Category: Biology

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Bioremediation in Human Welfare

The use of naturally occurring or genetically engineered microorganisms to reduce or degrade pollutants is called bioremediation. Bioremediation is less expensive and more sustainable than other remediations available. It is grouped into in situ bioremediation (treatment of contaminated soil or water in the site) and ex situ bioremediation (treatment of contaminated soil or water that is removed from the site and treated).

Microorganisms involved in bioremediation

Aerobic microbes degrade the pollutants in the presence of oxygen. They mainly degrade pesticides and hydrocarbons. Pseudomonas putida is a genetically engineered microorganism (GEM). Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty obtained patent for this recombinant bacterial strain. It is multi- plasmid hydrocarbon degrading bacterium which can digest the hydrocarbons in the oil spills (Fig. 8.4).

Nitrosomonas europaea is also capable of degrading benzene and a variety of halogenated organic compounds including trichloroethylene and vinyl chloride. Ideonella sakaiensis is currently tried for recycling of PET plastics (Fig. 8.5). These bacteria use PETase and MHETase enzymes to breakdown PET plastic into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol.

Anaerobic microbes degrade the pollutants in the absence of oxygen. Dechloromonas aromatica has the ability to degrade benzene anaerobically and to oxidize toluene and xylene. Phanerochaete chrysosporium an anaerobic fungus exhibits strong potential for bioremediation of pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dyes, trinitrotoluene, cyanides, carbon tetrachloride, etc., Dehalococcoides species are responsible for anaerobic bioremediation of toxic trichloroethene to non-toxic ethane.

Pestalotiopsis microspora is a species of endophytic fungus capable of breaking down and digesting polyurethane. This makes the fungus a potential candidate for bioremediation projects involving large quantities of plastics.

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Microbes In The Production Of Biogas

Biogas is a mixture of different gases produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as agricultural wastes, manure, municipal wastes, plant material, sewage, food waste, etc., Biogas is produced under anaerobic condition, when the organic materials are converted through microbiological reactions into gas and organic fertilizer.

Biogas primarily consists of methane (63 percent), along with CO₂ and hydrogen. Methane producing bacteria are called methanogens and one such common bacterium is Methanobacterium.

Biogas is devoid of smell and burns with a blue flame without smoke. The Methanogens are also present in anaerobic sludge and rumen of cattle. In rumen, these bacteria help in the breakdown of cellulose. The excreta of cattle called dung is commonly called “Gobar”. Gobar gas is generated by the anaerobic decomposition of cattle dung. It consists of methane, CO₂ with some hydrogen, nitrogen and other gases in trace amounts.

In a biogas plant, anaerobic digestion is carried out in an air tight cylindrical tank known as digester (Fig. 8.3). It is made up of concrete bricks and cement or steel. Bio-wastes are collected and slurry of dung is fed into this digester. It has a side opening into which organic materials for digestion are incorporated for microbial activity. Anaerobic digestion is accomplished in three stages: solubilisation, acidogenesis and
methanogenisis.

The outlet is connected to a pipe to supply biogas. The slurry is drained through another outlet and is used as fertilizer. Biogas is used for cooking and lighting. The technology of biogas production was developed in India mainly due to the efforts of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

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Microbes In Sewage Treatment And Energy Generation

Sewage is the waste generated every day in cities and towns containing human excreta. It contains large amounts of organic matter and microbes, which are pathogenic to humans and are bio-degradable pollutants. Domestic waste consists of approximately 99 percent water, suspended solids and other soluble organic and inorganic substances. Sewage should not be discharged directly into natural water bodies like rivers and streams. Before disposal, sewage should be treated in sewage treatment plants to make it less polluting.

Microbes (mass of bacteria floc) are allowed to grow in aerated water (secondary treatment). They consume major part of organic matter in the effluent and reduce the BOD in the waste water (The details on waste water treatment are discussed in chapter 12).

Microbial fuel cell (MFC)

A microbial fuel cell is a bio-electrochemical system that drives an electric current by using bacteria and mimicking bacterial interaction found in nature (Fig. 8.2). Microbial fuel cells work by allowing bacteria to oxidize and reduce organic molecules.

