Size Limits of Very Small Microorganisms

Size Limits of Very Small Microorganisms PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309172748
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 171

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Book Description
How small can a free-living organism be? On the surface, this question is straightforward-in principle, the smallest cells can be identified and measured. But understanding what factors determine this lower limit, and addressing the host of other questions that follow on from this knowledge, require a fundamental understanding of the chemistry and ecology of cellular life. The recent report of evidence for life in a martian meteorite and the prospect of searching for biological signatures in intelligently chosen samples from Mars and elsewhere bring a new immediacy to such questions. How do we recognize the morphological or chemical remnants of life in rocks deposited 4 billion years ago on another planet? Are the empirical limits on cell size identified by observation on Earth applicable to life wherever it may occur, or is minimum size a function of the particular chemistry of an individual planetary surface? These questions formed the focus of a workshop on the size limits of very small organisms, organized by the Steering .Group for the Workshop on Size Limits of Very Small Microorganisms and held on October 22 and 23, 1998. Eighteen invited panelists, representing fields ranging from cell biology and molecular genetics to paleontology and mineralogy, joined with an almost equal number of other participants in a wide-ranging exploration of minimum cell size and the challenge of interpreting micro- and nano-scale features of sedimentary rocks found on Earth or elsewhere in the solar system. This document contains the proceedings of that workshop. It includes position papers presented by the individual panelists, arranged by panel, along with a summary, for each of the four sessions, of extensive roundtable discussions that involved the panelists as well as other workshop participants.

Size Limits of Very Small Microorganisms

Size Limits of Very Small Microorganisms PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309172748
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 171

Get Book Here

Book Description
How small can a free-living organism be? On the surface, this question is straightforward-in principle, the smallest cells can be identified and measured. But understanding what factors determine this lower limit, and addressing the host of other questions that follow on from this knowledge, require a fundamental understanding of the chemistry and ecology of cellular life. The recent report of evidence for life in a martian meteorite and the prospect of searching for biological signatures in intelligently chosen samples from Mars and elsewhere bring a new immediacy to such questions. How do we recognize the morphological or chemical remnants of life in rocks deposited 4 billion years ago on another planet? Are the empirical limits on cell size identified by observation on Earth applicable to life wherever it may occur, or is minimum size a function of the particular chemistry of an individual planetary surface? These questions formed the focus of a workshop on the size limits of very small organisms, organized by the Steering .Group for the Workshop on Size Limits of Very Small Microorganisms and held on October 22 and 23, 1998. Eighteen invited panelists, representing fields ranging from cell biology and molecular genetics to paleontology and mineralogy, joined with an almost equal number of other participants in a wide-ranging exploration of minimum cell size and the challenge of interpreting micro- and nano-scale features of sedimentary rocks found on Earth or elsewhere in the solar system. This document contains the proceedings of that workshop. It includes position papers presented by the individual panelists, arranged by panel, along with a summary, for each of the four sessions, of extensive roundtable discussions that involved the panelists as well as other workshop participants.

The Bacteria Book

The Bacteria Book PDF Author: Steve Mould
Publisher: National Geographic Books
ISBN: 146547028X
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In this fun, fact-packed science book for kids, young readers will discover the bacteria, viruses, and other germs and microbes that keep our bodies and our world running, as well as how and when they can be harmful and the precautions we can take to prevent them from becoming so. Meet a glowing squid, traveling fungus spores, and much more. The Bacteria Book walks the line between "ew, gross!" and "oh, cool!," exploring why we need bacteria and introducing readers to its microbial mates—viruses, fungi, algae, archaea, and protozoa. The Bacteria Book is a fun and informative introduction to a STEM subject that brings kids up-close to the big world of tiny science. With remarkable photography, kooky character illustrations, and lots of fun facts, this book uses real-life examples of microbiology in action to show how tiny microbes affect us in big ways.

Bacteria: A Very Short Introduction

Bacteria: A Very Short Introduction PDF Author: Sebastian G. B. Amyes
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191654086
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
Bacteria form a fundamental branch of life. They are the oldest forms of life as we know it, and they are still the most prolific living organisms. They inhabit every part of the Earth's surface, its ocean depths, and even terrains such as boiling hot springs. They are most familiar as agents of disease, but benign bacteria are critical to the recycling of elements and all ecology, as well as to human health. In this Very Short Introduction, Sebastian Amyes explores the nature of bacteria, their origin and evolution, bacteria in the environment, and bacteria and disease. In looking at our efforts to manage co-evolving bacteria, he also considers the challenges of resistance to antibiotics. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

What You Need to Know about Infectious Disease

What You Need to Know about Infectious Disease PDF Author: Madeline Drexler
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description


Molecular Biology of the Cell

Molecular Biology of the Cell PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780815332183
Category : Cells
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


A Field Guide to Bacteria

A Field Guide to Bacteria PDF Author: Betsey Dexter Dyer
Publisher: Comstock Publishing Associates
ISBN: 9780801488542
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
Written for curious souls of all ages, this title opens readers eyes--and noses and ears--to this hidden world. Useful illustrations accompany Dyer's lively text.

Bacteria

Bacteria PDF Author: Trudy M. Wassenaar
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118107667
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
"This book introduces bacteria and basic microbiological concepts to readers without previous background in the subject. Each chapter concentrates on a particular topic and can be read in isolation or as part of the whole, and wherever possible points are illustrated through real-world examples and short stories. Although bacterial scientific names are used and translated when possible, in general scientific jargon is avoided in order to make the material as accessible as possible for the lay reader"--

Bacterial Cell Wall

Bacterial Cell Wall PDF Author: J.-M. Ghuysen
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080860877
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 607

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Book Description
Studies of the bacterial cell wall emerged as a new field of research in the early 1950s, and has flourished in a multitude of directions. This excellent book provides an integrated collection of contributions forming a fundamental reference for researchers and of general use to teachers, advanced students in the life sciences, and all scientists in bacterial cell wall research. Chapters include topics such as: Peptidoglycan, an essential constituent of bacterial endospores; Teichoic and teichuronic acids, lipoteichoic acids, lipoglycans, neural complex polysaccharides and several specialized proteins are frequently unique wall-associated components of Gram-positive bacteria; Bacterial cells evolving signal transduction pathways; Underlying mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Bacteria

Bacteria PDF Author: Leslie Favor, Ph.D.
Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
ISBN: 1477788395
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 50

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Book Description
Bacteria and humankind interact in incredibly complex ways. Many bacteria can be both harmful to individuals and human society, but others are necessary to human digestion, food production, and many other processes that help humans thrive. This book delves into the various kinds of bacteria, their life cycles and habitats, and their interplay with us and with the natural world at large. Besides the informative details provided on bacteria themselves, this book will be especially valuable to readers who will appreciate the complex web of relationships that bacteria contribute to.

Autotrophic Bacteria

Autotrophic Bacteria PDF Author: Hans Günter Schlegel
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 554

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Book Description