...A. R. K Baker ENG 102 4 May 2012 Microorganisms at Work This topic is about how microorganisms continue to live in hospital rooms even after the rooms have been cleaned. The organisms that concern me are the multi resistant ones. It starts with a patient who is in isolation because of one of these bacteria’s and then discharged from the hospital after they are well. If these organisms are on the bedside table or the handrails the patient is already cured so it will not affect them. What about the patient coming in the room next? It is left to the housekeepers to clean the room well enough to prevent the spread of these infections. These infections that are spread from one patient to another are called nosocomial infections. They are hospital acquired bacteria’s. I came to this topic after my daughter had this exact thing happen to her. She is a brittle diabetic and at one point required a lot of hospital visits. After one of these visits she started to develop a boil. This in turn caused her blood sugar to go up and we ended up back in the hospital. Thinking the boil was a spider bite we were surprised to find out it was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). They explained that it was a nosocomial infection that was probably acquired on our last hospital visit. When asked how she got it they said it was multi resistant and was passed from something she came in contact with that another patient would have touched. This is a problem that has been on the...
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...‘Not only do Prokaryotes have a wide range of metabolic activities crucial for maintaining the biosphere, they also exert significant impacts on human life’ discuss this statement fully using named examples. Prokaryotes are unicellular microorganisms without a nucleus; they are divided into two groups’ Eubacteria and Archaebacteria. These microorganisms are very small and invisible and are known as the most dominant species on the earth’s biosphere as they are found almost everywhere on earth, they are predominately, found in our body’s immune system, and they are mainly responsible for the decomposition of dead matter which in return benefits both plants and animals. They are found in the air that we breathe, in the food that we eat, in deep seas, in cold and hot temperatures, sea corals, in salt water, fertile soils and in short, they are so diverse in their form of habitation and adaptation, as different types of bacteria adapt to different types of environments in different forms of life. However, bacteria are grouped according to their uniqueness, features, structure, functions, and contribution to human life. Prokaryotes are so beneficial to us because they act as defences to protect us from various diseases. The essay will examine the significant impact of prokaryotes to human life. The word bacteria may be frightening to most of us; in many cases it is often associated with many negative and harmful aspects such as infectious diseases, dental decay, mould and...
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...CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL REPORT ON CANDIDATES’ WORK IN THE CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE JANUARY 2008 HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY Copyright © 2008 Caribbean Examinations Council ® St Michael Barbados All rights reserved -2HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY GENERAL PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS JANUARY 2008 The 2008 examination was the third January sitting of Human and Social Biology offered at the General Proficiency level. The format of the examination was the same as in previous years. Paper 01 consisted of 60 Multiple Choice items. Paper 02 consisted of ten compulsory structured questions in Section A, each worth ten marks, and four essay questions in Section B, each worth 20 marks. Candidates were required to answer any two of the four essay questions. General Comments There was significant improvement in candidate performance in 2008. Seventy-seven per cent of the candidates achieved Grades I – III in 2008 compared with 47 per cent in 2007. This improvement was also reflected in the performance in both profiles, Profile 1, Knowledge and Comprehension, and Profile 2, Use of Knowledge. While performance on Paper 01, the Multiple Choice paper, declined slightly, analysis of the equating items reveals that except for two items, the profiles are parallel and at the same level in 2008 and in 2006 (the year with which the items were equated). Candidate performance on Paper 02 improved significantly. This may be attributed to at least two factors: 1. This is the third...
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...It is an indisputable fact that human beings have been responsible for naming everything, whether alive or dead, moving, static, plants, animals or microorganisms. For instance, : Sandra Cisneros, in her essay My name notes that a name can mean hope, many letters, sadness waiting (pg. 190) The naming in such cases has been as distinctly precise as none of the organisms named share the same names. In cases where they might share such names, there has always been a clear and precise way that conventionally applies in differentiating the two organisms. Under such situations, different methods are put into consideration. These methods of differentiation of names majorly depend upon the parental hierarchy of such organisms. Consequently, human beings also accord a lot of credit to the power of naming. However, the decision on which name to give to someone is not an easy task. People are named with regard to a number of factors. Some people may name their children after some renowned people. These people may be influential in the society or may have some adorable characteristics that the parents may want their children to adopt. Another factor that may define naming may be a remarkable or memorable occurrence. For instance: Lini S. Kadaba, in her essay, What‘s in a Name? Shows how Christopher Angelo Annas of South Philadelphia was named after his grandfather, Annas. The grandfather, initially named Papanastasiou but later changed the name to Annas on arrival to America. The grandchild...
