The Impact of Microorganisms on Human Affairs Essay Example
The Impact of Microorganisms on Human Affairs Essay Example

The Impact of Microorganisms on Human Affairs Essay Example

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Microbiology is the study of microorganisms or microbes, which are tiny life forms that cannot be seen without magnification. These microorganisms are found everywhere and have a significant impact on the planet.

The discovery made by Englishman Robert Hooke in 1665 of "little boxes" or "cells" in a slice of cork through the microscope is considered one of the most significant in history. Hooke explained that these cells were the smallest structural unit of life, leading to the development of the cell theory which states that all living things are composed of cells (Tortora et al, 2010). This groundbreaking event initiated a series of experiments in order to further explore and understand these newly uncovered facts.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek made the first observation of live microbes through a microscope that he designed himself. He used rain water, his feces, and his te

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eth scrapings to observe the microbes. Initially, many believed that microorganisms could spontaneously generate from nonliving matter, like toads and mice. However, Louis Pasteur's discoveries in 1861 challenged this theory and confirmed the concept of biogenesis.

Pasteur resolved the issue by conducting experiments that showed microbes are in the air and can contaminate sterile solutions, but the air itself cannot generate microbes. In his experiments, he placed beef broth in multiple flasks, some of which were sealed after boiling while others remained open. The open flasks in the air accumulated microbes, whereas the sealed flasks did not. Pasteur subsequently conducted another experiment as a follow-up to his initial one.

The same concept was applied, but with a different setup by using a flask with a neck shaped like the letter S instead of a regular flask. This desig

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allowed air to pass through while trapping bacteria in the neck. After boiling and cooling the broth, no microbial growth was seen (Tortora et al, 2010). The source of disease was ultimately identified when Robert Koch made his discoveries in 1881. Through observations known as Koch's Postulates, he concluded that specific microbes cause specific diseases.

The discovery of how bacteria can cause diseases was made by studying animals to find Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium responsible for anthrax. Koch found this specific bacterium in the blood of a deceased cow that had contracted anthrax. He proceeded to extract and cultivate the bacteria from the cow, creating a pure culture. Subsequently, he introduced it into a healthy animal and monitored if similar symptoms developed. As expected, the animal became infected, allowing Koch to isolate the same organism from the newly affected animal.

According to Tortora et al. (2010), the identification of disease-causing microorganisms is still utilized. The experiments conducted by these scientists have significantly improved our understanding of an unknown field. To fully comprehend the impact of Microbes on human affairs, it is essential to be aware of the different classifications of microorganisms found in our world. Microbes can be categorized into six groups: Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi, Protozoa, Algae, and Viruses. Despite their distinctions, these categories all share the common attribute of being small in size.

There are two main categories in the biological kingdom: Eukaryotic and prokaryotic. These categories do not include viruses. Eukaryotic organisms, such as Fungi, Algae, and Protozoa, are composed of multiple cells with a nucleus and organelles surrounded by membranes. On the other hand, prokaryotic organisms like Bacteria and Archaea are single-celled without a nucleus

or membrane-bound organelles. Viruses cannot be classified into either group because they lack cellular structure.

Microbes play a critical role globally, possessing distinct features such as ubiquity, dominance, diversity, and being free-living organisms. The field of microbiology has made significant advancements in understanding the importance of microbes since scientists like Pasteur and Koch conducted experiments. From 1857 to 1914, known as "The Golden Age of Microbiology," notable progress was made, including the creation of vaccines for diseases, fermentation techniques, and pasteurization methods. This era remains one of the most influential sciences that is constantly evolving.

Studies have indicated that microorganisms are responsible for many diseases worldwide. We come into contact with and harbor a wide range of microbes throughout our lives, both externally and internally. These microbes, referred to as normal microbiota or normal flora, provide us with several advantages. They aid in the prevention of regular illnesses and even generate essential substances such as Vitamin K and folic acid. Nevertheless, if these microbiota migrate to different areas of the body or new environments, they can pose a threat.