Bacterial respiration is basically one big redox reaction in which electrons are being moved around. A MFC consists of an anode and a cathode separated by a proton exchange membrane. Microbes at the anode oxidize the organic fuel generating protons which pass through the membrane to the cathode and the electrons pass through the anode to the external circuit to generate current.

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Microbes In Industrial Products

Microbes are used to synthesize a number of products valuable to human beings. Products like beverages, antibiotics, organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, biofuels, single cell protein, enzymes, steroids, vaccines, pharmaceutical drugs, etc., are produced in industries.

Production on a large scale requires growing microbes in very large vessels called fermentors. A fermentor (bioreactor) is a closed vessel with adequate arrangement for aeration, agitation, temperature, pH control and drain or overflow vent to remove the waste biomass of cultured microorganisms along-with their products.

Antibiotic production

Antibiotics are chemical substances produced by microorganisms which can kill or retard the growth of other disease causing microbes even in low concentration. Antibiotic means “against life”. Antibiotics are used to treat diseases such as plague, meningitis, diphtheria, syphilis, leprosy, tuberculosis etc., Selman Waksman discovered Streptomycin and was the first to use the term “antibiotic” in 1943.

While working on Staphylococci bacteria, Alexander Fleming observed a green mould growing in one of his unwashed culture plates around which Staphylococci could not grow.

He found that it was due to a chemical produced by the mould and he named it as penicillin, which was the first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1926 (Fig. 8.1). Penicillin is produced by the fungi Penicillium notatum and Penicillium chrysogenum. It is bactericidal (antibiotics that kill bacteria) in action and inhibits the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.

Penicillin is also referred as the “queen of drugs” and its full potential as an effective antibiotic was established much later by Earnest Chain and Howard Florey when they treated the wounded soldiers in World War II with penicillin. Fleming, Chain and Florey were awarded the Nobel prize in 1945 for the discovery of penicillin.

Tetracycline is a broad spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic (antibiotics that limit the growth of bacteria) that inhibits microbial protein synthesis. Chlortetracycline is the first antibiotic of this group, isolated from the cultures of Streptomyces aureofaciens. Streptomycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic isolated from the actinomycetes, Streptomyces griseus. It is bactericidal against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, especially against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antibiotics, such as erythromycin, chloromycetin, griseofulvin, neomycin, kenamycin, bacitracin, etc., are also isolated as microbial products.

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to defeat the drug designed to kill or inhibit their growth. It is one of the most acute threat to public health. Antibiotic resistance is accelerated by the misuse and over use of antibiotics, as well as poor infection prevention control. Antibiotics should be used only when prescribed by a certified health professional. When the bacteria become resistant, antibiotics cannot fight against them and the bacteria multiply.

Narrow spectrum antibiotics are preferred over broad spectrum antibiotics. They effectively and accurately target specific pathogenic organisms and are less likely to cause resistance. “Superbug” is a term used to describe strains of bacteria that are resistant to the majority of antibiotics commonly used today.

Fermented beverages

Microbes especially yeast is being used from time immemorial for the production of beverages like wine, beer, whisky, brandy and rum. Wine is among the oldest alcoholic beverages known and is produced by fermentation of fruit juice by yeast. Zymology is an applied science which deals with the biochemical process of fermentation and its practical uses.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae commonly called brewer’s yeast is used for fermenting malted cereals and fruit juices to produce various alcoholic beverages. Wine and beer are produced without distillation, whereas whisky, brandy and rum are obtained by fermentation and distillation.

Oenology is the science and study of wine and wine making. Wine is made from the fermentation of grape juice. Grape juice is fermented by various strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae into alcohol. Grape wine is of two types, red wine and white wine. For red wine, black grapes are used including skins and sometimes the stems also are used. In contrast white wine is produced only from the juice of either white or red grapes without their skin and stems.

