In this Journey to Microbial Worlds we present the diversity of microorganisms, from the state of fossil microbes in Archaean age rocks to the possibilities of extraterrestrial life. This volume discusses the extremophiles living in harsh environments (from our anthropocentric point) and describes them in considerable detail. Some chapters also review topics such as symbiosis, bacterial luminescence, methanogens, and petroleum-grown cells. The final chapters of this book shed new light on astrobiology and speculate on extremophiles as candidates for extraterrestrial life. All chapters are updated to the latest research level.

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InhaltsangabeDedication. Foreword; J.T. Staley. Preface; J. Seckbach. Acknowledgements. I: General Diversity. 1. A Vista into the Diverse Microbial Worlds: An Introduction; J. Seckbach, A. Oren. 2. Diversity of Fossil Microorganisms in Archaean-Age Rocks; F. Westall, M.M. Walsh. 3. Prokaryotic Diversity; F.A. Rainey, N. Ward-Rainey. 4. Molecular Biology and Genetic Diversity of Microorganisms; V. Torsvik, et al. II: Introduction to Extremophiles. 5. Bacterial Habitats of Extremophiles; M.T. Madigan. 6. Anaerobes from Extreme Environments; B. Ollivier, et al. III: Thermophiles and Acidophiles. 7. Sulfur Metabolism Among Hyperthermophiles; K.M. Noll, S.E. Childers. 8. Acidophilic Microorganisms; J. Seckbach. 9. New Acidophilic Thermophiles; R.L. Weiss Bizzoco, et al. IV: Psychrophiles and Barophiles. 10. Snow Algae: The Effects of Chemical and Physical Factors on their Life Cycles and Populations; R.W. Hoham, H.U. Ling. 11. Oceanographic Perspective on Microbial Life at Low Temperature; J.W. Deming, A.L. Huston. 12. Bacterial Life in Deep Sea; A.A. Yayanos. V: Alkaliphiles. 13. Microbial Diversity and Ecology of Alkaline Environments; B.E. Jones, W.D. Grant. 14. Anaerobic Chemotrophic Alkaliphiles; G.A. Zavarzin, T.N. Zhilina. 15. Alkaliphilic Cyanobacteria; S. Boussiba, et al. VI: Halophiles. 16. Microbial Life at High Salt Concentration; A. Oren. 17. Halophilic Fungi in the Dead Sea; A.S. Buchalo, et al. VII: Symbioses. 18. Symbioses: Living One inside the Other; B. Büdel. VIII: Bioluminescence. 19. Luminous Bacteria; M. Haygood, S. Allen. IX: Versatile Microbial Life on the Edge. 20. Diversity of Methanogens; D.L. Valentine, D.R. Boone. 21. Microbial Life on Petroleum; E.Z. Ron. 22. Rock Dwelling Fungal Communities; A.A. Gorbushina, W.E. Krumbein. 23. Morphology as a Parameter for Diversity of Bacterial Population; M. Heldal. 24. Surviving E. coli in Good Shape, A. Zaritsky, et al. X: Astrobiology and Microbial Candidates for Extraterrestrial Life. 25. Introduction to Astrobiology: Origin, Evolution, Distribution and Destiny of Life in the Universe; J. Seckbach, et al. 26. Life in the Cold and Dry Limits: Earth, Mars and Beyond; Ch.P. McKay. 27. Terrestrial Microbes as Candidates for Survival on Mars and Europa; J. Chela-Flores. XI: Index. XII: List of Authors, their Affiliations and Pages of their Chapters.