Download How can you prevent the spread of diseases caused by microbes?

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Understanding Microbes
and Disease
By:
Essential Question:
How can science help us to
understand the world around us?
Rationale
Microbes are a part of our lives every day.
Some of them are good for us, some of them
are harmful, and some of them are deadly.
We need to understand the role microbes
play in our lives and how to prevent diseases
that are associated with them.
Many microbes in our world cause sickness
and disease in animals and plants.
Some
Microbes in
Our World
Entamoeba
Protists
histolytica
Streptococcus
Bacteria
AIDS
Virus
Protists
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
Entamoeba histolytica
Causes dysentery, a severe form of
amebiasis associated with stomach pain,
bloody stools, and fever.
•Plasmodium, a one-celled parasite
transmitted by a mosquito.
•Causes Malaria, which causes flu-like
symptoms and intestinal problems.
Plasmodium attacking a red blood cell
Bacteria

Streptococcus Bacterium
Causes the strep throat, a
painful sore throat and fever.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Causes Tuberculosis, a highly
contagious respiratory disease.

Viruses


Retroviridae - HIV (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus)
Causes Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome (AIDS), which is a deadly disease
that attacks the human immune system.


Orthomyxoviridae – Influenza Virus
Causes the flu, which is a respiratory
infection that often causes the infected
person to have a fever, headache, and body
aches.
How disease spreads!


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Pathogen- any microbe that causes disease
Infectious disease- a disease caused by a pathogen
Contagion- a pathogen that can be passed from one
organism to another
Non-infectious disease- a disease that cannot be
spread from organism to organism (may be genetic)
Mutagen- anything that causes changes (mutations)
in your DNA.
–
A virus can be a mutagen, because it inserts its own genes
into the host DNA.
Vector vs. Carrier


Vectors- an organism that helps spread a
disease, but is not infected with the disease
Carrier- an organism, usually a human, that
is infected with a disease and can transmit it,
but shows no symptoms.
How can you prevent the spread of
diseases caused by microbes?
Top 5 ways to help prevent the spread of disease:
#5 - Use antibiotics correctly.
#4 - Get immunized.
#3 - Use care when preparing and handling food.
#2 – Keep surfaces clean and disinfected.
And, #1 - Wash your hands.
Immunity

Types of Immunity–
Active Immunity- obtained by exposure to the
pathogen. (Having the disease or receiving a
vaccine).


–
Stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies
Antibodies are chemical substances that help destroy
pathogens
Passive Immunity- transferring antibodies made in
one organism to another organism.
Antimicrobials vs. Antibiotics

How are they different?
–
Antimicrobial products are designed to kill microbes before
they enter your body.

–

In soaps, cleaning products, children’s toys, caulks, and grouts
used around showers.
Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria or prevent their
reproduction internally (even those used to kill bacteria in
cuts and scrapes)
Concerns
–
Overuse of these products leads to development of resistant
forms of the various microbes.
Biotechnology and Medicine

What is biotechnology?
–

The use of living organisms or parts of organisms to
produce products used by people (medications and foods).
Examples:
–
–
Bacteria are used to produce large quantities of certain
drugs rapidly, because of their rapid reproduction ( insulin,
growth hormone, blood pressure medicines, interferon:
which treats influenza)
Viruses are used to make vaccines. They are also used to
transmit “piggyback vaccines” which treat genetic disorders
by inserting the DNA sequence that is missing by using a
harmless virus.
Biotechnology and Agriculture



Scientists are seeking ways to alter crops to
make them resistant to disease, herbicides,
and frost.
Food crops are manipulated to taste better
and provide better nutrition.
Scientists developed a type of tomato that
can stay on the vine longer to ripen without
rotting before going to market.
North Carolina and Biotechnology

Largest firm is the North Carolina
Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle
Park.
–
Provides economic benefits by creating jobs and
conducting research so farmers can increase crop
production.
Ethics and Biotechnology


Safety of genetically modified crops
Is it appropriate to alter genetic material of a
living thing?
Resources:

AIDS Pathology
http://medstat.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/AIDS/AIDS001.html
– I obtained images of viruses from this site.

The Big Picture Book of Viruses
http://www.virology.net/Big_Virology/BVHomePage.html
– I obtained images of influenza virus and HIV.

Flu – NIAID Fact Sheet
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/flu.htm
– I obtained information about influenze from this site.

Handwashing – CDC – An Ounce of Prevention: Keeps the Germs Away
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/handwashing.htm
– I obtained the video on hand washing from this site.
Resources, continued

Malaria Brochure
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/malaria/

Epidemic – The World of Infectious Diseases
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/epidemic/index.htm
l
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Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute – Press Release on DNA of the tissue destroyer Genome clues to Amoebic Dysentery
http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Info/Press/2005/050223.shtml
– I obtained an image and content information about Etamoeba Hystolytica.