Prokaryotes, Viruses, and Protistans

Did Alexander the Great Die from West Nile Virus?

Historical Review Alexander the Great and West Nile Virus Encephalitis John S. Marr* and Charles H. Calisher

Table. Medical history and physical examination of Alexander the Great

Patient characteristics Onset of final illness May 29, 323 BC Death June 10, 323 BC Escalating fever associated with chills Excessive thirst, diaphoresis Acute abdominal pain Single episode of back pain at onset of fever Increased weakness leading to prostration with intermittent periods of energy Delirium Aphonia Terminal flaccid paralysis

Microorganisms
Single-celled organisms that are too small to be seen

without a microscope
Bacteria are the smallest living organisms
Viruses are smaller but are not alive

The Prokaryotes

Only two groups

Archaebacteria and Eubacteria Arose before the eukaryotes

Prokaryotic Characteristics

No membrane-bound nucleus
Single chromosome Cell wall in most species Prokaryotic fission Metabolic diversity

Prokaryotic Body Plan

pilus

bacterial flagellum

DNA

plasma capsule cell wall membrane

ribosomes in cytoplasm

Bacterial Shapes

coccus

bacillus

spirillum

Archaebacteria

Methanogens
Extreme halophiles

Extreme thermophiles

Archaebacteria Habitats

Eubacteria
Includes most familiar bacteria Have fatty acids in plasma membrane

Most have cell wall; always includes peptidoglycan

Classification based largely on metabolism

Metabolic Diversity

Photoautotrophs
Chemoautotrophs Chemoheterotrophs

Bacterial Genes
Bacteria have a single chromosome

Circular molecule of DNA

Many bacteria also have plasmids

Self-replicating circle of DNA that has a few genes

Can be passed from one cell to another

Prokaryotic Fission

Video: E. coli Reproduction

http://www.college.ucla.edu/webproject/micro7/lec

turenotes/finished/ecolivideo.mov

nicked plasmid in donor cell

conjugation tube to recipient cell

Conjugation

Antibiotic resistance transferred

The Normal Flora

The normal flora of humans is exceedingly complex

and consists of more than 200 species of bacteria. The mixture of organisms regularly found at any anatomical site is referred to as the normal flora.

A Friendly Bacteria: E. coli

Commonly inhabits the intestines of

vertebrates E. coli does not normally infect us Many benefits: vitamin K and the B complex are produced by E. coli prevent colonization by pathogens stimulate the production of cross-reactive antibodies

E. coli strain O157:H7. A Dangerous Form

This mutant can be transmitted in food or water Think White Water and the Jack in the Box

hamburger incidents Both made national news when many people became ill and some died.

Sewage Pollution Indicator

E. coli in streams, drinking water and surface

waters of all kinds may indicate a problem with sewage and or farm runoff.

Testing for unusual levels of these organisms is

routinely done by public health officials

Parks, swimming pools, restaurants etc may be

closed if E. coli is detected

E. coli Photos

EM cells
http://www.bact.wisc.edu/bact330/nfE.coli_colonies.jpeg

Culture plate

Park settles last E. coli suit

Patricia Guthrie - Staff Friday, December 15, 2000 The last of a dozen lawsuits, filed by families of children sickened in a 1998 E. coli outbreak tied to Cobb County's White Water park, has been settled out of court for an undisclosed sum, attorneys said Thursday. The family of Jordan Faith Shook of Cartersville, whose symptoms were among the most severe of the 26 children sickened by E. coli O157:H7, agreed to an out-of-court settlement. The settlement was sealed in court records and will not be disclosed, said Bill Marler, attorney for James and Judy Shook, Jordan's parents

http://www.marlerclark.com/news/whitewater10.htm

Necrotizing fasciitis: "The flesh-eating bacteria"

Streptococcus pyogenes strains (as well as others) rarely cause necrotizing fasciitis These infections are extremely serious Sometimes necessitate amputation or result in severe disfigurement.

Photomicrograph of Streptococcus pyogenes

http://www.cellsalive.net/photos/images/strep1.jpg

Unexpected Consequences
One weekend in June of 1998 while Cassie Moore

was camping with her three children, she obtained a minor cut on her finger, which she bandaged properly. She also injured the left side of her body participating in sports. Not thinking much of either, she bandaged the cut, and went to bed (Moore, 1999).

edu:81/ScienceEd/stories/storyReader$89

Warning!
The next two slides are very graphic. They show the

results of necrotizing fasciitis!!