Beer is produced from germinated barley malt grain by Saccharomyces carlsbergensis or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Rum is made from fermented sugarcane or molasses or directly from sugarcane juice by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Whisky is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In some parts of South India, a traditional drink called pathaneer is obtained from fermenting sap of palms and coconut trees. A common source is tapping of unopened spadices of coconut. It is a refreshing drink, which on boiling produces jaggery or palm sugar. When pathaneer is lef undisturbed for few hours it gets fermented to form toddy with the help of naturally occurring yeast, to form a beverage that contains 4 percent alcohol. After 24 hours toddy becomes unpalatable and is used for the production of vinegar.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the major producer of ethanol (C₂H₅OH). It is used for industrial, laboratory and fuel purposes. So ethanol is referred to as industrial alcohol. Bacteria such as Zymomonas mobilis and Sarcina ventriculi are also involved in ethanol production. The principal substrates for the commercial production of industrial alcohol include molasses or corn, potatoes and wood wastes.

The process of ethanol production starts by milling a feed stock followed by the addition of dilute or fungal amylase (enzyme) from Aspergillus to break down the starch into fermentable sugars. Yeast is then added to convert the sugars to ethanol which is then distilled of to obtain ethanol which is upto 96 percent in concentration. The two most common type of biofuels in use today are ethanol and biodiesel, both of them represent the first generation of biofuel technology. Ethanol is often used as a fuel, mainly as a biofuel additive for gasoline.

Chemicals, enzymes and other bioactive molecules

Microbes are not only used for commercial and industrial production of alcohol, but also used for production of chemicals like organic acids and enzymes. Examples of organic acid producers are Aspergillus niger for citric acid, Acetobacter aceti for acetic acid, Rhizopus oryzae for fumaric acid, Clostridium butyricum for butyric acid and Lactobacillus for lactic acid.

Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and bacteria are used for commercial production of enzymes. Lipases are used in detergent formulations and are used for removing oily stains from the laundry. Bottled juices are clarified by the use ofpectinase, protease and cellulase. Rennet can also be used to separate milk into solid curds for cheese making.

Streptokinase produced by the bacterium Streptococcus and genetically engineered Streptococci are used as “clot buster” for removing clots from the blood vessels of patients who have undergone myocardial infarction.

Cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressant used in organ transplantation is produced from the fungus Trichoderma polysporum. It is also used for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties. Statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus have been used to lower blood cholesterol levels. It acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol. Recombinant human insulin has been produced predominantly using E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for therapeutic use in human.

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Microbes In Household Products

In every day life, microbes and their products are used in the preparation of idli, dosa, cheese, curd, yogurt, dough, bread, vinegar, etc., Bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. lactis and Streptococcus lactis commonly called lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are probiotics which check the growth of pathogenic microbes in the stomach and other parts of the digestive tract.

The LAB bacteria grows in milk and convert it into curd, thereby digesting the milk protein casein. A small amount of curd added to fresh milk as a starter or inoculum contains millions of Lactobacilli, which under suitable temperature (≤ 40°C) multiply and convert milk into curd. Curd is more nutritious than milk as it contains a number of organic acids and vitamins.

Yogurt is produced by bacterial fermentation of milk, and lactic acid is produced as a byproduct. Microorganisms such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus coagulate the milk protein and convert the lactose in the milk to lactic acid. The flavour in yogurt is due to acetaldehyde.

Cheese is a dairy product produced in a wide range of flavours, textures and is formed by coagulation of the milk protein, casein. During cheese production, milk is usually acidified and the enzyme rennet is added to cause coagulation. The solids are separated and pressed to form cheese. Most cheese are made with a starter bacteria, Lactococcus, Lactobacillus or Streptococcus.

Paneer (cottage cheese) is fresh cheese common in South Asia, especially in India. It is made by curdling milk with lemon juice, vinegar and other edible acids. Large holes in Swiss cheese is due to the production of large amount of carbon-di-oxide by the bacterium Propionibacterium shermanii.

The dough used in the preparation of idlis and dosas are fermented by the bacteria Leuconostoc mesenteroides whereas the dough used in bread making is fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker’s Yeast). Fermentation of glucose mainly forms ethyl alcohol and carbon di-oxide, which is responsible for leavening of dough. When leavened dough is baked, both carbon-di-oxide and ethyl alcohol evaporate making the bread porous and soft.

