1.1-1.2 Biomed notes

antibody

protein produced to correct the body by the immune system. They attach themselves to an antigen and crack the whip (remove the antigen).

bioinformatics

using computer/information technology to collect, store, and allow biological data to be interpreted.

enzyme

biological catalysts-speed up reactions

pathogen

an agent that can cause disease

serial dilution

step-wise dilution by using a constant dilution factor or by using a variable factor between dilutions

antigen

foreign substance that triggers antibodies or the immune system

concentration

abundance of solute/amount of solvent

ELISA

(“enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.) Detects and quantifies antigens or antibodies in a sample. Works by using antibodies linked to an enzyme which exposed to a substrate causes a color change.

Primer

short nucleic acid sequence that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis. It’s a short strand of RNA, synthesized by an enzyme called primase which is also an RNA polymerase. This is needed before DNA replication

Substrate

surface are on which organisms live on or the substance which an enzyme can bind to. Enzymes react with substrates.

antibiotic

medicines that fight bacterial infections by killing bacteria through destroying key bacterial organelles or stopping them from multiplying

plasmid

seperate from rest of DNA in bacteria-small circular DNA molecule

antibiotic resistance

when bacteria changes so that antibiotic medicines cant kill or stop their growth

neucleoid

prokaryotic dna-containing area

transduction

transfer of dna from one bacteria to another

What is a medical intervention?

a treatment, procedure, or other action taken to prevent or treat disease, or improve health in other ways.

What are the main categories of interventions that function to maintain human health?

• Preventive interventions/pre doctors office:

• Diagnostic interventions: Tests like imaging, blood work, and biopsies to identify conditions.

• Supportive interventions: Actions that maintain or restore basic functions, such as IV fluids or oxygen therapy.

How do scientists gather evidence during the potential outbreak of an infectious disease?

Factors that speed up or slow down disease spread include patient symptoms like severity and contagiousness, as well as patient connections such as proximity and interaction frequency. Appropriate tests depend on the pathogen’s nature (e.g., ELISA, BLAST). Medical evidence, such as symptom patterns, helps identify the disease, and containment steps involve isolation, contact tracing, and public health interventions, while treatment depends on the pathogen (antivirals, antibiotics, supportive care).

What is bioinformatics?

the science of collecting and analyzing complex biological data such as genetic codes.

How can DNA sequences be used to identify disease pathogens?

Genomic sequencing technologies decode a pathogen's genetic material by identifying the order of chemical "letters" of its DNA (or RNA, its chemical equivalent in some viruses). Each of four letters represents a chemical unit called a base. The sequence of the bases can reveal useful information for combatting disease.. Then this sequence can be typed into BLAST and matches can be determined.

What is an antibody?

a blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen. Antibodies combine chemically with substances which the body recognizes as alien, such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances in the blood.

How can antibodies identify and inactivate antigens?

y specifically binding to a pathogen's proteins or antigens, facilitating their neutralization and destruction. Antigens are classically defined as any foreign substance that elicits an immune response.

How can the ELISA assay be used to detect diseases?

s a technique used to detect antibodies or infectious agents in a sample. Antibodies are made in response to infection and so antibody ELISA testing can indicate whether or not an animal has been in contact with a certain virus.

Why is it important for doctors to know the concentration fo dsiease antigen present in a patient’s system?

It can help them find the severity of the disease

What steps do scientists take to diagnose, treat, and prevent future spread of a disease outbreak?

First they try and find out who is patient 0 (the mother of the disease). This will allow them to find out how the disease may have spread, and which specific disease it is. Once they have figured that out, they will test to see if the patients at high risk of infection because of contact with patient 0, are infected as well. (key words, contract tracing)

What factors speed up or slow down the spread of disease through a population?

Population, weather

How has advanced technology such as bioinformatics changed disease detection?

BLAST, interpretation of vast amounts ot data is easier than ever thanks to bioinformatics

What evidence helps scientists determine the source of a potential outbreak of an infectious disease?