You dont have to look at them if you are squeamish!

Severe Case

http://www.bact.wisc.edu:81/ScienceEd/stories/storyReader$89

Amputee

EPA finds contaminated drinking water on planes

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- A surprising

number of drinking water systems on domestic and foreign commercial aircraft tested this summer by the government did not meet federal standards because they were contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria, regulators said Monday. (Tuesday, September 21, 2004 Posted: 10:46 AM EDT (1446 GMT) )

Microbes in the News

E. coli outbreak alarms Germany as young women sicken (BBC 25 May 2011)
Germany is alarmed at the scale of an E. coli food

poisoning outbreak which is thought to have killed three people and may have infected hundreds more.
Salads suspected health conscious women.

E. coli cucumber scare: Spain angry at German claims BBC 31 May 2011
Spain has expressed anger at links being made

between Spanish cucumbers and a deadly E. coli outbreak. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe13605910

Reaction to the cucumber crisis Country Germany Action Consumers told not to eat cucumbers, lettuces and raw tomatoes. 1,150 cases of E.coli confirmed; 14 deaths One death and 36 suspected E. coli infections, linked to travel in northern Germany. Top European cucumber producer - threatens to seek compensation from the European Union for lost vegetables sales Ban on all imports of cucumbers, tomatoes and fresh salad from Spain and Germany pending further notice Some Spanish-grown cucumbers removed from sale Some Spanish-grown cucumbers removed from sale Ban on sale of cucumbers, tomatoes and aubergines imported via Germany Reported to have banned cucumber imports from Spain Halted all cucumber shipments to Germany Testing cucumbers for

Sweden

Spain

Russia

Czech Republic

France

Austria

Belgium Netherlands Denmark

E. coli outbreaks linked to Egyptian seeds

LONDON/BERLIN Imported fenugreek seeds

from Egypt may be the source of highly toxic E. coli outbreaks in Germany and France that have killed at least 48 people, according to initial investigations by European scientists. (June 2011)

Salmonella

FOODBORNE ILLNESS

From CBS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7_QPeFYTx8&f

eature=fvsr

Characteristics of Salmonella

Gram negative Rod shaped (bacillus) Non-spore forming

Motile (many flagella)

Enterobacteria (Live in the intestines of many

animals) Chemoorganotrophs Salmonella infections are zoonotic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmonella

Gram Staining
Laboratory staining protocol developed to help identify bacteria Two stains are used on heat-fixed (death by heat) smear of a bacterial

culture

Stain #1 is crystal violet which stains the bacterial cells purple

Stain #2 is usually safrarin which stains the bacterial cells red or pink Gram + bacteria appear purple under microscope because they retain

the crystal violet dye in their cell walls

Gram- bacteria appear red or pink under the microscope because they

do not retain the blue dye, but do retain the pink dye Does not work on all types of bacteria

Gram Staining Video

BEST Gram Staining Video Ever!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyyY8h1doJk

Second Best
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ6C-

gj_UHM&feature=grec_index

Under the Microscope

A Gram stain of mixed Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive cocci) and Escherichia coli (Gram negative bacilli)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gram_staining

Salmonella and Disease

The Salmonella family includes over 2,300 serotypes of

bacteria which are one-celled organisms too small to be seen without a microscope. Two types, Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium are the most common in the United States and account for half of all human infections. Strains that cause no symptoms in animals can make people sick, and vice versa. If present in food, it does not usually affect the taste, smell, or appearance of the food. The bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of infected animals and humans.
dex.asp

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/salmonella_questions_&_answers/in

Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called Salmonella.

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
losis/

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/salmonel

Deaths
About 142,000 (reported) Americans are

infected each year with Salmonella enteritidis from chicken eggs, and about 30 die.[18] The shell of the egg may be contaminated with salmonella by feces or environment (common), or its interior (yolk) may be contaminated by penetration of the bacteria through the porous shell or from a hen whose infected ovaries contaminate the egg during egg formation (unlikely). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmonella

FDA ties chicken feed to salmonella in egg recall

WASHINGTON (Reuters) Bacteria found in

chicken feed used at two Iowa farms has been linked to a salmonella outbreak that prompted the recall of more than a half billion contaminated eggs, U.S. regulators said on Thursday.
By Alina Selyukh Alina Selyukh Thu Aug 26, 5:24 pm ET

So what's happening to the recalled eggs and the fresh ones?