Single cell protein (SCP)

Single cell protein refers to edible unicellular microorganisms like Spirulina. Protein extracts from pure or mixed cultures of algae, yeasts, fungi or bacteria may be used as ingredient or as a substitute for protein rich foods and is suitable for human consumption or as animal feed.

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Mental Health – Depression

Mental health is a state of well being of the mind, with self esteem. Self esteem means liking yourself and being able to stand up for what you believe is right. Positive mental health is an important part of wellness. A mentally healthy person reflects a good personality. Activities of mentally healthy people are always appreciated and rewarded by the society as these persons are creative as well as cooperative with others. Mental health improves the quality of life.

Depression is a common mental disorder that causes people to experience depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep poor appetite, low energy and poor concentration.

Signs and symptoms of mental depression

• Loss of self confidence and self esteem
• Anxiety
• Not being able to enjoy things that are usually pleasurable or interesting

Lifestyle changes like exercise, meditation, yoga and healthy food habits can help to be relieved from depression. Exercise stimulates the body to produce serotonin and endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that suppress depression. Practicing exercise in daily life creates a positive attitude. Participating in an exercise programme can:

• Increase self-esteem
• Boost self-confidence
• Create a sense of empowerment
• Enhance social connections and relationships

Brain is one of the most metabolically active part of the body and needs a steady stream of nutrients to function. A poor diet may not provide the nutrients for a healthy body and may provoke symptoms of anxiety and depression.

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Adolescence – Drug And Alcohol Abuse

Adolescence begins with a period of rapid physical and sexual development called puberty to maturity at 12 to 19 years of age. Adolescence is also a highly dynamic period of psychological and social changes in individuals. Adolescents are vulnerable to group (peer) pressure and many youngsters are pushed into experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Proper education and guidance would enable youth to say no
to drugs and alcohol and to follow a healthy life style.

Alcohol is a psychoactive drug, which acts on the brain, affcting a person’s mind and behaviour. It is a depressant, which slows down the activity of the nervous system. The intake of certain drugs for a purpose other than their normal clinical use in an amount and frequency that impair one’s physical, physiological and psychological functions is called drug abuse.

The drugs which are commonly abused include opioids, cannabinoids, coca-alkaloids, barbiturates, amphetamines and LSD. Opioids are drugs which bind to specific opioid receptors present in the central nervous system and intestinal tract.

Heroin (smack) is chemically diacetyl morphine, which is white, odourless and bitter crystalline compound. It is obtained by acetylation of morphine, which is extracted from flwers of the poppy plant (Fig. 7.19). Morphine is one of the strongest pain killer and is used during surgery. It is the most widely abused narcotic drug which acts as a depressant and slows down body functions.

Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals obtained from Cannabis sativa, the Indian hemp plant (Fig. 7.20). Natural cannabinoids are the main source of marijuana, ganja, hashish and charas. It interferes in the transport of the neurotransmitter, dopamine and has a potent stimulating action on the CNS, producing increased energy and a sense of euphoria.

Cocaine is a white powder that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant, Erythroxylum coca. It is commonly called coke or crack. Cocaine causes serious physical and psychological problems including hallucinations and paranoia. The other plants with hallucinogenic properties are Atropa belladonna and Datura (Fig. 7.21 and Fig. 7.22).

Drugs like methamphetamine, amphetamines, barbiturates, tranquilizers, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are normally used as medicine to treat patients with mental illness like depression and insomnia and are often abused.

Tobacco is smoked, chewed and used as snuff. It increases the carbon monoxide content of blood and reduces the concentration of haem bound oxygen, thus causing oxygen deficiency in the body. Tobacco contains nicotine, carbon monoxide and tars, which cause problems in the heart, lung and nervous system. Adrenal glands are stimulated by nicotine to release adrenaline and nor adrenaline which increases blood
pressure and heart beat.

Addiction and dependence

Addiction is a physical or psychological need to do or take or use certain substance such as alcohol, to the point where it could be harmful to the individual. This addictive behaviour can be personally destructive to a person. Overtime addicts start to lose not only their jobs, homes and money, but also friendship, family relationships and contact with the normal world. Addiction to drugs and alcohol can lead to a psychological attachment to certain effects such as euphoria and temporary feeling of well being.

