Introductory Microbiology

427 Pages·1995·59.642 MB·English

by  Trevor Gross, Jane Faull, Steve Ketteridge, Derek Springham (auth.)

Introductory Microbiology
Introductory Microbiology
TrC\orGro _
Principal Lecturer
Department of Biological Sciences
The Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester
UK
Jam: Faull
Department of Biology
Birkbeck College
University of London
London
UK
tC\ e K cttL ridge
Staff Development Officer
Queen Mary and Westfield College
University of London
London
UK
and
Derek ~pnngh<lm
Queen Mary and Westfield College
University of London
London
UK
Springer-Science+Business Media, B.V.
First edition 1995
© 1995 Trevor Gross, Jane Faull, Steve Ketteridge and Derek Springham
Originally published by Chapman & Hall in 1995
Typeset in II .5114 pt Garamond by ROM Data Corp. Ltd, Falmouth. Cornwall
ISBN 978-0-412-45300-7 ISBN 978-1-4899-7194-4 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4899-7194-4
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or
criticism or review, as permitted under the UK Copyright Designs and
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accordance with the terms of the licences issued by the Copyright Licensing
Agency in the UK, or in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the
appropriate Reproduction Rights Organization outside the UK. Enquiries
concerning reproduction outside the terms stated here should be sent to the
publishers at the London address printed on this page.
The publisher makes no representation, express or implied, with regard to
the accuracy of the information contained in this book and cannot accept
any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may be
made.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 94-70974
To our parents
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Contents
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Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii
1 Introduction to the microbial world 1
Microorganisms and size 3
Microorganisms as experimental subjects 5
Microorganisms in industry 6
Microorganisms in the environment 7
Microorganisms and disease 9
Further reading 9
Questions 10
2 Microbial structure 12
Structure and function of eukaryotes and prokaryotes 14
Structure and function of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organelles 19
Cell walls 21
Motility 22
Motility in eukaryotes 24
The bacterial cell surface 26
Bacterial endospores 27
Chapter summary 28
Further reading 28
Questions 29
3 Microbial growth 31
Major and minor chemical elements 31
Microbial growth factors 34
Growing microorganisms in the laboratory 37
Batch culture 43
Continuous culture 46
Synchronous growth 49
The effect of environmental conditions on microbial growth 51
Control of microbial growth 53
Chapter summary 58
Further reading 59
Questions 60
viii COi\'TEiVTS
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4 Energy production in microorganisms 62
Energy and thermodynamics 62
Energy from chemical reactions: oxidation-reduction 66
Fermentations 72
Alternative pathways for the fermentation of glucose 76
Respiration 80
Anaerobic respiration 89
Photosynthesis t)()
The Calvin cycle 101
Archaebacterial photosynthesis 104
Chemolithotrophy: energy from the oxidation of inorganic
electron donors 1O S
Chapter summary 106
Further reading 107
Questions 10 7
5 Biosynthesis 110
Anaplerosis 111
Biosynthesis of low-molecular-weight compounds 113
Synthesis of macromolecules 117
Polypeptide synthesis 118
Polynucleotide synthesis 126
The eubacterial cell wall 135
Chapter summary 146
Further reading 148
Questions 148
6 Coordination of metabolism 150
Control of enzyme activity 150
Control of enzyme synthesis 155
Induction of the lac operon 159
Alternative mechanisms of controlling protein synthesis 170
Gene regulation in Saccharomyce.r reretJiJiae, a eukaryotic
microorganism 171
Chapter summary 172
Further reading 17 2
Questions 173
7 The microbial genome: organization, mutation and repair 175
Advantages of using microorganisms for genetic studies 176
DNA is the genetic material 177
CONTENTS !X
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Organization of the hereditary material 181
Mutation 184
Mutagenesis: making mutations happen 191
Selection of mutants 19 5
Reversal of mutation 197
Recombination 201
DNA repair systems 203
Chapter summary 207
Further reading 207
Questions 208
8 Bacterial gene transfer and genetic engineering 211
Bacterial plasmids 211
Conjugation and the F factor 214
Transduction: bacteriophage-mediated gene transfer in bacteria 222
Gene cloning and genetic engineering 229
Eukaryotic microorganisms and genetic engineering 236
Chapter summary 23 7
Further reading 238
Questions 238
9 Eukaryotic microorganisms 241
Structure and growth of protistan microorganisms 244
Structure of the fungi 244
Structure of the protistan algae 250
The protozoa 254
Reproduction in the fungi and the Protista 260
Growth and reproduction in the algae 275
Growth and reproduction in the protozoa 280
Chapter summary 284
Further reading 285
Questions 286
10 Viruses 287
Distinctive properties of viruses 287
Major groups of viruses 294
Types of viral infections 295
Structure of virus particles 301
The viral genome 310
Assaying viruses 319
Virus multiplication 328
X CONTENTS
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Chapter summary 338
Further reading 339
Questions 340
11 Microbial biotechnology 342
Alcoholic beverages 343
Other yeast products 352
Fermented foods 356
Antibiotic production 359
Production of human insulin by genetic manipulation 373
Production of hepatitis B vaccine by gene manipulation 377
Enzyme production 379
Steroid transformations 380
Organic acids 382
Amino acids 385
Purification of organic wastes 385
Chapter summary 389
Further reading 390
Questions 391
Answers to selected questions 393
Index 403
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Preface
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In view of the wide range of microbiology texts currently on offer from
bookshops, one might reasonably question the need for another. In light
of this, the authors of an entirely new microbiology book have an obliga
tion to explain why they were inspired to make their own contribution.
In writing the present text, we have tried to produce a genuine intro
duction to the biology of microorganisms, presenting fundamental
information and ideas about microorganisms in an understandable,
straightforward fashion, without resorting to over-simplification. At the
same time, we hope that we have given sufficient, detailed information to
inspire the readers to progress to more advanced and specialized texts.
These objectives are relatively easy to reach with a book on microbiology,
because most undergraduates in biological sciences have a natural interest
in the subject, particularly in its applied aspects.
In writing the book we had in mind two particular kinds of readers. We
hope that it will constitute an attractive introduction to students in the early
years of a specialist degree or diploma course in microbiology. But we have
also written the book for students who are taking courses in a wide range
of biological disciplines. Although these readers will not necessarily be
come microbiologists and do not require the advanced, detailed treatment
of an honours microbiology undergraduate, they do require a sound and
concise grounding in the basics of the subject with clear links to microbi
ological applications. In contrast to many of our competitors, we have
covered all the major groups of microorganisms and resisted the tempta
tion to concentrate only on the bacteria. The emphasis is on those aspects
of microorganisms which separate them from plants and animals.
Although an ultimately rewarding experience, preparation of the text has
proved difficult and time-consuming. We are indebted to our editor, Dom
inic Recaldin, whose advice and enthusiasm have been major sources of
encouragement throughout the enterprise. The comments of a number of
reviewers were extremely valuable, particularly when we were taking our
first tentative steps preparing drafts of the first chapters. I would like to
acknowledge Dr Peter Gowland's contribution during the early stages of
production. Especially warm thanks go to Jane Faull, Derek Springham and