Eggs from that massive salmonella outbreak could still

end up on a store shelf near you.

CBS News has learned that some of the recalled eggs are being sent to egg processing facilities, along with fresh ones that infected hens are still producing. The eggs will be cooked, pasteurized and used in products like ice cream and mayonnaise. The FDA says it's legal and safety experts insist there's little risk to consumers. http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=316835

Friendly bacteria cheer up anxious mice

Published online 30 August 2011 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2011.510 Beneficial gut bacteria, or probiotics, have been shown in the past to

alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety. found that probiotics have a direct impact on mood neurotransmitters in mice. Mice fed a strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus were less anxious and produced fewer stress hormones than control animal. These mice were more chilled out.
http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110830/full/news.2011.510.html

Helicobacter pylori
A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach

or duodenum, the beginning of the small intestine. Less commonly, a peptic ulcer may develop just above the stomach in the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. A bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major cause of peptic ulcers. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are another common cause. Rarely, cancerous or noncancerous tumors in the stomach, duodenum, or pancreas cause ulcers.

Helicobacter pylori

Botox
Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium

botulinum, and is considered the most powerful neurotoxin ever discovered. four kilograms of the toxin, if evenly distributed, would be more than enough to kill the entire human population of the world. Muscles cant contract. Popularly known by one of its trade names, Botox or Dysport, it is used for various cosmetic and medical procedures.

Bacteria 'linked' to Parkinson's disease (BBC 22 May 2011)

The bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers have been

linked to Parkinson's disease, according to researchers in the US.

like symptoms.Parkinson's disease affects the brain and results in slow
movements and a tremor.

Mice infected with Helicobacter pylori went onto develop Parkinson's

The researchers believe the bacteria are producing chemicals which are

toxic to the brain.

Dr. Testerman said this new chemical was almost identical to one found in seeds from the cycad plant, which had been shown to trigger a Parkinson's-like disease among people in Guam.

Bacteria-rich hailstones add to 'bioprecipitation' idea (BBC 25 May 2011)

A study of hailstones has found large numbers of bacteria

at their cores.
The find lends credence to the "bio-precipitation" idea, which suggests

that bacteria are actively involved in stimulating precipitation. The bacteria have protein coatings that cause water to freeze at relatively warm temperatures.

NDM-1 superbug enzyme's 'photofit' taken

BBC 6 September 2011 Last updated at 02:39 ET The structure of the protein which stops some of

medicine's most powerful antibiotics working has been determined by researchers. The way bacteria freely exchange genes between themselves, and even between species, means this resistance gene could spread to other disease-causing bacteria.
Carbapenem antibiotics are considered last line of

defensecarbapenem antibiotics are destroyed bythe NDM-1 enzyme.

New 'superbug' found in UK hospitals

BBC 11 August 2010 Last updated at 09:14 ET A new superbug that is resistant to even the most powerful antibiotics

has entered UK hospitals, experts warn. They say bacteria that make an enzyme called NDM-1 have travelled back with NHS patients who went abroad to countries like India and Pakistan for treatments such as cosmetic surgery.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10934814

Soil bacterium helps kill cancers

4 September 2011 Last updated at 20:58 ET A bacterium found in soil is a

showing promise as a way of delivering cancer drugs into tumours. Spores of the Clostridium sporogenes bacterium can grow within tumours because there is no oxygen.

The Diabetes Epidemic

Bacteria produce most of our insulin

Percentage of Civilian, Noninstitutionalized Population with Diagnosed Diabetes, by Age, United States, 19802009 http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics/pre v/national/figbyage.htm

Recombinant DNA: Example Using Insulin

http://www.iptv.org/exploremore/ge/what/insulin.c

fm
Genetic engineering processes can make human insulin. Human insulin

DNA is placed into the DNA of a second organism. The host organism becomes an insulin-producing factory. People with diabetes (called diabetics) do not correctly produce or use their insulin protein. The insulin protein helps control how much sugar is in your bloodstream. Millions of diabetics need to take insulin. Insulin from cows and pigs has been used since the early 1900s to treat diabetes. Now human insulin protein can be mass-produced through genetic engineering processes.

