Introduction to Bacteria and Their Ecobiology

The purpose of this book is to illustrate a selection of biological prop­ erties of bacteria that reveal them as important living beings. We have primarily addressed readers who have had some previous educa­ tion in the natural sciences, and we have assumed a modest under­ standing of elementary chemical and biological principles. Our aim is to provide abrief survey of bacterial forms and structures, placing special emphasis on the activities of bacteria in their environment and some important i