The End =/

As the last days of my Microbiology come, my heart saddens. I will not denied it was a tough class since there was a lot of work to get done but, the many things learned will remain with throughout the rest of your life. I've learn things from what is are different types of microorganisms to how can bacteria infect a human and so on. The study cases help me live a hospital experience without being in the hospital :). This class has made a positive impact in my life since every where I go I link it somehow. From going to the bathroom and eating to when I see someone sick or when I get a cut. There are microbes all EVERYWHERE so I'm constantly reminded of this class and the many thing learned.

Sharing..

A few weekends ago, when I went home for a several days, I had a wonderful conversation with one of close friend. He explained to me that he for some weird reason he has reason he has been having a constant cold and high fevers. I wondered to my self, well  if he is sick why doesn't he go to the hospital? I guess he read my mind because without me even asking he said, "... and don't even think of telling to go to the doctor because I don't think is that serious and I just simply hate doctors." I was shocked the way he came at me about it as if he knew what I was thinking. Then I explained to him that it can be several things such as allergies, a simple cold or a serious infection that it's just starting. He might some strong medication to help his body fight whatever pathogen it's trying to fight. If it was a serious illness and it gets worse he will be in serious problems. Somehow, I managed to convince him to go to the hospital to get checked up since he was drinking Tylenol (for the fever) and Robitussin ( for the cold) and it was not going away. It felt good being able to explain to someone thing about their body that they didn't understand.

What are the antigen presenting cells?

Before answering the question, do you even know what is an antigen? Well, if don't know then I'll tell you but if you did let me refresh your memory. In immunology, an antigen is a foreign substance in the the body that produces an immune response. Now that we defined what is an antigen, lets get to business. There three types of antigen presenting cells: dendritic cell, macrophages and B cells. Dendritic cells form part of the mammalian immune system and their function is to process antigen material and present it on the surface to other cells in the immune system. Macrophages are matured monocytes and their function is ingest foreign material, such antigens, through the process of phagocitation. B cells are part of the lymphocytes white blood cells and their function is to generate antibodies for specific antigens. Those are the three antigen presenting cells along with their functions.

Gram- positive bacteria :)

Staphylococcus

The first picture to your are bacteria called Staphylococcus, which are facultative anaerobic prokaryotes whose spherical cells are usually clustered in grapelike arrangements.

Enterococcus

 The Enterococcus bacterium is a normal member of the intestinal microbiota that can cause nosocomial bacteremia, endocarditis, and wound infections.

Bacillus cereus

Bacillus cereus is a soil-dwelling, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, beta hemolytic bacterium which produces toxins. This bacterium causes food poisoning.

Streptococcus

The general definition for all the species of Streptococcus is that they are a diverse assemblage of Gram-positive cocci arranged in pairs or chains, as shown in the picture above.

How many types of immunoglobulin are in a human's Immune System?

First of let's star by defining Immonuglobulins, these are any of a class of proteins present in the serum and cells of the immune system, that function as antibodies. There are 5 types of immunoglobulins and these are: 

               • Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is the third most common antibody class and the predominant  

                 antibody produced first during a primary humoral immune response.

              •  Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the predominant antibody class found in the bloodstream and  

                 the primary defender against invading bacteria.

              •  Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the antibody class most commonly associated with various 

                 body secretions, including tears and milk. IgA pairs with a secretory component to form 

                 secretory IgA.

              •  Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is the signal antibody molecule that triggers the release of cell-

                 damaging molecules onto parasites, particularly parasitic worms.

              •  Immunoglobulin D (IgD) is a membrane-bound antibody molecule found in some animals as 

                 a B cell receptor.

The immunoglobulins that is activated depends on the type of pathogen that enters the body.

Adding some dirty to your diet

The article "Dirtying Up Our Diet" by Jeff D. Leach made me think about the dirt my mom would find on the pieces of lettuce when I didn't wash them right. My mom would scream at me for not cleaning it right but, according to this article leaving a little bit of dirt on the greens is not that bad. This generation is becoming germ-phobic which at the long run is not to good for our immune system since it is not being expose to foreign organism, making it weaker. There has been a tremendous increase in allergies and autoimmune disorders during the past years. Leach, along with several researchers recommend to return to our old habits and reconnect to some "old friends" in order to build stronger immune systems.

The article link is below:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/opinion/lets-add-a-little-dirt-to-our-diet.html?ref=microbiology&_r=0