There are certain microbes within the body that can cause diseases and are different from the normal flora. One example of such a microorganism is Escherichia coli, which is commonly found in the colon. However, when this bacterium enters an unfamiliar environment like the stomach through ingestion, it can be harmful. Some strains of E. coli have the ability to cause food poisoning, resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, dehydration, and discomfort.

Recent research has revealed that certain diseases previously thought to be noninfectious may actually involve microbial infections, such as the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This specific bacterium is both

widespread and pathogenic, affecting around half of the global population. It is responsible for causing gastric ulcers in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Individuals with weakened immune systems, including those who are immunocompromised, are at a higher risk of contracting various infections, particularly respiratory illnesses like pneumonia. Their compromised immune systems make them more susceptible to numerous diseases. There are multiple ways through which these bacteria can be transmitted to a host and initiate an infection.

The transmission of disease can occur through three primary routes: contact, vehicles, and vectors. Among these routes, contact is the most commonly observed method. Contact can be categorized into three types: direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet transmission. Direct contact, also known as person-to-person transmission, involves physical touch or kissing. Diseases like the common cold, staphylococcal infections, hepatitis A, and other infections can be transmitted through direct contact.

Pathogens can be transmitted through indirect contact, which involves the use of inanimate objects called fomites. Examples of fomites include drinking bottles and eating utensils.

Droplet transmission occurs when microorganisms are spread through mucus droplets, usually from coughing or sneezing.

Vehicle transmission refers to the transmission of diseases through mediums such as water, food, or air.

Infections that are transmitted through water commonly occur due to insufficiently filtered water systems or sewage systems.

Waterborne diseases, including cholera, waterborne shigellosis, and leptospirosis, can be transmitted through water. Foodborne transmission occurs when diseases spread via undercooked meat or poorly refrigerated food. Airborne diseases are typically spread through droplets or dust particles in the air. Although air filters have improved to prevent airborne transmission, some pathogens can still pass through them (Tortora et al., 2010).

Vector transmission is the most effective method

of transmitting pathogens, involving the use of insects or other sources to reproduce them before infecting the host. Ticks and mosquitos are common carriers of diseases transmitted through vectors, such as West Nile Virus and its associated condition called West Nile encephalitis, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.

If you want to learn more about Lyme disease, a disease that is frequently spread by ticks, please click on this link or this link.

The cause of transmission can lead to either emerging infectious diseases or re-emerging infectious diseases. An emerging infectious disease refers to a new or increasing disease, while a re-emerging infectious disease is a known illness that suddenly reappears. The West Nile Virus is an example of an emerging infectious disease. This virus typically originates from changes in the existing organism when it is introduced to a new geographic area or populations. As mentioned earlier, mosquitos transmit the West Nile Virus and it spreads between birds as well as to horses and humans.

The West Nile Virus causes inflammation in the brain, resulting in flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, and body aches. Another re-emerging disease is tuberculosis (TB), which is a bacterial infection that can affect different parts of the body like the lungs, brain, kidneys, or spine.

TB, or tuberculosis, is a communicable illness caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium. It has two forms: primary TB and secondary TB. Primary TB occurs when a person first encounters the bacterium, while secondary TB is a reinfection in someone who was previously infected.
TB can be easily transmitted through inhaling air droplets that contain the tubercle bacillus, usually through coughing or sneezing. It should be

emphasized that many individuals with primary TB do not show any symptoms or signs of the disease.

Progressive primary TB affects around 5% of people who get a new infection. It causes ongoing damage to lung tissue and can spread throughout different parts of the lungs. This bacterium is frequently found in individuals with HIV or AIDS, as well as other immunodeficiency disorders that weaken their immune system's ability to fight the bacteria effectively.

Progressive diseases often present with vague symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, fever, and night sweats. Consequently, individuals may not promptly recognize their condition (Porth, 2011). Secondary TB primarily affects older adults and infants who have weakened immune systems. This form of disease is typically more severe and mainly affects the upper lung lobes http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm.

