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.
Most vector borne diseases have been cured and prevented by understanding how the causative organism lives and reproduces in the vector as well as in humans. Examples of diseases whose treatments have been developed using this knowledge include malaria, sleeping sickness and yellow fever just to mention but a few. Microbiologists are involved in testing of drugs to determine efficacy, potency and lethal doses among other aspects.
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.
Using microorganisms to start biological warfare is one of the potential dangers that exist. If such an attack is mounted, there is a probability of causing widespread disease and death. The fear has grown even more with the increase in activities of terrorist organizations. One of the organisms that was released in recent years is anthrax. This bacterium is associated with rapid deterioration and death of affected persons. It also spreads rapidly.
Other diseases that have the potential to cause loss of lives on a large scale are the viral hemorrhagic fevers. Ebola is one of such illness. It has resulted into many deaths mainly on the African continent and has dealt a huge blow to the economy for most of the affected countries. The extensive study of the illness helped to bring the outbreak under control and has also led to the development of a vaccine.
Understanding microbiology is central to disease prevention and treatment. It is important that each of us gets some knowledge on the microorganisms that are likely to cause disease in our setting if we are to prevent or cure such diseases. The information can easily be obtained from public health departments, online resources and even 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.
Most vector borne diseases have been cured and prevented by understanding how the causative organism lives and reproduces in the vector as well as in humans. Examples of diseases whose treatments have been developed using this knowledge include malaria, sleeping sickness and yellow fever just to mention but a few. Microbiologists are involved in testing of drugs to determine efficacy, potency and lethal doses among other aspects.
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.
Using microorganisms to start biological warfare is one of the potential dangers that exist. If such an attack is mounted, there is a probability of causing widespread disease and death. The fear has grown even more with the increase in activities of terrorist organizations. One of the organisms that was released in recent years is anthrax. This bacterium is associated with rapid deterioration and death of affected persons. It also spreads rapidly.
Other diseases that have the potential to cause loss of lives on a large scale are the viral hemorrhagic fevers. Ebola is one of such illness. It has resulted into many deaths mainly on the African continent and has dealt a huge blow to the economy for most of the affected countries. The extensive study of the illness helped to bring the outbreak under control and has also led to the development of a vaccine.
Understanding microbiology is central to disease prevention and treatment. It is important that each of us gets some knowledge on the microorganisms that are likely to cause disease in our setting if we are to prevent or cure such diseases. The information can easily be obtained from public health departments, online resources and even public libraries.
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