Homework #1 Microbiology 1. Differentiate normal microbiota and infectious disease.

Microbial flora is harbored by normal, healthy individuals. A number of microorganisms have become adapted to a particular site or ecologic niche in or on their host. Some are normal residents that are regularly found, and if disturbed will rapidly reestablish themselves; others are transient microorganisms that may colonize the host for short periods but are unable to permanently colonize. The normal fetus is sterile, but during and after birth the infant is exposed to an increasing number of microorganisms. Subsequently, those organisms best adapted to survive and colonize particular sites establish themselves and become predominant. Physiologic factors such as the availability of nutrients, temperature, moisture, pH, oxidation-reduction potential, and resistance to local antibacterial substances play an important role in determining the ability of a microorganism to become established at a particular site. The normal indigenous microbial flora is exceedingly complex, consisting of many different species of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. The great majority of these commensal and symbiotic organisms are bacteria and fungi. The indigenous microorganisms play an important role by protecting the normal host from invasion by microorganisms with a greater potential for causing disease. They compete with the pathogens for essential nutrients and for receptors on host cells by producing bacteriocins and other inhibitory substances, making the environment inimical to colonization by pathogens. Infectious diseases, also known as communicable diseases, contagious diseases or transmissible diseases comprise clinically evident illness (i.e., characteristic medical signs and/or symptoms of disease) resulting from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic biological agents in an individual host organism. In certain cases, infectious diseases may be asymptomatic for much or all of their course. Infectious pathogens include some viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites, and aberrant proteins known as prions. These pathogens are the cause of disease epidemics, in the sense that without the pathogen, no infectious epidemic occurs.

2. Why are biofilms important? Biofilms can be beneficial. They protect our mucous membranes from harmful microbes, and biofilms in lakes are important food for aquatic animals. Biofilms can also be harmful. It is estimated that the majority of clinical infections exist as a biofilm rather than as planktonic cells. Biofilms commonly form on all types of implantable devices, including temporary implants (such asurinary and vascular catheters) and permanent implants (such as pacemakers and defibrillator devices). If left untreated, biofilm device infections can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, and may impair device function. Removal and/or replacement of devices is often the only treatment option, which can be very costly and also risky to the patient.

3. What factors contribute to the emergence of an infectious disease? Emerging infectious diseases can be defined as infections that have newly appeared in a population or have existed but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range. Among recent examples are HIV/AIDS, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Lyme disease, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (a foodborne infection caused by certain strains of Escherichia coli). Specific factors precipitating disease emergence can be identified in virtually all cases. These include ecological, environmental, or demographic factors that place people at increased contact with a previously unfamiliar microbe or its natural host or promote dissemination. These factors are increasing in prevalence; this increase, together with the ongoing evolution of viral and microbial variants and selection for drug resistance, suggests that infections will continue to emerge and probably increase and emphasizes the urgent need for effective surveillance and control. 4. Name two beneficial uses of bacteria. A bacterium breaks down the organic fertilizer (decomposed vegetables and animal matter) into material that can be used by plants. Bacteria is used as host for the production of recombinant proteins in rDNA tech. Some species of soil bacteria convert nitrogen into nitrites, compounds that are readily absorbed by plants. Different commercial processes also need certain bacteria, like Anaerobic bacteria that ferment certain substances are used in the production of vinegar and some drugs, and in the aging process of cheeses. Some bacteria also produce waste products that are beneficial to humans, like Lactic acid, it is produced by intestinal bacteria and can promotes digestion in humans. Bacteria are also grown commercially and it is added to certain foods like yogurt and drinks. Bacteria are also used to chemically break down the tough, woody tissues of flax, jute, hemp, and coconut. Bacteria are also being used in modern sewage disposal known as Bioremediation, it is a process by which bacteria are added to water or soil to convert toxic pollutants, such as pesticides and oil, into harmless substances.

5. Differentiate biotechnology from recombinant DNA technology.

Recombinant DNA technology is the manipulation and combination of DNA molecules from different sources. Recombinant DNA technology uses the techniques of sequencing, rejoining, amplifying, and locating DNA fragments, all of which use complementary base pairing of A with T (or U) and G with C. Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose. Modern use of similar terms includes genetic engineering as well as cell- and tissue culture technologies. The concept encompasses a wide range of procedures (and history) for modifying living organisms according to human purposes going back to domestication of animals, cultivation of plants, and "improvements" to these through breeding programs that employ artificial selection and hybridization. 6. Which groups of microbes are prokaryotes? Which are eukaryotes? Archae and Bacteria are prokaryotes. Fungi, protozoa, algae, and helminthes are eukaryotes. Viruses are acellular. 7. What are the three domains? Archaea Bacteria Eukarya