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...Disease is defined as the state of physical or mental malfunctioning caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi which results in symptoms. Life style choice can also have a dramatic impact on the risk of disease in humans. The topics that are going to be discussed throughout this essay are: genetics factors (for example, haemophilia), cholera, the effects of thrombosis and emphysema on lung function. Furthermore, the effect of mutation in producing non-functional enzymes which can result in disease. Other types of disease related to genetics are not necessarily inherited, but are created due to the mutations of the DNA during replication. The change in the base sequence of DNA results in the change of the tertiary structure (the final 3D shape of an enzyme). This modifies the active site of an enzyme so that the complementary substrate can no longer bind; no enzyme- substrate complexes are formed. This results in a non-functional enzyme which disrupts essential chemical processes that take place in the body from occurring. For example, the production of the enzyme ATPsynthase is important for the condensation of ADP and Pi (inorganic phosphate) into ATP for processes such as active transport and respiration to take place. Furthermore, disease can often be sex linked (a gene that is carried on either the X or Y chromosome). Haemophilia is an example of a sex linked disease which is directly linked to the sex of the offspring. The X chromosome is much...
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...In this essay I will be analysing micro organisms and disease. Firstly I will be defining micro organisms and then explaining the key features of the main categories of microorganisms. Followed by the roles of commensals and pathogens I will then go on to explain how micro organisms are transmitted and the routes of entry to and exit from the human body of micro organisms. I will also be explaining the logical sequence of events that occur from entry of a micro-organism to the body to the appearance of symptoms of a disease and then go onto discuss why not all infections lead to a disease. Finally I will explain a logical sequence the signs, symptoms and treatments of yellow fever which is an infectious disease. Micro organisms are living organisms (such as bacteria, fungi, viruses) which are too small to even be seen with the naked eye but visible under a microscope also named microbe. There are five types of living micro organisms these are bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and algae. Microorganisms are widespread in nature and are beneficial to life, but some can cause serious harm. They can be divided into six major types: bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses. Bacteria are unicellular organisms. The cells are described as prokaryotic because they lack a nucleus. They exist in four major shapes: bacillus (rod shape), coccus (spherical shape), spirilla (spiral shape), and vibrio (curved shape). Most bacteria have a peptidoglycan cell wall they divide...
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...Controversy in Science Think of one area of controversy in science (e.g. GMO; race and intelligence; vaccination of babies etc.). 1. Describe the nature of the controversy. 2. Select a position/ point of view/ stance and 3. Give three (3) reasons for your stances/position There are many controversy topics within science the topic which I selected is Genetically modified organism (GMO’s), their advantages and disadvantages to the environment. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination (WHO 2015). GMOs GM foods are developed and marketed because there is some perceived advantage either to the producer or consumer of these foods. They are used mainly in the agriculture industry in the production of seeds resistant to pest and diseases and rearing of animals on specific diets. There are ethical issues concerning their use and production. No matter how crucial their uses are, the limitation of the knowledge of modern science as well as the possibility of unforeseen negative effects in the health and the environment are some of the issues being raised up against their use (Biology Online 2009.) I do not support the use of genetically modified organism due to the unknown effects to the environment (biotic and abiotic factors) due to limited research...
