Discussion on Bacteria
Humans are complex multicellular organisms, but we are not alone. Our body provides various habitats to trillions of bacteria. Scientists estimate that humans carry 10 times more bacteria than the number of the cells you are made of. The PBS video The Invisible Universe introduces the concept of microbiome and explains why we need bacteria to be healthy (click here for a transcript of this video). However, do not be fooled by these friendly bacteria as many have the potential to make you sick. Read the article Stop the Spread of Superbugs: Help Fight Drug-Resistant Bacteriaand explain:
- Why antibiotics target bacteria but not human cells.
- How the misuse or excess of antibiotics are responsible for the emergence of “superbugs” like MSRA
Solution Preview
Antibodies on Bacterial Cells, Human Cells and Superbugs.
Antibiotics aim bacteria cells and not human cells in the treatment of human infections because antibiotics action is based on unique methods to the bacteria, like processes of production of folic acid, cell walls and through bacteria precise aims in methods shared by the human cells and the bacterial cells comprising of protein vitamin synthesis. In cell wall production the cell wall is usually composed of peptidoglycan which is made of short peptides and amino sugars. The antigen then inhibits the last cross-networking process of trans-peptidation making the cell wall burst,
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