
CHAPTER 10: THE PROKARYOTES:
DOMAINS ARCHAEA AND BACTERIA
Bacteria are one of the most common microbes that you encounter. Some bacte-
ria cause disease and other bacteria help you live by aiding in digestion. There
are many different kinds of bacteria; however, all bacteria can be grouped into
four divisions based on the characteristics of their cell walls.
Each division is further divided into sections based on other characteristics,
such as oxygen requirements, motility, shape, and Gram-stain reaction. In this
chapter, you’ll learn how to use these divisions and sections to identify bacteria.
CHAPTER 11: THE EUKARYOTES:
FUNGI, ALGAE, PROTOZOA, AND HELMINTHS
In this chapter you’ll take a close look at the kingdoms of fungi, protista, and
animalia. These are microbes that are commonly known as fungi, algae, proto-
zoa, and helminths.
Eukaryotes are a type of microbe and are different from bacteria and viruses.
However, they, too, are beneficial to us. They supply food, remove waste, and
cure disease (in the form of antibiotics). And as bacteria, some eukaryotes also
cause disease.
CHAPTER 12: VIRUSES, VIROIDS, AND PRIONS
Probably one of the most feared microbes is a virus because often there is little
or nothing that can be done to kill it. Once you’re infected, you can treat the
symptoms, such as a runny nose and watery eyes, but otherwise you must let the
virus run its course.
Did you ever wonder why this is case? If so, then read this chapter for the
answer and learn what a virus is, how viruses live, and which diseases they cause.
CHAPTER 13: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND DISEASE
It’s flu season and you can only hope that you don’t become infected—otherwise
you’ll have ten days of chills, sneezing, and isolation. No one will want to come
close to you for fear of catching the flu.
INTRODUCTION
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