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...What Can We Do About Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria? Essay Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria is bacteria that has mutated and have become immune to antibiotics to treat them. In science terms Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of an antibiotic; this was said in an article called Antibiotic Resistance on Daily Science website. In all the scientific terms it is hard to understand exactly what all of this means, the simplest way to explain it is when antibiotics become ineffective it is due to natural selection evolving in random mutation. When antibiotics become ineffective to killing bacteria it becomes a problem, but how do we fix it and what are we going to do about it? What I have gotten out of the articles I have read. Scientists are studying all the possibilities and were of how to prevent genes from mutation so that we will not become immune to the antibiotics that we have to help heal the infections we typically encounter. There are a lot of studies going on, these are to develop a way to make sure that we do not meet a “superbug," meaning a disease or infection that we cannot fight off because out genes have mutated and we have no antibiotics or treatment. If we do not find a way to prevent our genes from mutating it could result in the extinction of the human race. So in order for that not to happen we either needs to find a way to prevent our genes from mutating or come up with antibiotics or treatments to fight these changes...
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...If you have ever drunk beers or eaten cheese, that means you have experienced the benefits of biotechnology. Biotechnology is the process of using living organisms to make products that benefit human such as wine and bread. It does not only benefit our daily foods, but our sciences and other aspects also. As a result, this essay will describe how other aspects benefit human, how the biotechnology was built and created many jobs for people. There are several different types of biotechnology that benefit human. First, microbial biotechnology is the process of using microorganisms to create better enzymes and organisms for many foods, vaccines, insulin, growth hormone, beer, wine, and possibly bioweapons. Second, agricultural biotechnology provides...
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...Anaerobic Digestion Submitted by: Submitted on: Overview This essay studies the present status of the technology in Anaerobic Digestion in US. In the first section the general process of anaerobic digestion is described. Anaerobic Digestion is basically the decomposition of organic wastes in the absence of oxygen. A brief appraisal is provided about the current position of Anaerobic Digestion in the US energy Production. Then in the next section, the technological challenges of the Anaerobic Digestion are considered. The example of the usage of Anaerobic Digestion technology is discussed and the benefits of this technology. Also the demerits of this technology for the production of biogas are examined. Finally the current improvement in anaerobic digestion technologies in US is analyzed. Introduction The Anaerobic Digestion is defined as the biodegradation of organic material that takes place in the absence of oxygen and in the presence of anaerobic microorganisms. The whole process proceeds in the series of metabolic reactions with the help of microorganisms. The organic material which is decomposed is generally the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). This is the waste produced by the society excluding agriculture and industrial wastes. So, the waste that comes under MSW is commercial waste like from shops, markets, stores, hotels or residential waste from houses or institutional waste from hospitals, schools. The process of anaerobic Digestion completes...
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...NAME : Siwanja Fungai C REG NUMBER : H1214427X COURSE : Biotechnology quality assurance and control LECTURER : Dr Musengi ASSSIGNMENT : One QUESTION: Write an essay on the importance of quality in the biotechnology industry {25}. According to ISO:900, quality is the degree to which a commodity meets the requirements of a customer at the start of its life. The product should provide total and continuous satisfaction to the consumer while the consumer is using it. For an organization to function, it needs customers. For this reason the organization must understand the expectations of the customer and be able to meet then and or even exceed them and thus the only time when inconsistence is welcomed. This means the quality of a product mostly benefit the customer since he or she is the focus at attention by everyone in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of the particular product (BS EN ISO 9000:2009). The implementation of quality in a biotechnological industry is very crucial because of the uniqueness of this industry as it manufactures its products using living organisms. Some of these products include biopharmaceutical product such as therapeutic proteins and drugs, medical biotechnology products like diagnostic and treatment tools and also food products like cheese, bread and wines, to name a few. These products have a profound effect on the quality of human life, thus there is need to deliver these products safe, efficient...
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...Diagnosis of an Infected Patient Infection is the invasion and growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body. A prokaryotic cell is a simple cell that does not have a nucleus. One of the most common types of prokaryotic cells is a bacterium. Bacteria are differentiated by many factors including shape, chemical composition, nutritional requirements, biochemical activities, and sources of energy (Tortora 76). A patient with an infection in the upper respiratory system will need to have a sputum sample sent to the lab for further evaluation to determine the cause in order to accurately treat the infection. While many microorganisms can be the cause of infection, this essay will focus on the following genera: Bacillus, Escherichia, and Mycoplasma as the cause of the patient’s infection. Bacillus is a rod-shaped, endospore-forming, facultatively anaerobic and gram-positive bacterium (Tortora G2). The gram stain is fundamental to identify the characteristics of bacteria as this process differentiates organisms according to the cell wall structure. Gram-positive cells have a thick cell wall layer and will stain blue to purple. The Gram stain process requires four steps which include applying a primary stain, usually crystal violet, to a heat-fixed smear, then adding a mordant, usually Iodine, followed by rapid decolorization with alcohol or acetone and finally counterstaining with safranin (Hussey). At...
