Partnership for Environmental Education and Rural Health (PEER) Supported by the National Institutes of Health ORIP
* Definition: A microbe is a microscopic, single-celled organism. * Also called “germs” or “bugs” * They are on every surface
* Bacteria (Mainly) * Molds (Fungi) * Viruses
Colorful!Colorful!
BACTERIUM VIRUS
* Bacteria are single celled organisms * They feed on organic matter * They can survive for a long time and even grow on many surfaces * What surfaces? Walls, floors, plants animals, clothes * How about body surfaces? Bacteria on a Human Tongue (seen in a colored scanning electron micrograph)
* …….but they are also essential if we are to survive!!!
* Within us are: * Ten thousand bacterial species * Bacterial cells outnumber our own cells 10 to 1. * They weigh about 3 pounds – the same as our brain!
* The skin * The respiratory tract * The intestine * ALL OF THESE SURFACES ARE INHABITED BY SPECIALIZED BACTERIAL POPULATIONS!
* Several hundred different bacterial species live there permanently * They differ between different skin sites * They cause your sweat or your feet to smell * Washing does not remove them * They protect you against other invaders * They do not invade your body (until you die!)
* Washing only removes the most superficial bacteria. * Many bacteria live deep in your skin where they cannot be reached. * That is why surgeons wear gloves in addition to washing their hands. * Hand washes do not completely sterilize your skin
* Infection OUCH!!
* Washing * Sunbathing * Disinfectants Bacteria can penetrate and live In the upper layers of the skin as well as your sweat glands I like sunbathing!
* Contains many billions of bacteria * There are more bacteria in your intestine than cells in your body * They help digest some foods * They provide some essential vitamins * They keep your defenses in tip-top condition * They control your weight * They influence the development of some diseases
Small Intestine (Ileum) entering large intestine Small Intestine-Duodenum Large Intestine
* They constantly stimulate the immune system. * They are needed for its proper development. * In effect there is a constant conversation between your intestinal bacteria and your immune system. * When an animal dies the intestinal bacteria are free to invade the body!
* Allergies and the hygiene hypothesis * Why do we have an “allergy epidemic”? * Because we are “too clean” * Some intestinal bacteria suppress allergies * Living on a farm reduces allergy problems
* Antibiotics get rid of disease-causing germs – but cause collateral damage! * Antibiotics can change the microflora so that obesity results * Antibiotics can change our gut flora so that allergies develop. * By age 18, the average American child will have received courses of antibiotic treatment.
* The intestinal bacteria of fat people are different from those in skinny people! * Are the bacteria in obese people “more efficient” than those in skinny people? * “Cause or effect”
* Arthritis * Heart Disease * Tuberculosis * Other intestinal diseases * Diarrhea Birds get arthritis, too!
* Probiotics are live bacteria that can colonize our intestines and promote health. * Yoghurt containing live Lactobacillus is a great example of a probiotic. * The dose of bacteria eaten determine whether their effect is long or short.
* Saliva has natural bacterial defenses * Teeth hygiene gets rid of bad germs
* Tooth decay * Systemic infection We’re glad we don’t have teeth!
* Lots of bacteria up your nose * Quite a few in your lungs as well * Maybe cause disease in some people * Chronic coughing or sneezing He should cover his mouth when he coughs!
A natural defense mechanism to remove foreign material including mucus from your airways.
We are covered with bacteria. They have the potential to do harm or good. We should consider ourselves to be, not isolated individuals but mixed colonies of creatures.
Our bodies together with our associated bacteria working together for the common good