A class of their own

Uses detailed descriptions and color photographs and illustrations to examine protists such as algae, amoebas, and slime molds and their roles in various diseases. Includes case studies and side-bars.

Describes the main groups of plants and their role in the world. Includes up-close color photographs and side-bars.

Examines the four major groups of fungi -- yeasts, toadstools, chytrids, and bread molds. Highlights key characteristics of fungi, such as spore production, fungi's need to feed, and their use of long, branching cells known as hyphae to absorb nutrients from the environment. Includes case histories involving fungi, such as penicillin and the fight against disease, and genetically modified (GM) products in food technology. Includes color photographs, a glossary, and sources of further information.

Defines what bacteria are, their classification, and the difference between good and bad bacteria. Provides information about reproduction, genetic engineering, and biological warfare and discusses diseases that are caused by bacteria, how it is transmitted, and the effectiveness of vaccine against disease. Includes color photographs, a glossary, and an index.

Examines the three main divisions into which members of the diverse Archaea kingdom are grouped according to their unusual biology. Explains why little in general is known about them, and why further classification of Archaea is so difficult.

Describes the different animal species organized by their phyla, class, and features. Includes case histories and color photographs and illustrations.

An introduction to the fungi kingdom that discusses how the organisms within it are classified and describes their interactions with other life-forms.

A discussion of bacteria, one of the six major classifications of living organisms, examining the biology of bacteria, and describing rod-shaped, round, curved, and mycobacteria varieties.