LBHS Yr 12 Biology Assessment Task

The Search for Better Health

By Tyrone Westwood

PART A

1. Who were Pasteur and Koch? Describe their contribution to our understanding of
infectious diseases.

Louis Pasteur, the  French  chemist  and  microbiologist  was born

in  Dole. He is responsible for the breakthroughs in the causes
and preventions of diseases as well as creating the
first  vaccine  for  rabies and  anthrax. His experiments supported
the  germ theory of disease, which disproves the theory of
spontaneous generation. The germ theory of disease is
a  theory  that proposes that  microorganisms  are the cause of
many  diseases.  He is now more commonly known for inventing
the process called  pasteurization.

Robert Koch was a Prussian  physician born in Clausthal. He

became famous for isolating  ‘Bacillus anthracis’, the
‘Tuberculosis bacillus’ and the  ‘Vibrio cholerae’  and for his
development and findings of Koch's postulates (series of
steps to identify micro-organisms for a particular disease).

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The work of both Pasteur & Koch significantly influenced the scientific study of micro-organisms &
control procedures throughout the years.

2. Distinguish between the following. Use at least two examples for each in your
explanation:

Prions - A  prion    is an  infectious agent  composed of  protein  in

a  misfolded  form. Prions can alter other proteins and they do not
contain DNA or RNA. These prions attack brain and nerve cells of
mammals where they can be infectious as well as hereditary

Viruses – Viruses consist of nucleic acid (DNA &

RNA) which is surrounded by a protein coat. They
are technically unloving, although they have a
genetic code and can replicate only inside the
living cells of organisms. Viruses are unseen to the
human naked eye.

Bacteria - Bacteria  are a large  area  of single-

celled,  prokaryote  (no nucleus) micro-organisms which
have no internal membrane. Some are parasitic where as
others have helpful affects. Bacteria can be caused by
secreting toxins and forming colonies which disrupt the
cell function.

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 Protozoans - Protozoans are a diverse group
of single-cell  eukaryotic  (single cell)
organisms. These unicellular organisms are
larger than bacteria and can cause disease,
some of which are parasitic.

Fungi - is a member of a large group

of  eukaryotic  organisms that includes micro-
organisms such as  yeasts  and  moulds and as well
as the more familiar  mushrooms.

MacroParasite - Macroparasites  are parasites that are

large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They
require a host to grow and these generally
include  ticks,  mites & flatworms. Macroparasites can be
either external parasites (ectoparasitic) or internal
parasites (endoparasitic).

Type of Pathogen Distinguishing Features Examples

- Defective form of protein
- Does not contain DNA or RNA
- Scrapie in sheep.
Prions - Prions believed to be infectious
- Mad Cow Disease
- Attacks brain / nerve cells of
mammals
- Consist of a nucleic acid (DNA
& RNA - HIV
Viruses
- They invade cells - Hepatitis B
- Can Replicate

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 - Procaryotic cells
- Some are parasitic
- Cause disease by secreting - Boils
Bacteria
toxins, invading cells & forming - Pneumonia
colonies
- They disrupt cell function
- Unicellular organisms
- Diarrhoea
Protozoans - Eucaryotic
- Malaria
- Cause disease
- Heterotrophic
- Tinea
Fungi - Some are unicellular & some
- Ringworm
are long branch like
- Multicellular parasites - Ticks
Macro-Parasites
- Visible to naked eye - Lice

PART B – MALARIA SUMMARY

CAUSE

Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of
infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

TRANSMISSION

The transmission of malaria known as anterior station transfer is where the sporozoites are injected
into the skin, alongside saliva, when the mosquito takes blood and infecting the human and turning
it into a secondary host. Malaria can be carried by mosquitoes in temperate climates, but the
parasite disappears over the winter. Malaria can also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn
baby and also by blood transfusions.

HOST RESPONSE

Malaria is a parasitic disease that can trigger high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, and
anaemia.

MAJOR SYMPTOMS

- Anaemia
- Chills
- Convulsion
- Fever
- Headache
- Jaundice
- Muscle pain
- Nausea

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 - Stools, bloody
- Sweating
- Vomiting

TREATMENT

Malaria, especially Falciparum malaria, is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization. Many anti-
malarial medications, such as Chloroquine, Tetracycline and Quinidine are used in order to treat
infections. Depending on the part of your body which is infected, different medications can be used.
Other supportive medical care such intravenous (IV) fluids and other medications and respiratory
support may be needed.

PREVENTION

Most people living in areas where malaria is common have acquired some  immunity  to the disease.
Visitors who travel will not have this immunity, and should take preventive medications prior to
visiting. Treatment for malaria may begin as long as 2 weeks before travelling to the area, and can
continue for a up to month after you leave. Although, people on anti-malarial medications may still
become infected. Different types of anti-malarial medications are prescribed depending on the place
you intend to visit. Upon arrival, you should avoid mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing over
the arms and legs, using insect repellent and ensure the screens on windows are shut.

CONTROL

Efforts to  eradicate  malaria by eliminating

mosquitoes have been successful in certain
areas. Measures such as the draining of wetland
breeding grounds, better sanitation and the use
of Pesticide DDT were efficient. In some areas of
the world, mosquitoes that carry malaria have
developed resistance to  insecticides.
Additionally, the some parasites have developed
a resistance to some antibiotics and has led to
difficulty in controlling both the rate of infection
and spread of this disease.

ORGANISM LIFECYCLE

The life cycle of the malaria parasite begins when an infected mosquito transmits malaria
sporozoites to a new host. The sporozoites travel to the liver, where they invade liver cells and
multiply over the following two weeks before rupturing out of the liver and into the blood stream.

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During the first 48 hours after infecting a red blood cell, a parasite goes through several phases of
development. The first stage is where the parasite begins to metabolize haemoglobin. The next
phase is the trophozoite stage, where the parasite metabolizes most of the haemoglobin, gets bigger
and prepares to reproduce more parasites. Finally, the parasite divides asexually, the red blood cell
bursts open and the parasites are dispersed to infect more red blood cells. This process is repeated
through the hosts.

SITE OF INCIDENCE / INCIDENCE WORLDWIDE

According to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, over 30

million years ago fossils were found of mosquitoes showing
signs of malaria, meaning malaria had been around long
before humans came to existence. It is thought that malaria
began in Africa and was spread to different areas by human
carriers.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Wikipedia Louis Pasteur: Viewed on the 17/05/11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Pasteur
2. Wikipedia Robert Koch: Viewed on the 17/05/11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Koch
3. InnVista Pathogens: Viewed on the 17/05/11
http://www.innvista.com/health/microbes/patho.htm
4. Biology Viruses: Viewed on the 17/05/11
http://biology.about.com/od/virology/ss/viruses.htm
5. Users Bacteria: Viewed on the 17/05/11
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/Eubacteria.html
6. Lersus Protozoa: Viewed on the 17/05/11
http://www.lersus.de/res/modules/enu/biology/1/content/content5.html
7. Britannica Fungus: Viewed on the 17/05/11
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/222357/fungus
8. Wikipedia Macroparasite: Viewed on the 17/05/11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroparasite

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9. Wikipedia Malaria: Viewed on the 17/05/11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria

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