There is a wide range of organisms that have been identified to date. Many more continue to be identified every day. Microorganisms are the majority and populate the entire world both on earth and in the sea. The study of microorganisms is known as microbiology. There are number of benefits that have been contributed by this field. One of the things about microbiology one should know is that it is divided into several fields for ease of study. These include virology, bacteriology and parasitology.
Human being live with some organisms (bacteria, in particular) in what is described to be a symbiotic relationship. In this kind of relationship, the bacteria depend on humans for their survival and the humans derive some benefits from their presence in the body. The bacteria, which are found in many places of the body including the skin, the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary tract, are also known as normal flora. Their absence may give rise to disease.
The development of pharmaceutical products is virtually inseparable from microbiology. Before developing a disease that is caused by an infectious agent which may be a virus or bacterium, one needs to know the organism well. Knowledge of the life cycle is particularly useful to the developer. This is because interfering with the life cycle is key to interfering with reproduction and stopping the propagation of disease.
Vector borne infections are many and varied. They are caused by microorganisms that are mainly transmitted from one person to another by insects (also known as vectors). One needs to understand how such a microorganism exists both in the vector and the host (humans or other mammals). Some of the diseases that are transmitted in this manner include malaria, yellow fever and sleeping sickness among others.
The food and beverage industry is another area where the knowledge of microorganisms can be used beneficially. Fecal oral transmission of diseases is an issue of great public health concern. If we understand which organisms are likely to be contracted from food, we prepare ourselves better to deal with them. Yogurt processing requires that one understands the type of bacteria that exist. Lactobacillus is the most people in this regard.
With increased terrorist activities all over the world, some leaders have expressed their concern over the possible use of harmful microorganisms. Biological warfare has the potential to wipe out communities if mounted. Anthrax is one of the diseases that has caused panic in some parts of the world in recent years. The bacteria which can remain inactive for years is easily transmissible and causes death rapidly.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers have been a huge global problem in recent years. Ebola, particular, has been associated with numerous losses of lives and has affected many economies negatively. Bringing the recent outbreak under control presented a major challenge because the public did not understand how the disease it cause and transmitted. Fortunately after an aggressive public education campaign, the disease was contained.
If understand how organisms in our environment behave, we will be better placed to treat and prevent them. Since there are millions of such organisms that exist, more emphasis should be placed on those that are likely to affect us in a particular geographical area. Such information is available at public health departments, online sites and in public libraries.
Human being live with some organisms (bacteria, in particular) in what is described to be a symbiotic relationship. In this kind of relationship, the bacteria depend on humans for their survival and the humans derive some benefits from their presence in the body. The bacteria, which are found in many places of the body including the skin, the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary tract, are also known as normal flora. Their absence may give rise to disease.
The development of pharmaceutical products is virtually inseparable from microbiology. Before developing a disease that is caused by an infectious agent which may be a virus or bacterium, one needs to know the organism well. Knowledge of the life cycle is particularly useful to the developer. This is because interfering with the life cycle is key to interfering with reproduction and stopping the propagation of disease.
Vector borne infections are many and varied. They are caused by microorganisms that are mainly transmitted from one person to another by insects (also known as vectors). One needs to understand how such a microorganism exists both in the vector and the host (humans or other mammals). Some of the diseases that are transmitted in this manner include malaria, yellow fever and sleeping sickness among others.
The food and beverage industry is another area where the knowledge of microorganisms can be used beneficially. Fecal oral transmission of diseases is an issue of great public health concern. If we understand which organisms are likely to be contracted from food, we prepare ourselves better to deal with them. Yogurt processing requires that one understands the type of bacteria that exist. Lactobacillus is the most people in this regard.
With increased terrorist activities all over the world, some leaders have expressed their concern over the possible use of harmful microorganisms. Biological warfare has the potential to wipe out communities if mounted. Anthrax is one of the diseases that has caused panic in some parts of the world in recent years. The bacteria which can remain inactive for years is easily transmissible and causes death rapidly.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers have been a huge global problem in recent years. Ebola, particular, has been associated with numerous losses of lives and has affected many economies negatively. Bringing the recent outbreak under control presented a major challenge because the public did not understand how the disease it cause and transmitted. Fortunately after an aggressive public education campaign, the disease was contained.
If understand how organisms in our environment behave, we will be better placed to treat and prevent them. Since there are millions of such organisms that exist, more emphasis should be placed on those that are likely to affect us in a particular geographical area. Such information is available at public health departments, online sites and in public libraries.
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