Because it led to the development of penicillin, an enormously potent infection-fighting agent, this discovery changed the course of history. In the Image Gallery, you can see a blood cell or a pig nerve magnified as much as 4,000 times. Along the way you learn all about bacteria, how they live, what they eat, what they look like and how they reproduce. A brief index and glossary point you to Murray's explanations of technical terms. Then try your hand at determining if some microscopic images are animal, vegetable, or mineral.
Topics range from whether germs have germs to gram-negative bacteria.
Once microscopes were invented, a whole new world of microorganisms became available for scientists to study. Using the Internet to gather information, this lesson will provide historical information about early microscopes and will conclude with the class creating their own microscope. The stories of Anton Van Leeuwenhoek and Ignaz Semmelweis illustrate the struggles of early scientists as they explored the world of microorganisms. Bacteria and mold spores are grown in agar cultures to help students see the large number of microorganisms around us. Using the Internet, students will learn about helpful and harmful aspects of microorganisms.