Synopsis Microbiology began since ancient times when people learned to grind lenses from pieces of glass and combine them to produce magnifications great enough to enable microbes to be seen. Since then microorganisms are exceptionally attractive models for studying fundamental life processes. Microorganisms can be grown conveniently in test tubes or flasks, thus requiring less space and maintenance than larger plants and animals. Microbes grow rapidly and reproduce at an unusually high rate, some species of microbes undergo almost 100 generations in 24 hours period. The metabolic processes of microbes follow patterns that occur among higher plants and animals.

The contents of this book will be helpful to the undergraduate and post-graduate students of microbiology biochemistry, agriculture science and food science.