The CDC states that the TB test or PPD is a method of testing for tuberculosis. It is important to note that a positive result does not necessarily mean an active infection, but rather indicates exposure to TB.

Although not all people who contract TB get sick, some individuals develop latent TB infection, where the bacteria can live in the body without causing symptoms. This happens when the person's immune system successfully fights bacterial growth and prevents transmission of the infection. However, if the immune system fails to suppress the bacteria, it will multiply and lead to contagious TB disease that can be spread to others.

Although rare, some individuals with latent TB may not develop TB disease and can remain unaffected for years. Living in crowded or unsanitary conditions increases the risk of contracting the disease as there is a higher chance of inhaling air droplets from others. It

is important to note that casual contact like shaking hands or sharing drinks does not transmit TB.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, there were 10,521 reported cases of TB in the United States in 2011. However, there has been a significant decrease since 2010, reaching the lowest recorded rate since reporting began in 1953.

Although the overall number of TB cases in the United States has decreased, there has been an increase in outbreaks specifically within homeless shelters. In January 2010, an outbreak occurred at an Illinois shelter where three overnight guests were diagnosed with TB disease. Between 2007 and September 2011, a total of 28 shelter guests were diagnosed with TB disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Currently, these patients are undergoing supervised treatment to prevent recurrence of the disease. This treatment involves receiving 12 once-weekly doses of isoniazid and rifapentine. Despite progress made towards eliminating TB in the United States, these cases highlight the ongoing need for efforts to control the disease.

In April 2007, a man aged 55 was diagnosed with TB disease in Kane County, Illinois. He often stayed at the Kane County Facility homeless shelter as an overnight guest. Two additional cases of guests testing positive for TB disease occurred in October 2009 and January 2010. Typically, these guests would stay at the shelter for approximately two weeks.

Public health officials were alarmed and conducting an inquiry into a possible outbreak. In March 2010, three additional cases were scrutinized, indicating that overnight shelter guests were affected. Consequently, the public health officials sought on-site epidemiologic aid from CDC. Throughout May 2010 to June 2011, CDC conducted four widespread screenings

at the shelter. As a result of the investigation, 386 individuals with TB were identified by public health officials, revealing an additional six cases (2%).

This issue has become a continuous concern as the health department has been discovering around 10 tuberculosis (TB) cases each year. In September 2011, the CDC was asked to conduct additional mass screenings. The rest of the cases were identified during examinations for symptoms related to TB. The estimation was conducted following the guidelines provided by the CDC in the Recommendations From the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC for investigating contacts of individuals with infectious tuberculosis.

An estimate for one pediatric patient and two patients with extrapulmonary disease but without pulmonary disease was not available. † The length of stay could not be calculated for six patients. This includes two patients who were missing both admission and discharge dates, and four patients who were missing discharge dates only. The pediatric patient received outpatient treatment. §§ Additionally, the pediatric patient did not require housing support from the health department.

The transmission of disease can be influenced by several factors, including population density, urbanization, technological advances, ecological disturbances, microbial evolution and adaptation, human behavior and attitude, and food production as well as dietary habits. Some countries have a high percentage of elderly individuals with weaker immune systems who are more susceptible to microbial diseases. In countries with poor nutrition, children may lack proper immunizations and therefore become more vulnerable to common childhood illnesses. Urbanization plays a role in disease transmission as people migrate to cities for better opportunities and higher income. This leads to increased population density and an elevated risk of disease transmission.

Ecological disturbances such as the New Orleans flood can also contribute significantly to disease transmission by creating contaminated water sources that cause diseases like hepatitis A and influenza (Floods and Disease).