Antibiotic Production
Streptomyces: a common group of 500

species of soil bacteria. They produce over two-thirds of the clinically useful antibiotics of natural origin (e.g., neomycin, chloramphenicol).[4] The now uncommonly-used streptomycin takes its name directly from Streptomyces. Streptomycetes are infrequent pathogens. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streptomyces
Carbapenems are a class of beta-lactam antibiotics with a broad spectrum of

antibacterial activity. They have a structure that renders them highly resistant to most beta-lactamases.[1] Carbapenem antibiotics were originally developed from thienamycin, a naturally derived product of Streptomyces cattleya. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbapenem

Virus
Noncellular infectious agent
Consists of protein wrapped around a nucleic

acid core Cannot reproduce itself; can only be reproduced using a host cell

Viral Body Plans

Genetic material is DNA or

RNA Coat is protein

Helical virus

Polyhedral virus

Complex virus (bacteriophage)

Enveloped Virus (HIV)

lipid envelope; proteins span the envelope, line its inner surface, spike out above it

viral coat (proteins)

Viral Multiplication - Basic Steps

Virus attaches to host cell
Whole virus or genetic material enters host Viral DNA or RNA directs host to make viral genetic

material and protein Viral nucleic acids and proteins are assembled New viral particles are released from cell

Lytic Pathway

Lysis

Assembly

Assembly Virus injects genetic material

Production of viral components

Lysogenic Pathway
Latent period extends the cycle Viral DNA becomes part of host chromosome for a time

Stimulus may cause cell to enter lytic pathway

Viral material integrated

Viral material passed on

Video: Virus Reproduction

http://www.med.sc.edu:85/movies/phageh.mov

Replication of an Enveloped Virus

Transcription of viral genes DNA replication

Translation Proteins

Assembly

Food and Water Borne Viruses

Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses Polio hepatitis A (HA)

Massive virus discovered in water tower

Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses

small round structured viruses (SRSVs) strand RNA single structural protein

viral gastroenteritis
self-limiting, mild, and characterized by nausea,

vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

http://rhino.bocklabs.wisc.edu/virusworld/jysart/norwalk_asv2001.jpg

Disney ship docks with 195 ill

PORT CANAVERAL, Florida (CNN) -- Sunny skies greeted the Disney cruise ship Magic as it docked here early Saturday, carrying 195 sick passengers and crew members. Norwalk virus. (2002)

http://www.cnn.com/2002/TRAVEL/11/30/disney.sick.cruise/

Tower

The largest virus ever discovered has been found in a water-cooling tower in Bradford, England. It was lurking inside single-celled organisms called amoebae, but its discoverers believe that it may also be capable of infecting humans.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993559

Photo from the New Scientist

girth of 400 nanometers (visible with a good light microscope) 900 genes

Polio
Small water-food borne RNA virus In about 1% of the infected population, the virus

attacks and kills motor neurons This results in various degrees of paralysis

http://www.rednova.com/news/stories/2/2003/04/29/story004.html

Polios Effects

http://cha.state.md.us/edcp/html/polio.html

http://www.bret.org.uk/nec2.htm

Hepatitis A (HA) Symptoms

fatigue jaundice abdominal pain

loss of appetite
nausea diarrhea fever

Persons at Risk
Household contacts of infected persons Sex contacts of infected persons Persons, especially children, living in areas with

increased rates of hepatitis A during the baseline period from 1987-1997. Persons traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common Men who have sex with men Injecting and non-injecting drug users

Average reported cases of hepatitis A per 100,000 population*, 1987-1997

Red> 20

The HA World

TRANSMISSION
HAV is found in the stool (feces) of persons with

hepatitis A. HAV is usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A.

Prevention
Hepatitis A vaccine is the best protection. Short-term protection against hepatitis A is

available from immune globulin. It can be given before and within 2 weeks after coming in contact with HAV. Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food.

