The first edition of Microbial Physiology achieved sales in excess of 5, 700 copies and earned the reputation of being the most up-to-date and concise introduction to the physiology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. This new edition maintains that reputation. Written primarily for undergraduate students in microbiology, the text offers a detailed description of the basic areas of microbial structure and metabolism and also covers the dynamic aspects of growth, control and development of microorganisms. There have been significant advances in the understanding of the eukaryotic genome and this new edition takes into account the implications of this for the biochemistry of morphogenesis in the microbial life cycle. Coverage of the new developments is supported by the addition of many new illustrations.