By limiting the bacteria from multiplying or harming parts of the cell wall

How do antibiotics work to fight bacterial infections?

They will analyze clues found in the history and physical of each possible patient, identify pathogens present in body fluids through DNA sequence analysis, and test for the infectious agent using the antibody-based Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA).

Why are certain classes of antibiotics prescribed to treat specific bacterial infections?

If a bacterium does not contain the target for a particular antibiotic, it is known to have intrinsic resistance. [14] Vancomycin, an antibiotic known to target work against gram-positive bacteria, cannot cross the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria.

How has the development of antibiotics impacted human health?

Saved people from dying from easily treatble bacterial infections

What are the four main classes of antiboitics?

1. Beta-lactams - This class includes penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams.

2. Aminoglycosides - Examples include gentamicin and tobramycin, which are typically bactericidal.

3. Tetracyclines - This includes antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline, which work mainly as bacteriostatic agents.

4. Macrolides - This class includes antibiotics such as erythromycin and azithromycin.

What is the purpose of a medical intervention?

Medical interventions help maintain health and homeostasis in the body. A variety of methods can be used to detect and/or identify infectious agents.

How do beta-lactams work?

These antibiotics are like the bouncers for your cells' VIP party. Bacteria have a rigid cell wall, and these antibiotics stop the wall from being built properly. Without their "armor," bacteria burst open like balloons. 🎈 Pop! No more invaders.

How do aminogylocadis work?

Think of this group as the fashion police. They swoop in and stop bacteria from making the essential proteins they need to survive, which is like cutting off their supply of cute outfits. No outfits? No function. Bacteria can't "slay" anymore. 👗❌

How to tetracyclines work?

These antibiotics act like a dramatic breakup. They stop bacteria from copying their DNA or RNA, so the bacteria can't even divide or pass on their toxic gossip (aka genetic info). It's like ghosting them forever—can't multiply, can't thrive. 🖤👻

How do marcolides work?

These ones are the ultimate energy-drainers. They block bacteria from making the nutrients they need to stay alive. It’s like canceling their caffeine order, leaving them sluggish and unable to function. ☕💤 Bacteria? Not on their A-game anymore.

What does BLAST stand for?

Basic Local Alignment Search Tool-The program compares nucleotide or protein sequences and calculates the statistical significance of matches.

How does antibiotic resistance work?

1. Bacteria Mutations = New Party Tricks

Some bacteria are like those sneaky party crashers who find a secret way into the VIP section. 😎💄 They get random mutations (like learning a new dance move or getting a fake ID) that help them dodge the antibiotic bouncers. When antibiotics try to stop them, they’re like, "Nice try, but I know the back door!" 🕺🏽

2. Sharing Cheat Codes

These bacteria aren’t just keeping their new tricks to themselves—oh no. They share their cheat codes with their other bacteria BFFs. It’s like they’re passing around tips on how to get into the party without a ticket. 📲🤫 Now a whole squad of bacteria can sneak past the antibiotics.

3. Overusing Antibiotics = Bacteria Leveling Up

If you take antibiotics too often or when you don’t need them, it’s like giving bacteria more chances to figure out how to break in. It’s practice time! The more they face off with the antibiotics, the faster they learn new tricks. 🏋‍♀️ So, antibiotics that used to work like a charm might not be able to keep up anymore.

4. The Superbug Era

Eventually, these sneaky, tricked-out bacteria turn into what we call "superbugs." 😈💪 They’re basically immune to the antibiotics, and now the bouncers have no idea how to stop them. It’s like bacteria are running the party now, and we have to find new ways to kick them out.

Moral of the Story: Don’t Overuse the Bouncers!

When used right, antibiotics are your body’s ultimate squad. But if we let bacteria keep learning their tricks, they’ll become the rulers of the party, and we don’t want that drama! 🛑