Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1: Introduction to the microbial world -- History of microbiology -- Biochemical background for microbiology -- Introduction to microscopic technique -- Characteristics of the microbial world: prokaryotes -- Characteristics of the microbial world: eukaryotes -- Viruses -- Part 2: Microbial structure and function -- Prokaryotic ultrastructure and function -- Eukaryotic ultrastructure and function -- Part 3: Microbial Genetics -- DNA replication and mutation -- Genetic code and protein photosynthesis -- Recombination and gene transfer -- Eukaryotic genetics -- Part 4: Microbial metabolism and growth -- energy production in microorganisms -- Nutrition, biosynthesis, and metabolic control -- Microbial growth and factors affecting growth -- Viral replication and tumor development -- Part 5: Environmental and applied microbiology -- Concepts of microbial ecology -- Aquatic microbiology -- Soil microbiology -- Food microbiology -- Industrial microbiology -- Part 6: Infection and immunity -- Host-parasite interactions -- Immunology: factors and functions of the immune system -- Antigen-antibody interactions: their detection and quantitation -- Immune disorders: immunodeficiencies and hypersensitivitites -- Part 7: Microorganisms and human infectios disease -- Epidemiology of infectious disease -- Control of infectious microorganisms: chemotherapy, sterilization, and disinfection -- Bacterial diseases -- Viral diseases -- Sexually transmitted diseases -- Fungal diseases -- Animal parasite diseases -- Hospital-associated diseases -- Part 8: Infectious diseases of animals and plants -- Infectious diseases of animals -- Infectious diseases of plants.