Osmosis and Hay Infusion

Osmosis

Refers to the spontaneous movement of solvent (e.g. water) across a semipermeable membrane from a region of high water concentration to lower water concentration. This is important due to many factors:

Crucial in biological systems including the movement of water into and out the cells.

For uptake of nutrients

Regulation of water balance in organisms

Isotonic

When both the cell and surrounding solution have equal solute concentrations (Normal Saline Solution)

Hypotonic

Take in water across their membranes, leading to hemolysis (distilled water)

Hypertonic

The solution has a lower water concentration that the cell cytosol, thus water moves out the cell (3% sodium chloride)

Plasma

Transport nutrients, hormones, and proteins. It is a yellowish liquid that makes up 55% of the body’s blood volume; also carries waste products.

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Carries fresh oxygen through the body and removes carbon dioxide; make up about 40% - 45% of blood

Heme

Iron containing molecule with a porphyrin ring with an iron atom on its center; embedded with the globin protein

Globin

Protein subunit known for its role in protecting the heme and binding & transporting oxygen, sensing oxygen levels and scavenging reactive species.

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Biconcave in shape, allows them to pass through tight spaces in the blood stream

Lacks cell wall organelles

Life span of 120 days, when dead, consumed by macrophage

Flexible cell membrane

Spectrin

A large cytoskeletal protein that forms or lines the intracellular surface of RBC

White Blood Cells

Part of the body’s immune system, detects and fights viruses and bacteria; they make up less than 1% of blood.

Granulocytes

Have protein (granules) inside their cytoplasm. (e.g. -cytes)

Agranulocytes

Does not have granules inside their cytoplasm. (e.g. -phils)

Lymphocytes

Recognizing and targeting specific pathogens and infected cells. Contains B cells; responsible for the production of antibodies

Monocytes

Responsible for engulfing pathogens and debris.

Neutrophils

Responsible for engulfing and digests of pathogens through phagocytosis. Most abundant type of leukocytes.

Eosinophils

Release chemicals that kills parasites

Basophils

Releases chemicals for allergic reactions and inflammatory responses of the body.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Forms clots to stop the bleeding; make less than 1% of the blood

Buffy coat

Thin layer formed after centrifugating blood. Contains leukocytes and platelets.

Hay Infusion

Most well known in vitro experiment and culturing technique; usually includes sterilization of water to kill cysts, spores, and other organisms occurring in plants and water. Uses hay, dried leaves, and dry grass to be soaked in water to cultivate microorganisms for study; provides sources of nutrients for bacteria, algae, protozoa, and other small organisms.

In vitro

Experiment performed outside of living organisms; typically used in laboratory setting (e.g. isolation of organisms)

In vivo

Experiment performed within living organisms. (e.g. humans, animal, plants)

Sterilization

Process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life.

Amoeba spp.

Unicellular - single-celled organisms

Pseudopodia - Move and engulf food using temporary extensions of their cytoplasm

Widely distributed - Found in various environments, including water, soil, and human body

Pathogenic species - Some amoeba can cause infections to humans (e.g. Entamoeba histolyca)

Eukaryotic - Has a true nucleus and are considered eukaryotes

Amoeba proteus

A well-known type species which is found on decaying bottom vegetations of freshwater streams and ponds (feu pond)

Entamoeba histolytica

Causes amoebic dysentery, can be treated with metronidazole or tinidazole

Naegleria fowleri

Brain-eating amoeba, Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), can be treated with Amphotericin B with combination medications such as rifampin, azithromycin and fluconazole

Balantidium coli

Covered with short-hair like structure called cilia that beat in a coordinated, wave-like manner. Cilia allows it to swim through intestinal contents, move quickly in all directions, help in feeling by directing food into the cytoplasm.

Organism type - Protozoan (ciliate)

Largest protozoan parasite infecting humans

Only ciliate known to infect humans

Balantidiasis

Disease often obtained by consuming food or water containing infected feces; can be treated with Tetracycline, Metronidazole and Iodoquinol; can be prevented by hygiene and washing food.

Escherichia coli

Normal in human flora however only in the Gastrointestinal tract (large intestine). If located in other areas or too many may cause infection.

Pseudopodia

Move and engulf food using temporary extensions of their cytoplasm

Escherichia coli

Gram-negative - has a thin cell wall with an outer membrane, making it stain pink after a Gram stain.

Rod-shaped - The bacteria are typically rod-shaped; 1–3 μm in length and 0.4–0.7 μm in diameter

.

Facultative anaerobic - can grow with or without oxygen

(note: not common in hay infusion but can serve as food for ciliates and protozoa)

UTI

Infection that can be treated with Ciprofloxacin, Ampicillin, Nitrofurantoin and Co-Trimoxazole

E.coli 0157:H7

Obtained from foodborne illnesses; not common in the Philippines but common in European and American regions.

Plasmodium falciparum

Responsible for the most malaria cases; responsible for the most deaths globally. Common in sub-saharan deserts and African regions.

Protozoan Parasite - It's a single-celled eukaryotic parasite.

Malaria Causative Agent - It causes falciparum malaria, the most dangerous form of the disease.

Transmission - Transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Global Impact - Responsible for a majority of malaria deaths globally

Life Cycle - It has a complex life cycle involving both humans and mosquitoes, with stages in the liver and red blood cells.

Symptom Severity - Can lead to severe complications, including liver and kidney failure, seizures, coma, and death.

Blood Cell Infection - The parasite infects red blood cells and can cause them to adhere to blood vessel walls, blocking blood flow and damaging tissues.

Ring

Initial and actively feeding state; normal; multiple infections of RBC more common than in other species

Delicate cytoplasm; 1-2 small chromatin dots; occasional applique (accolé) forms

Trophozoite

Characterized by the invasion of RBC; normal; rarely, Maurer’s clefts (under certain conditions)

seldom seen in peripheral blood; compact cytoplasm; dark pigment

Schizont

Multinucleated asexual stage; normal; rarely, Maurer’s clefts (under certain conditions); undergoes multiple division, eventually rupturing and releasing merozoites

seldom seen in peripheral blood; mature = 8-24 small merozoites; dark pigment, clumped in one mass

Gametocyte

Appearance distorted by parasite

crescent or sausage shape; chromatin in a single mass (macrogametocyte) or diffuse (microgametocyte); dark pigment mass

Albumin

Mixed with the Hay Infusion Set up in week 1; a protein that is used to provide a rich environment for microbial growth

Surface film

____ may form and the water may look milky and turbid. These are signs that the bacterial population is increasing in week 1

Protozoa

Seeded with representative forms of the chief groups in week 1; there is a definite sequence of appearance of the dominant types at the surface of the infusion, i. e., Monad, Colpoda, Hypotrichida, Paramoecium, Vorticella and Amoeba.

Milk

Mixed with the Hay Infusion Set up in week 2; contains sugars, proteins, and other nutrients that are readily consumed by bacteria (E. coli) in the hay infusion

Sugar

The readily available carbohydrates in hay, plays a crucial role in a hay infusion by providing a food source for the microorganisms that thrive within it

Euglena

Diatoms

Spirogyra

Scenedesmus

Chlamydomonas

Volvox

Common algae microorganisms in hay infusion

Paramecium

Stylonychia

Amoeba

Vorticella

Heteronema

Common Protozoan microorganisms in hay infusion

Power Stroke

Propulsion; fast and stiff movement

Recovery stroke

Propulsion; slower and more flexible movement