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DISCUSSION 1
In order to fully appreciate our current knowledge about the field of Microbiology, we must first know where we began: Before microbes were discovered, what did we think actually caused infectious diseases? Have we always understood the role that handwashing plays in disease prevention? Who were the first individuals to pave the way for aseptic practices (such as the sterilization of surgical tools) and what was life like before these practices began?
Our first discussion board for Unit I deals with identifying some of the major contributors to the development of the field of microbiology! Choose an individual from the list below and research the contribution that they made to advancing the field of microbiology (Note: I have included some key words beside each option so that you can pick the one that interests you the most).
In your discussion, make sure you clearly identify (1) what contribution(s) your chosen individual made to the field of microbiology and (2) how their contribution(s) changed the way we operate within the laboratory or medical environment today. Have fun with it – feel free to include any interesting information you find!
Option 1: Paul Ehrlich (choose Ehrlich if you are interested in chemotherapy, magic bullets, syphilis treatments, etc.)
DISCUSSION 2
Charley is having a bad week – she’s feeling awful and has had to call in sick to work two days in a row. She decides “enough is enough” and goes to her doctor’s office where she is informed that she has a bacterial infection and is prescribed a dose of antibiotics. A few days after taking the antibiotics, she starts to feel better. Butwhy? Why do we take antibiotics for bacterial infections? How do antibiotics work? And how exactly do antibiotics kill bacterial cells while leaving our own, human cells alone?
The answer to these questions lies in the cellular and structural differences that exist between bacterial (prokaryotic) and human (eukaryotic) cells. While these differences are highlighted in Chapters 3 & 4, we will refer back to this information throughout the remainder of the course – so it is important that we get a firm understanding of these differences now! Our second discussion board for this unit of information deals with identifying prokaryotic and eukaryotic differences and understanding how our knowledge of these differences can play important roles within the medical field, such as antibiotic development.
Choose a process/structure from the list below and research the way that bacterial and human cells differ in your chosen process/structure.
Option 1: Ribosomes/Protein Synthesis
Option 2: Cell wall
Option 3: Cell membrane
Option 4: DNA Synthesis
Option 5: RNA Synthesis
Option 6: Folic Acid Synthesis
In your discussion, make sure you (1) identify how bacterial (prokaryotic) and human (eukaryotic) cells differ in your chosen structure/process and (2) a clear explanation on why targeting this prokaryotic process/structure with an antibiotic within the body would not be toxic to human cells!
DISCUSSION 3
All microbes (with the exception of prions) have some genetic component to them – either a DNA or RNA genome that they can pass on to their offspring and that contain their gene sequences and, thus, encode their characteristics. The reason why microbes differ from one another in terms of what organisms they can infect, how deadly of a disease they can cause, and even what shape they are can all boil down to the genetic code contained within their genome. Thus, in order to appreciate how certain mutations can lead to effects like antibiotic resistance and ineffective vaccines, we need to have a solid understanding of the field of genetics. Our last discussion board for this unit will provide us with a more in-depth look at some of the particulars of genomes and their effects on an organism’s characteristics.
Below you will find different options of discussion board questions – for your initial post, choose one to answer in-detail.
Option 1 – Define a facultative gene and include a real-life human or microbial example of a facultative gene in your discussion (other than those highlighted in the lecture notes). Your discussion should include (1) the definition of a facultative gene and (2) the function of the gene’s encoded protein within the cell and why it makes sense, based on its function, that it is facultatively regulated
Option 2 – Define a constitutive gene and include a real-life human or microbial example of a constitutive gene in your discussion (other than those highlighted in the lecture notes). Your discussion should include (1) the definition of a constitutive gene and (2) the function of the gene’s encoded protein within the cell and why it makes sense, based on its function, that it is constitutively regulated
Option 3 – If a missense mutation occurred on a microbial genome, would we expect this mutation be helpful, harmful, or neither helpful nor harmful to the microorganism? Your discussion should include (1) the definition of a missense mutation and (2) a thorough explanation of potentially how a missense mutation could affect the protein function, phenotype, and overall health of the microbe!
Option 4 – If a silent mutation occurred on a microbial genome, would we expect this mutation be helpful, harmful, or neither helpful nor harmful to the microorganism? Your discussion should include (1) the definition of a silent mutation and (2) a thorough explanation of potentially how a silent mutation could affect the protein function, phenotype, and overall health of the microbe!
Option 5 – If a nonsense mutation occurred on a microbial genome, would we expect this mutation be helpful, harmful, or neither helpful nor harmful to the microorganism? Your discussion should include (1) the definition of a nonsense mutation and (2) a thorough explanation of potentially how a nonsense mutation could affect the protein function, phenotype, and overall health of the microbe!
Option 6 – If an insertion mutation occurred on a microbial genome, would we expect this mutation be helpful, harmful, or neither helpful nor harmful to the microorganism? Your discussion should include (1) the definition of an insertion mutation and (2) a thorough explanation of how an insertion mutation could potentially affect the protein function, phenotype, and overall health of the microbe!
Option 7 – If a deletion mutation occurred on a microbial genome, would we expect this mutation be helpful, harmful, or neither helpful nor harmful to the microorganism? Your discussion should include (1) the definition of a deletion mutation and (2) a thorough explanation of potentially how a deletion mutation could affect the protein function, phenotype, and overall health of the microbe!