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Botulism Virus

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Submitted By awall203
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Alexander J. Wallace
Anatomy & Physiology CP
Mr. Bernier
February 29, 2012

A Botched Vacation

Clostridium Botulinum is a rod-shaped breed of bacteria that produces several toxins that can damage or harm the human body. The bacteria grow most effectively in low oxygen conditions, which is why it can be commonly found in the earth’s soil. When Clostridium Botulinum grows they form spores, this act of homeostasis allows them to survive in a dormant state until they are transported to a more suitable condition for supporting the life of their species. The paralytic illness caused by the Clostridium Botulinum bacteria is called Botulism. [pic] Out of the 7 total types of Botulism, only 4 of them can cause an illness in humans. These types are type A, B, E, and sometimes F. Types C, D, and G can cause illness in another animals but especially birds because they hunt and feed close to the ground where the bacteria flourishes. A common way for humans to contract the illness is through canning their own vegetables. Trapping the bacteria in containers maintains the low-oxygen environment they need to stay alive, increasing the chance of them being ingested by any unfortunate human they are served to. Thanksgiving dinner is filled with vegetables, and if all of those vegetables were canned by Sarah’s grandmother that makes everyone eating at a huge risk of contracting the Botulism virus. For this reason combined with all of Sarah’s symptoms it is obvious that she has contracted Botulism or Food Poisoning. A person often develops the Botulism virus by ingesting the toxin but in rare cases it can be inhaled. The toxin that causes Botulism is actually considered to be one of the most lethal substances known to man. If left untreated, it only takes 1 nanogram of the stuff to kill a human being. Because of this fact, the use of the Botulism virus

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