Books in Building Blocks of Life series

The amazing diversity of fungi, protists, and algae is, in many instances, difficult to detect with the naked eye. Readers will learn all about the internal structures, genetic material, biochemical processes, and taxonomy that define these varied, small yet complex eukaryotic organisms. This volume demonstrates the many important functions that fungi, protists, and algae serve in the natural world, as well as in the lives of humans through various foods, medicines, and biotechnologies.

Cells breathe, fuel chemical reactions, communicate with one another, and reproduce. The study of these minute factories in plants and animals has unraveled many mysteries of how organisms function and has provided a basis for the development of therapies to treat debilitating human diseases. This dynamic volume explains the structure, evolution, and intricacies of this versatile unit of life. Students will learn about the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the organelles that support a cell's functions, and the history of cell research from its discovery to current debates about the use of stem cells.

Bacteria and viruses are among the oldest agents on Earth and reveal much about the planet's past and evolution. As scientists and doctors make progress in fighting the harmful effects of bacteria and viruses, they also often make discoveries that can lead to life-saving vaccines and antibiotics, making the fields of microbiology and biochemistry more intriguing and challenging than ever. In this volume, readers will venture into the realm of bacteria and viruses to explore these constantly changing agents and the roles they play in nature, medicine, and disease.