Almost 300 years ago a Dutch draper, Anthony Van Leeuwenhoek, looked at a dish of old rainwater through a strong magnifying glass. What he saw made history! Van Leeuwenhoek thought the objects were animals. But he was mistaken; he had discovered bacteria.

Bacteria are simple, one-celled plants. They are not like other plants. They have no roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or green coloring. These tiny plants have been called man's best friend and his worst enemy. The Junior Science Book of Bacteria explains the importance of these mocroorganisms.

Without the tiny bacteria, man would starve. Bacteria that live in the soil turn dead plants and animals into rich humus that provides food for new plants.

Most bacteria are helpful, although we usually think of the harmful bacteria called germs. They are responsible for diseases like measles, chicken pox, tuberculosis, and the common cold.

This book is an exploration into the fascinating, microscopic world of bacteria. Dr. Lietz tells the story of both the good and bad species with drama and scientific accuracy. 

From the dust jacket