How Bacteria can affect humans and other living organisms
How bacteria can affect the lives of humans and other organisms
Bacteria can enter the body in 3 different ways. Through the gas exchange system, by breathing in pathogens, most are trapped in the mucus lining in the lung epithelium. There are also cilia that move the mucus up the trachea and into the mouth where it is removed. However some bacteria is still able to reach the alveoli where they invade cells and cause damage. Another way it can enter the body is through the skin, if the skin is broken, bacteria on the surface can enter the blood stream. A scab is formed to stop pathogens from entering, however some may enter before. The final way of entering the body is through the digestive system, by eating food that contains pathogens most are killed by the acidic conditions in the stomach. However some may survive and pass on into the intestines where they invade the cells of the gut wall and will cause disease.
Bacteria releases toxins into the body. An example of this is Bacterium Clostridium botulinum, this causes Botulism, which causes paralysis, This is caused by a toxin which is produced by the bacteria. The bacteria stops nerve impulses being transmitted along the neurones which in turn causing paralysis of the muscles.
Cholera is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio Cholerae which is a prokaryotic organism. It infects the small intestine and produces a toxin that disrupts osmosis in the intestinal cells. This results in vomiting and diarrhoea. This is spread through contaminated food and water and is very common in developing countries as they have very poor sanitation and is affected by overcrowding. If cholera is left untreated it results in severe dehydration and even death. The cholera toxin causes chloride ion protein channels in the plasma membranes of the small intestine epithelial cells to open. Causing chloride ions to move into the lumen. The build up of chloride ions lowers the water potential in the lumen. Water then moves out of the
Bacteria can enter the body in 3 different ways. Through the gas exchange system, by breathing in pathogens, most are trapped in the mucus lining in the lung epithelium. There are also cilia that move the mucus up the trachea and into the mouth where it is removed. However some bacteria is still able to reach the alveoli where they invade cells and cause damage. Another way it can enter the body is through the skin, if the skin is broken, bacteria on the surface can enter the blood stream. A scab is formed to stop pathogens from entering, however some may enter before. The final way of entering the body is through the digestive system, by eating food that contains pathogens most are killed by the acidic conditions in the stomach. However some may survive and pass on into the intestines where they invade the cells of the gut wall and will cause disease.
Bacteria releases toxins into the body. An example of this is Bacterium Clostridium botulinum, this causes Botulism, which causes paralysis, This is caused by a toxin which is produced by the bacteria. The bacteria stops nerve impulses being transmitted along the neurones which in turn causing paralysis of the muscles.
Cholera is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio Cholerae which is a prokaryotic organism. It infects the small intestine and produces a toxin that disrupts osmosis in the intestinal cells. This results in vomiting and diarrhoea. This is spread through contaminated food and water and is very common in developing countries as they have very poor sanitation and is affected by overcrowding. If cholera is left untreated it results in severe dehydration and even death. The cholera toxin causes chloride ion protein channels in the plasma membranes of the small intestine epithelial cells to open. Causing chloride ions to move into the lumen. The build up of chloride ions lowers the water potential in the lumen. Water then moves out of the