Publisher's Synopsis
This book applies thermodynamics to the analysis of microbial growth and shows how it can be used for a precise analysis of the energetics of the growth process. It describes the development of theories on the energy changes that accompany microbial growth. Beginning with a review of the thermodynamic principles, the text approaches the description of microbial growth and energy changes historically and charts the progress from the fields' earliest beginnings to the present. Also provided is a useful perspective to theories about the evolution of life.