Vaccination
Travelers to areas with increased rates of hepatitis

A Men who have sex with men Injecting and non-injecting drug users Persons with clotting-factor disorders (e.g. hemophilia) Persons with chronic liver disease Children living in areas with increased rates of hepatitis A during the baseline period from 19871997.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/a/fact.htm

HA Jaundice and the Viral Particle

http://www.apotheke-im-globus-wachau.de/Service/reis http://www.webcolombia.com/health/hepatitis/sintomas.jpg

Outback chain acquires Chi-Chi's

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Chi-Chi's, the chain of Mexican restaurants, may have served its last chimichanga. Outback Steakhouse Inc. this week closed on its $42.5 million deal for the rights to 76 restaurants in the Chi-Chi's chain, which was beleaguered by bankruptcy and a hepatitis outbreak.

http://www.washtimes.com/business/20040922-091157-9257r.htm

Dry Air Causes Winter Flu Outbreaks

Discovery News Wed Mar 3, 2010 03:44 AM ET

Researchers link flu outbreaks with low humidity levels of

winter. Winters in New York are four times less humid than in summer. In Minnesota, humidity can drop five-fold. Linking the flu to absolute humidity could help health workers prepare for outbreaks.

'Anti-cancer virus' shows promise

BBC 31 August 2011 Last updated at 13:00 ET An engineered virus, injected into the blood, can

selectively target cancer cells throughout the body in what researchers have labeled a medical first.
Scientists modified the vaccinia virus, which is more famous for being used to develop a smallpox vaccine. The virus, named JX-594, is dependent upon a chemical pathway, common in some cancers, in order to replicate. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14730608

Viroids
Smaller than viruses Strands or circles of RNA No protein-coding genes No protein coat Cause many plant diseases

PSTV
Most known viroids cause diseases in plants. The first viroid was discovered in 1971, by Diener. It's

called the potato spindle tuber virus (PSTV), Contains a single loop of RNA Relies wholly on enzymes all ready in the host cell

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/subcellular.html#Viroids

Vegetable MD Online
Cornell University Ag School

http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/Images/Potatoes/PotatoViruses/PotatoVirusfs1.jpg

Prions
Small proteins
Linked to human diseases Kuru Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)

Animal diseases Scrapie in sheep Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease)

BSE (Mad Cow Disease)

There is a disease similar to BSE called CreutzfeldtJacob Disease (CJD) that is found in people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Ouxl_GNjA

Warnings Sent to Emory Brain Patients

ATLANTA Oct. 1, 2004 Emory University

officials sent warning letters to more than 500 surgery patients at the school's medical center after a brain surgery patient tested positive for a fatal disease similar to the human version of mad cow disease. Chances of infection are very low, said Dr. William Bornstein, chief quality officer for Emory Healthcare. "By using modern sterilization, this has never been transmitted," he said.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Living/ap20041001_1791.html

Video: Mad Cow Disease

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNIwwLdDLnI

&feature=related

Protistans Differ from Prokaryotes

Have a nucleus and organelles Have proteins associated with DNA Use microtubules in a cytoskeleton,

spindle apparatus, and cilia and flagella May contain chloroplasts May divide by mitosis and meiosis

Major Lineages

Heterotrophs

Autotrophs

Mix or Both

Chytrids Water molds Slime molds Protozoans Sporozoans

Red algae Euglenoids Brown algae Dinoflagellat e Green algae Golden algae Diatoms

Animal-Like Protistans
Informally known as protozoans
May resemble single-celled heterotrophic

protistans that gave rise to animals Include predators, parasites, and grazers

Major Groups of Protozoans

Sarcodina - Amoeboid protozoans Ciliphora - Ciliated protozoans Mastigophora - Animal-like flagellates

Apicomplexa - Parasitic heterotrophs such as

the sporozoans

Naked Amoebas

Change shape constantly Move by means of pseudopods Most are free-living cells that engulf their prey

Some are symbionts in animal guts

A few are opportunistic pathogens

Amoeba

Amoeba

Video: Amoeba
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/moviegallery/pondscu

m/protozoa/amoeba/

Amoeba Infection In Brain

(CNN) -- An unidentified 12-year-old died Friday after being infected with an amoeba while swimming in a Florida lake. The boy had meningeal encephalitis -- a combination of meningitis and encephalitis, which causes the brain to swell, according to Dr. Jaime Carrizosa, an infectious disease specialist from Florida Hospital in Orlando. Carrizosa had treated the boy.

