Reflecting on what you eat.

     In a previous blog, I stated that I was doing an experiment to find what bacteria is present when consuming meat and if it would be present in rare or well-down meat.  Well, I can conclude that there is bacteria present in rare and well-down meat.  However, the only difference is that the quantity of meat present is fewer.  There are many different types of bacteria that could be present, but the one we discovered was Variovorax paradoxus.  What exactly is this bacterium?  It is found in plants around the environment and it helps in biodegradability.  On the other hand, what exactly does it do in the body is unknown.  In conclusion, meat should be consumed well-done and never under cooked according to the USDA.

Sterilization

I assume that many people know of the many ways there are to "clean" things, but do they really know what exactly it is they are doing?  Here, I will be briefly discussing 3 ways that are used the most to clean things and what exactly they do.  First of all, I believe that you have heard of sanitize, but do you know what it does?  This basically cleans and disinfects.  For example, when you use sanitizer to clean your hands after using the bathroom.  Second, there is sterilization.  This basically kills all living bacteria.  Last, there is pasteurization.  This process is used as a heating process that kills pathogens.  This is of most importance to humans because it basically cleanses the food you eat.

How much bacteria can exist on raw beef

     During our microbiology class, my lab partner and I are investigating how much bacteria is present in raw meat before being cooked.  At first, we thought our experiment would yield a bit of bacteria because it is present, but after we placed our bacteria on an agar plate to further grow.  To our surprise it grew a substantial amount.  From that strain we did a subcultural and from that strain we did a gram stain.  However, what we saw was something that we were not expecting.  From our strain we found Gram + and Gram -,  but this was inconclusive.  In conclusion, we did another sample and from there we will try to distinguish what bacteria is present.

The Ideal Disinfectant

     Have you ever wondered what makes disinfectants so good or if you could create your own disinfectant how would it be?  Well there are many things that you would want your disinfectant to do.  For example, depending on where you will be using the product, you would want it to be user-friendly and non-corrosive.  Also, you would want it to be non-toxic to the environment, humans, and pets.  On the other hand, you would want it to kill all bacteria and pathogens on many different surfaces.  However, the best part of your disinfectant would be for it be fast-acting, inexpensive, and having a long-shelf life.  Finally, if you ever plan on making your own disinfectant, make sure to keep these things in life.

Investigation of H1N1

     During spring break, I was watching the news and heard that some scientists were trying to discover a new way of detecting the virus before its to late.  These immunologist - experts in the body's immune system, work in well secured bio-hazard labs in Emory University.   They have found a new, faster way to detect specific strains of H1N1.  From just a small amount of infected blood, scientists use a cell sorting system to produce a highly targeted protein called monoclonal antibodies.  "These antibodies can be used for multiple things." Jens Wrammert, Ph.D., an immunologist at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., told Ivanhoe. "They can be used for diagnostic purposes and, ultimately, of course, they can be used for treatment of patients."  I believe it is good that they are looking for a new way to detect the virus and hopefully come up with a better solution than having to get a shot because many people just don't want to get it.  

Naegleria fowleri A startling investigation

     While doing an assignment today on a protozoa called Naegleria fowleri i learned that you can catch this fatal disease while swimming in lakes, rivers, and in hot springs.  I remember this one time watching this show called Monsters inside me on Animal Planet, about a boy who went swimming in a near by lake in Florida and a few days later he ended up in the hospital and eventually died.  However, I don't recall if the disease he got was from this microorganism, but it is scary to think that you can't even enjoy a swim without worrying about protozoan sneaking into your nose.  On another note, while reading about N. fowleri it got me thinking, all the times that I got sick from going to the lake back home in New Jersey, could it have been this.  However, I doubt it was because I'm still here and not 6 feet underground.

microorganisms are they helpful or harmful?

     Microorganisms, tiny microscopic germs that we cannot see, but know that they are around everywhere.  They can be outside in our environment or even in our own body.  However, are these bacterium helpful to us or are they there waiting for a chance to harm us?  Many bacteria, for example, some bacteria and yeast are used to help ferment certain types of food.  The five processes in the nitrogen cycle, which include fixation, uptake, mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification are all driven by microorganisms.  In fact, many other bacteria are used to help make medicine that help cure us from many different infections.  On the other hand, there are some bacteria that are not so helpful.  These bacteria are known as pathogens and they can be so harmful that we can die from them.  In conclusion, microorganisms can be either beneficial or harmful and we should take precautions on how to prevent any disease.