapter 13Energetics and Catabolismread →

6 assigned sections — Unit 4 · Metabolism. Exam 3 — Nov 23.

Sections

  • 13.1 Energy for Life U4
  • 13.2 Energy Carriers and Electron Transfer U4
  • 13.3 Catabolism: The Microbial Buffet U4
  • 13.4 Glucose Fermentation and Respiration U4
  • 13.5 Our Gut Microbiome: Friends with Benefits U4
  • 13.6 Aromatic Catabolism and Syntrophy U4

Chapter 14Electron Flow in Organotrophy, Lithotrophy, and Phototrophyread →

6 assigned sections — Unit 4 · Metabolism. Exam 3 — Nov 23.

Sections

  • 14.1 Electron Transport Systems and the Proton Motive Force U4
  • 14.2 The Respiratory ETS and ATP Synthase U4
  • 14.3 Anaerobic Respiration U4
  • 14.4 Nanowires, Electron Shuttles, and Fuel Cells U4
  • 14.5 Lithotrophy and Methanogenesis U4
  • 14.6 Phototrophy U4

Chapter 15Biosynthesisread →

2 assigned sections — Unit 4 · Metabolism. Exam 3 — Nov 23.

Sections

  • 15.1 Overview of Biosynthesis U4
  • 15.2 CO 2 Fixation: The Calvin Cycle and Other Pathways U4
  • 15.3 Fatty Acids and Antibiotics
  • 15.4 Nitrogen Fixation and Regulation
  • 15.5 Amino Acids and Nucleobases

Chapter 16Food and Industrial Microbiologyread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 16.1 Microbial Foods
  • 16.2 Acid-Fermented and Alkali- Fermented Foods
  • 16.3 Ethanolic Fermentation: Bread and Wine
  • 16.4 Food Spoilage and Preservation
  • 16.5 Industrial Microbiology
  • 16.6 Vaccines and Gene Therapy Vectors

Chapter 17Origins and Evolutionread →

2 assigned sections — Unit 2 · Genomes. Exam 1 — Oct 5.

Sections

  • 17.1 Origins of Life
  • 17.2 Forming the First Cells
  • 17.3 Evolution: Phylogeny and Gene Transfer U2
  • 17.4 Natural Selection and Adaptation
  • 17.5 Microbial Species and Taxonomy U2
  • 17.6 Symbiosis and the Origin of Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

Chapter 18Bacterial Diversityread →

1 assigned section — Unit 2 · Genomes. Exam 1 — Oct 5.

Sections

  • 18.1 Bacterial Diversity at a Glance U2
  • 18.2 Cyanobacteria: Oxygenic Phototrophs
  • 18.3 Firmicutes, Mycoplasma, and Actinobacteria
  • 18.4 Proteobacteria: From Photoheterotrophs to Lithotrophs
  • 18.5 Spirochetes, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chlorobi
  • 18.6 Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Chlamydiae

Chapter 19Archaeal Diversityread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 19.1 Archaeal Diversity at a Glance
  • 19.2 TACK Hyperthermophiles Eat Sulfur
  • 19.3 Thaumarchaeota: Ammonia Oxidizers and Animal Symbionts
  • 19.4 Euryarchaeota: Methanogens from Gut to Globe
  • 19.5 Haloarchaea and Other Euryarchaeotes: Underground and Under Ocean
  • 19.6 DPANN Symbionts, Altiarchaeales, and Asgard: Branch to Eukaryotes

Chapter 20Eukaryotic Diversityread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 20.1 Phylogeny of Eukaryotes
  • 20.2 Fungi
  • 20.3 Amoebozoa: Amebas and Slime Molds
  • 20.4 Algae
  • 20.5 Alveolates: Ciliates, Dinoflagellates, and Apicomplexans
  • 20.6 Parasitic Protozoa and Microscopic Animals

Chapter 21Microbial Ecologyread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 21.1 Microbial Communities: Omics Analysis
  • 21.2 Functional Ecology: Microbial Culture and Abiotic Factors
  • 21.3 Symbiosis
  • 21.4 Animal Digestive Microbiomes
  • 21.5 Marine and Freshwater Microbes
  • 21.6 Soil and Plant Microbial Communities

Chapter 22Element Cycles and Environmental Microbiologyread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 22.1 The Carbon Cycle and Climate Change
  • 22.2 The Hydrologic Cycle and Wastewater Treatment
  • 22.3 The Nitrogen Cycle
  • 22.4 Sulfur, Phosphorus, and Metals
  • 22.5 Our Built Environment
  • 22.6 Astrobiology

