Advanced biology week 1 assignment 1. Bacteria are prokaryotes because they are not living organisms; they are simply genetic information wrapped in a protein sheath and they cannot replicate without the help of a cell. 2. Coccus bacteria is bacteria have a spherical shape. In nature, these bacteria may exist as individuals cells or be grouped together.
Viruses are infectious agents, often highly host-specific, consisting of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat. Viruses are not alive, they cannot grow or multiply on their own and need to enter cell and take over the cell to help them multiply. Fungi – these are members of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeast and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. Fungi can be single-celled, multinucleated, or multicellular organisms. Although they are eukaryotes like plants and animals, the major difference is that fungal cells have cell walls that contain chitin, unlike the cell walls of plants, which contain cellulose.
Other fungi can cause illness. One example is Candida — a yeast that can cause infection. Candida can cause thrush — an infection of the mouth and throat — in infants and in people taking antibiotics or who have an impaired immune system. Fungi are also responsible for skin conditions such as athlete’s foot and ringworm. A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside another organism to the detriment of the host organism.
Purpose In this lab we are trying to get a broader understanding of the transformation of bacteria by exposing them to pBLU plasmids. Introduction Transformation is the manipulation of a bacterial cell's DNA in order to alter the cell's genotype or phenotype by absorbing free DNA from its surroundings. This can result in a nonpathogenic bacteria becoming pathogenic by absorbing the DNA of a broken open or dead pathogenic bacteria. In our case it is taking in the pBLU plasmid. A plasmid is a spherical self-replicating DNA molecule that is not actually a part of the bacterial cell but can integrate itself into the bacterial chromosome.
Not enclosed in a special nuclear membrane. Appear in several shapes; bacillus rod-like, coccus spherical or ovoid, spiral corkscrew or curved star-shaped or square. Individual bacteria may form pairs, chains, clusters, or other groupings; such formations are usually characteristic of a particular genus or species of bacteria. Bacteria grown in a given time in media are called a culture. A pure culture is often a clone, a population of cells from a single
Others exist in the environment as spores of moulds A parasite is an organism that lives on or in another organism, harming the host. 1.2 Identify common illnesses and infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites Bacteria Tuberculosis Urinary tract infections Viruses Influenza Herpes Chickenpox and shingles Fungi Ringworm Candida Parasites Malaria Tapeworms 1.3 Describe what is meant by ‘infection’ and ‘colonisation’ sometimes we can have a disease causing organism living on/in us but not be showing symptoms of illness this is known as colonisation. If the organism is making us ill this is infection. 1.4 Explain what is meant by ‘systemic infection’ and ‘localised infection’ A systemic infection is in the bloodstream and has spread or is spreading around the body. They normally spread through the bloodstream and most of the infectious diseases known to the general public are examples of systemic infections (AIDs, flu, tuberculosis) Localised infections remain in one part of the body and do not cause problems
All viruses have genes made from either DNA or RNA, long molecules that carry genetic information; all have a protein coat that protects these genes; and some have an envelope of fat that surrounds them when they are outside a cell. Fungi are diverse in terms of their shape, size & means of infecting humans. Fungi are eukaryotes, meaning that like parasites, their cells have a true nucleus and complex internal structures. They are most commonly found as environmentally resistant spores and molds, but can cause disease in humans in the forms of yeasts. Parasites are part of a large group of organisms called eukaryotes.
Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites Answer: Bacteria Bacteria are single-cell microorganisms which generally exist in large numbers and are microscopic in size. Bacteria can be either beneficial (bacteria in the intestinal tract aid digestion and are part of the normal body flora) or can be the cause of disease (for example pneumonia, food poisoning or bacterial meningitis). Viruses A virus is an infectious agent which can only live and replicate inside organism cells. The main difference between viruses and bacteria is that they are unable to reproduce in food – they need a living host cell to replicate. They replicate by infecting and taking over the functions of the host cell.
Unit 4222-265 Causes and spread of Infection. outcome1: Understand the causes of infections 1:1 Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Infections are the result of the body’s inability to fight off microorganisms that cause disease or infection: Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Bacteria are organisms that are found almost everywhere. They are found naturally in humans, as well as plants and animals.
Causes and spread of infection 1. Understand the causes of infection 1. Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites Bacteria is living things that are neither animals or plants but a group that belongs to themselves. Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganism, which is a single cell that doesn’t contain nucleus. Viruses are a small infectious agent that can multiply only inside living cells of organisms.