http://www.rense.com/general27/oom.htm

Other Ameboid Protozoans

Foraminiferans

Calcium carbonate shell

Radiolarians and Heliozoans

Shells of silica

Foraminiferan

Shelled amoeba, calcium carbonate

Do not post photos on Internet

Shelled amoeba, silica

A living heliozoan

Ciliated Protozoans
Phylum Ciliphora All heterotrophs Arrays of cilia allow

movement and direct food into oral cavity

Hypotrich

Body Plan of Paramecium

food residues being ejected food vacuole

gullet

cilia trichocysts (harpoons)

contractile vacuole emptied macronucleus micronucleus

contractile vacuole full

Ciliate Conjugation
Most ciliates have two different nuclei

Large macronucleus Smaller micronucleus

Micronucleus participates in sexual reproduction

(conjugation)

Partners exchange micronuclei

Paramecium Conjugation

Video: Ciliates
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/moviegallery/pondscu

m/protozoa/bursaria/index.html

Animal-Like Flagellates
Phylum Mastigophora
Move by means of flagella All are heterotrophs

Free-living species in freshwater and marine habitats

Many are internal parasites

Body Plan of a Trypanosome (Causes African Sleeping Sickness)

Undulating membrane

mitochondrion

basal body of flagellum

free flagellum nucleus

Trichomonas vaginalis (Common STD)

Trichomonas vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted

disease (STD), although transmission by other routes (such as soiled towels) has been documented.

Most people infected with trichomoniasis are

asymptomatic.

Symptomatic infections are characterized by a white

discharge from the genital tract and itching.

http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/trichomonas.html

Dinoflagellates

Red tide organisms

Red Tide

Red Tide Toxins Can Cause Respiratory Problems in Humans

Source: Boston Globe, 3/29/05

Sporozoans
Parasitic
Complete part of the life cycle inside specific

cells of a host organism

Many have elaborate life cycles that require

different hosts
Many cause serious human disease

Cryptosporidium

Motile infective stage (sporozoite)

invades intestinal epithelium

Causes cramps, watery diarrhea Commonly transmitted by water

contaminated with cysts

Toxoplasma
Cysts may be ingested with raw or undercooked meat Exposure to cysts from cat feces Symptoms are usually mild in people with normal

immune function Infection during pregnancy can kill or damage the embryo

Cat Vector (Toxoplasma)

Parasite in Cats Killing Sea Otters

The scientists' best guess is that parasite eggs in cat droppings are being washed by sprinklers and rains into coastal-bound storm drains and creeks.
http://www.oar.noaa.gov/spotlite/archive/spot_otter.html

Malaria
Symptoms have been known for more than

2,000 years
Most prevalent in tropical and subtropical

parts of Africa
Kills a million Africans each year Caused by four species of Plasmodium Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes

Plasmodium Life Cycle

sporozites

sporozites Gametes form in mosquito gut, combine to form zygotes

merozoite Offspring enter blood, cause malarial symptoms

Male and female gametocytes in blood

Euglenoids
Phylum Euglenophyta
Free-living flagellated cells that live in

freshwater Majority are photoautotrophs Some are heterotrophs that feed on dissolved organic compounds Sewage pollution indicator organisms

Euglenoid Body Plan

long flagellum contractile vacuole chloroplast

eyespot shielding a ER light-sensitive receptor nucleus Golgi body

mitochondrion pellicle

Chrysophytes

Phylum Chrysophyta
Mainly free-living photosynthetic cells Four groups:
- Golden algae - Yellow-green algae - Diatoms - Coccolithophores

Mixed Diatoms

Diatom Characteristics
Cell wall is composed of silica Two valves (halves) similar to a Petri dish Golden/green in color

Important primary producers in both marine and

freshwater ecosystems

Centric and Pennate Diatoms

Green Algae

Phylum Chlorophyta 7,000 species Resemble plants

Chlorophylls a and b Starch grains in chloroplasts Cell walls of cellulose, pectins
Ulva

Chlamydomonas Life Cycle

Zygote Diploid Haploid

Nuclear fusion

Meiosis, germination

Mitosis Cytoplasmic fusion Asexual reproduction Asexual reproduction

Sexual reproduction Gametes meet

Conjugating Spirogyra