Chapter 23The Human Microbiome and Innate Immunityread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 23.1 The Human Microbiome
  • 23.2 Benefits and Risks of Microbiota
  • 23.3 Overview of the Immune System
  • 23.4 Physical and Chemical Defenses against Infection
  • 23.5 Innate Immunity: Surveillance, Cytokines, and Inflammation
  • 23.6 Complement and Fever

Chapter 24The Adaptive Immune Responseread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 24.1 Overview of Adaptive Immunity
  • 24.2 Antibody Structure, Diversity, and Synthesis
  • 24.3 T Cells Link Antibody and Cellular Immune Systems
  • 24.4 Complement as Part of Adaptive Immunity
  • 24.5 Gut Mucosal Immunity and the Microbiome
  • 24.6 Immunization
  • 24.7 Hypersensitivity and Autoimmunity

Chapter 25Pathogenesisread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 25.1 Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • 25.2 Microbial Attachment: First Contact
  • 25.3 Toxins Subvert Host Functions
  • 25.4 Deploying Toxins and Effectors
  • 25.5 Surviving within the Host
  • 25.6 Tools Used to Probe Pathogenesis

Chapter 26Microbial Diseasesread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 26.1 Basics of Diagnosis and Infections of Skin, Soft Tissue, and Bone
  • 26.2 Respiratory Tract Infections
  • 26.3 Gastrointestinal Tract Infections
  • 26.4 Genitourinary Tract Infections
  • 26.5 Cardiovascular and Systemic Infections
  • 26.6 Central Nervous System Infections

Chapter 27Antimicrobial Therapy and Discoveryread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 27.1 Fundamentals of Antimicrobial Therapy
  • 27.2 Antibiotic Mechanisms of Action
  • 27.3 Challenges of Drug Resistance and Discovery
  • 27.4 Antiviral Agents
  • 27.5 Antifungal Agents

Chapter 28Clinical Microbiology and Epidemiologyread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • 28.1 Clinical Specimen Collection and Handling
  • 28.2 Pathogen Identification by Culture and Phenotype
  • 28.3 Molecular and Serological Identification of Pathogens
  • 28.4 Epidemiology
  • 28.5 Detecting Emerging Microbial Diseases
  • 28.6 Infectious Disease and Health Disparities

eAppendix 1Biological Molecules By Kathy Gillenread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • A1.1 Elements, Bonding, and Water
  • A1.2 Organic Molecules
  • A1.3 Proteins
  • A1.4 Carbohydrates
  • A1.5 Nucleic Acids
  • A1.6 Lipids
  • A1.7 Biological Chemistry

eAppendix 2Introductory Cell Biology: Eukaryotic Cellsread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • A2.1 The Cell Membrane
  • A2.2 The Nucleus and Mitosis
  • A2.3 Problems Faced by Large Cells
  • A2.4 The Endomembrane System
  • A2.5 The Cytoskeleton
  • A2.6 Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

eAppendix 3Laboratory Methods for Microbiologyread →

1 assigned section — Unit 2 · Genomes. Exam 1 — Oct 5.

Sections

  • A3.1 Ultracentrifugation to Isolate Parts of Cells
  • A3.2 Agarose-Gel Electrophoresis
  • A3.3 Protein Identification on 2D Gels with Mass Spectrometry
  • A3.4 Northern and Southern Blots to Identify RNA and DNA
  • A3.5 DNA Isolation and PCR Amplification
  • A3.6 DNA Sequencing by Sanger, Illumina, and Nanopore Methods U2
  • A3.7 Gene Cloning and Gibson Assembly
  • A3.8 Primer Extension to Identify Transcriptional Start Sites
  • A3.9 DNA Microarray
  • A3.10 Protein Binding to DNA (ChIP- seq) and Protein-Protein Binding (Yeast Two-Hybrid Assay)
  • A3.11 Confocal Microscopy
  • A3.12 Immunoprecipitation and Western Blot
  • A3.13 ICNP Phylum Nomenclature

eAppendix 4Molecular Biology of Diverse Virusesread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

Sections

  • A4.1 Phage T4: The Classic Molecular Model
  • A4.2 The Filamentous Phage M13: Vaccines and Nanowires
  • A4.3 Poliovirus: (+) Strand RNA Virus
  • A4.4 Hepatitis C: (+) Strand RNA Virus

Answers to Thought QuestionsAnswers to Thought Questionsread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.

GlossaryGlossaryread →

No sections from this chapter are on Rowen's schedule. Read it for background or a second explanation.