Microbial Growth Kinetics [Hardcover]

Microbial Growth Kinetics opens with a critical review of the history of microbial kinetics from the 19th century to the present day. The results of original investigations into the growth of soil microbes in both laboratory and natural environments are summarised. The book emphasises the analysis of complex dynamic behaviour of microorganism populations. Non-steady states and unbalanced growth, multiple limitation, survival under starvation, differentiation, morphological variability, colony and biofilm growth, mixed cultures and microbial population dynamics in soil are all examined. Mathematical models are proposed which give mechanistic explanations to many features of microbial growth. The book takes general kinetic principles and their ecological applications and presents them in a way specifically designed for the microbiologist. This in itself is unusual but taken with the book's fascinating historical overview and the many fresh and sometimes controversial ideas expressed, this book is a must for all advanced students of microbiology and researchers in microbial ecology and growth.Preface. Historical development of microbial growth theory. Diversity of patterns of microbial growth in situ and ex situ. Microbial growth under homogeneous conditions. Growth kinetics and the life strategy of microbial populations. Microbial growth in soil. Appendix: Derivation of mathematical models and identification of kinetic parameters. References. Index.`This fascinating book begins with an historical review of the development of growth dynamics which should make it essential reading for any PhD student in the fields of population ecology, cell cycle research or growth dynamics.'
SGM Quarterly
`In six chapters, this book provides an excellent overview of microlãe