Coming Soon to a Person Near You! Understanding Microbes and Disease By: Shirley Grimsley

Essential Question: How can science help us to understand the world around us?

Rationale Microbes are a part of our lives every day. Some of them are good for us, some of them are harmful, and some of them are deadly. We need to understand the role microbes play in our lives and how to prevent diseases that are associated with them.

Many microbes in our world cause sickness and disease in animals and plants. Entamoeba histolytica Streptococcus AIDS

Protists Entamoeba histolytica Causes dysentery, a severe form of amebiasis associated with stomach pain, bloody stools, and fever. Plasmodium, a one-celled parasite transmitted by a mosquito. Causes malaria, which causes flu-like symptoms and intestinal problems. Plasmodium attacking a red blood cell

Bacteria Streptococcus Bacterium Causes strep throat, a painful sore throat and fever. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Causes tuberculosis, a highly contagious respiratory disease.

Viruses Retroviridae - HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is a deadly disease that attacks the human immune system. Orthomyxoviridae – Influenza virus Causes the flu, which is a respiratory infection that often causes the infected person to have a fever, headache, and body aches.

How can you prevent the spread of diseases caused by microbes? Top 5 ways to help prevent the spread of disease: #5 - Use antibiotics correctly. #4 - Get immunized. #3 - Use care when preparing and handling food. #2 - Keep surfaces clean and disinfected. #1 - Wash your hands.

Resources: AIDS Pathology http://medstat.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/AIDS/AIDS001.html I obtained images of viruses from this site. The Big Picture Book of Viruses http://www.virology.net/Big_Virology/BVHomePage.html I obtained images of influenza virus and HIV. Flu – NIAID Fact Sheet http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/flu.htm I obtained information about influenza from this site. Handwashing – CDC – An Ounce of Prevention: Keeps the Germs Away http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/handwashing.htm I obtained the video on hand washing from this site.

Resources, continued Malaria Brochure http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/malaria/ Epidemic – The World of Infectious Diseases http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/epidemic/index.htm l Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute – Press Release on DNA of the tissue destroyer -Genome clues to Amoebic Dysentery http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Info/Press/2005/050223.shtml I obtained an image and content information about Etamoeba Hystolytica.