The text emphasizes the importance of understanding both the negative and positive effects of microbes. While the previous section discussed how microbes cause diseases, it now shifts the focus to the benefits they bring to the world. Recent studies have recognized the significant relationship between humans and microbes. One noteworthy aspect is the assistance bacteria provide to humans in defense mechanisms and digestion. As previously mentioned, humans naturally harbor different types of bacteria in their bodies, referred to as normal microbiota. E. coli stands out as the most familiar example of such bacteria.

This bacterium, known as lactobacilli, serves a crucial role in the production of vitamin K. Additionally, it competes for resources, which hinders the growth of other bacterial colonies (Tortora et al, 2010). As soon as a baby is born, the establishment of normal flora begins. This process involves the rapid replication of lactobacilli in the mother's vagina just before birth. Consequently, when the baby is delivered, it is exposed to these lactobacilli and they quickly become the dominant bacteria in their intestine. Once the baby starts eating solid food, E. coli is also introduced into the intestine and remains there for life.

There are numerous other microorganisms that are a part of humans and have an impact on everyday lives. According to Tortora et al (2010, pg 400), a typical human body contains 1 X 1013 body cells but houses an estimated 1 X 1014 bacterial cells, which is ten times more bacterial cells

than human cells. This demonstrates the significant presence of microbes in the human body. Additionally, microbes not only benefit humans but also play a crucial role in benefiting the world in various ways. In fact, microbes act as producers in the ecosystem, with algae and certain bacteria using photosynthesis to harness the sun's energy and produce food.

Microbes play a crucial role in the earth’s photosynthesis, contributing over 50% and generating the majority of atmospheric oxygen. Another significant contribution of microbes in the field of industrial microbiology is vaccination. The discovery of vaccines dates back to 1796 when Edward Jenner utilized cowpox, a milder form of smallpox, to prevent the growth of smallpox. Although cowpox may cause minor symptoms in the host, it effectively protects them from contracting smallpox.

At the time, this was called a vaccine. Nowadays, the immune system has memory cells that monitor infections in the body. This allows the body to fight off a secondary infection. The body cells can recognize specific antigens on the surface of bacteria. This recognition stimulates the production of specific antibodies against the bacteria. Vaccines nowadays are made with dead or weakened strains of the actual disease causing organism. This makes it easier for the body to produce specific antibodies and memory cells without the risk of infection (Tortora et al, 2010).

Vaccinations are widely administered in the United States, with the majority of newborns and children receiving vaccines for diseases like chickenpox, Hepatitis B, and Tetanus. Additionally, microbes play a valuable role in bioremediation, which involves the use of microbes to eliminate pollutants and toxic wastes generated by industrial activities.

Bioremediation, discovered in 1988, is utilized in society

on a daily basis for the extraction of toxins from underground walls, chemical spills, or toxic waste sites. Pseudomonas and Bacillus are commonly employed bacteria for bioremediation purposes. Another bacterium, Zoogloea, also contributes to this process by aiding in the oxidation of sewage matter into carbon dioxide and water, making it significant in sewage treatment.

They also cause bacteria containing masses in the aeration tanks called sludge granules. Some insects can cause widespread diseases and significant damage to agriculture. However, insect pest control can provide a solution to this problem. In the United States, the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis has been utilized to control pests like bollworms or cabbageworms. To achieve this, B. thuringiensis is processed into powder form, combined with water, and then applied to crops. This application aims to prevent the use of insecticides and enhance crop resistance against insects.

This will enable farmers to cultivate thriving crops while simultaneously benefiting the environment. Additionally, microorganisms play a crucial role in our daily diet by contributing to the production of dairy products like milk and cheese, as well as alcoholic beverages. The discovery of this connection occurred when a group of French merchants challenged Pasteur to investigate the souring of wine and beer. While many scientists believed that air caused the conversion of sugars into alcohol, Pasteur demonstrated that yeast was the microorganism responsible for this transformation. This biological process is known as fermentation.

This process is used to produce beer and wine. Pasteur also investigated the cause of spoilage and determined that it was due to bacteria. His solution was to apply heat to the beer and wine in order to eliminate the majority of the

bacteria responsible for spoilage.

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