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...here is a sense of mystery and excitement that swirls around in your mind when you think of the ancient pyramids, pharaohs, and the possibility of finding mountains of buried gold. That same excitement is coupled with the gloomy thought of be hexed with the “mummy’s curse” when you think of the day King Tutankhamen, “King Tut”, and his ancient tomb where uncovered November 26, 1922. In Ancient Egypt, pyramids were built from the Old Kingdom to the Middle Kingdom to house the bodies of their mummified queens and pharaohs; along with gold, food, and treasures. These tombs at times where plugged with large pieces of granite to block entry, disguised to throw off grave robbers, masked with secret passageways, and supposedly cursed to bring death to those who entered. King Tut’s tomb was believed to be cursed when its financer, Lord Carnarvon, died two months after the opening of the tomb, along with his dog howling to the moon and falling immediately dead right after.One claim on museum.org (1997-2012) says chief archeologist, Howard Carter, hid a tablet with the curse inscribed on it, while it also is recorded that the fatal curse "death will come on swift pinions to those who disturb the rest of the Pharaoh" (Dowdey, 2014) to be on the outside of tomb door – so it seems it is really up to the believer to formulate your own opinion on the curse, and where it began. All of the mystery and skepticism leads curious minds to attempt to find the truth, and “in 1999 a...
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...Microbiology Exam II Fall 2001 Name: _____________________________________________ Multiple Choice: Circle the most correct answer for each of the following questions. (2 points each) 1. In a DNA molecule, which base would you expect to find paired with cytosine? a. guanine b. uracil c. adenine d. thymine e. cytosine 2. DNA serves as the template to initiate protein synthesis. What is directly formed from this template? a. protein b. mRNA c. tRNA d. ATP e. Amino acids 3. What does ligase do during replication of DNA? a. Makes copies of mRNA from DNA b. Removes damaged sections of DNA c. Joins together mRNA d. Joins together DNA segments e. Digests mRNA when it is no longer needed 4. Which is mismatched? a. Replication = formation of 2 identical DNA molecules b. Transcription = mRNA synthesized from a DNA template c. Translation = tRNA transfers amino acids to the ribosomes based on mRNA codons d. Nonsense codons = terminator codons e. Anticodon = sequence of 3 nitrogenous bases on the gene 5. A red pigment produced by a bacterial species is an example of a(n)? a. Phenotype b. Genotype c. Operon d. Promoter e. Inducible enzyme 6. Which of the following best describes a plasmid? a. A gene within the...
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...Biofuels Environmental Sciences Essay Nowadays, as the problem of greenhouse gases emissions is getting more serious, Carbon-negative biofuels represent the first potentially huge assault on the problem, in ways that are already technically feasible and practicable (Mathews, 2008). Scientists are having their research on how to ease or solve these problems. The topic of biofuels is being more popular in the recent years because it has the most potential to be a significant source of energy. Biomass is providing a surprisingly large amount of the world’s energy – 10% of total global primary energy consumption (Energy Future Coalition, 2007). Advantages of biofuels Safety Biofuels are safe to handle and transport because they are biodegradable, much less toxic than even table salt (ten times), and have high flashpoints of about 300oF compared to gasoline and petroleum diesel fuel (diesel has a flash point of 125 F, for comparison) (Biodiesel Chemical Safety Data – Oxford University). Because of its safety, the number of incidence of severe vehicle fires can be reduced, and its safety making it to be one of the safest of all alternative fuels. Also, biofuels produce fewer by-products than conventional hydrocarbon based fuels after combustion or burning. The conventional hydrocarbon-based fuels will produced a greater output of some noxious by-product, for example, carbon monoxide. That means, biofuels could lead to less localized smog in urban centers (Charles et al). Energy...
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