Repeated use of drugs and alcohol may affect the tolerance level of the receptors present in the body. These receptors then respond only to highest doses of drugs and alcohol leading to greater intake and addiction. Excessive use of drug and alcohol leads to physical and psychological dependence. When psychological dependence develops, the drug user gets mentally ‘hooked on’ to the drug. The drug user constantly thinks only about the drug and has continuous uncontrollable craving for it.

This state called “euphoria” is characterized by mental and emotional preoccupation with the drug. Physical dependence is a state in which the user’s body requires a continuous presence of the drug. If the intake of the drug or alcohol is abruptly stopped, he or she would develop withdrawal symptoms. In a sense, the body becomes confused and protests against the absence of the drug.

The withdrawal symptoms may range from mild tremors to convulsions, severe agitation and fish, depressed mood, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, dryness of throat, etc, depending on the type of drug abuse.

Effects of drugs and alcohol

Short-term effect appears only for a few minutes after the intake of drugs and alcohol. The abuser feels a false sense of well being and a pleasant drowsiness. Some short term effects are euphoria, pain, dullness of senses, alteration in behaviour, blood pressure, narcosis (deep sleep), nausea and vomiting.

Drugs and alcohol have long-term effect that lead to serious damages, because of the constant and excessive use. The physical and mental disturbance makes the life of the user unbearable and torturous. For example heavy drinking permanently damages the liver and brain.

The use of alcohol during adolescence may have long-term effects. Alcohol interferes with the ability of the liver to break down fat. Over time fat accumulation and high levels of alcohol destroy the liver cells and a scar tissue grows in the place of dead cells.

This scarring of the liver is called “Liver cirrhosis”. Alcohol irritates the stomach lining due to the production of excess acid leading to ulcers. Excessive alcohol use weakens the heart muscle, causing scar tissue to build up in the cardiac muscle fiers. As a result, heavy drinkers have an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, coronary artery disease and heart attack. Korsakof syndrome, a chronic memory disorder is most commonly caused by alcohol misuse.

Prevention and control

It is practically possible to prevent some one from using drugs and alcohol. Here are some ways that help to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

1. Effectively dealing with peer pressure

The biggest reason for teens to start on drugs is due to their friends / peer groups imposing pressure on them. Hence, it is important to have a better group of friends to avoid such harmful drugs and alcohol.

2. Seeking help from parents and peers

Help from parents and peer group should be sought immediately so that they can be guided appropriately. Help may even be sought from close and trusted friends. Getting proper advice to sort out their problems would help the young to vent their feelings of anxiety and guilt.

3. Education and counselling

Education and counselling create positive attitude to deal with many problems and to accept disappointments in life.

4. Looking for danger signs

Teachers and parents need to look for sign that indicate tendency to go in for addiction.

5. Seeking professional and medical assistance

Assistance is available in the form of highly qualified psychologists, psychiatrists and de-addiction and rehabilitation programmes to help individuals to overcome their problems.

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Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmunity is due to an abnormal immune response in which the immune system fails to properly distinguish between self and non-self and attacks its own body. Our body produces antibodies (auto antibodies) and cytotoxic T cells that destroy our own tissues.

If a disease-state results, it is referred to as auto-immune disease. Ths, autoimmunity is a misdirected immune response. Autoimmunity is evidenced by the presence of auto antibodies and T cells that are reactive with host antigens. When the cells act as antigens in the same body, they are called autoantigens. Autoimmune diseases in human can be divided into two broad categories, namely organspecific and non-organ-specific (systemic) autoimmune diseases.

In organ-specific disease, the autoimmune process is directed mostly against one organ. The auto antibodies may block the functions performed by the organs. Examples include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease (thyroid gland) and Addison’s disease (adrenal glands).

In non-organ specific (systemic) disorders, autoimmune activity is widely spread throughout the body. Rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis are example for systemic disorder.

Tumour immunology

A tumour or neoplasm is a group of cells whose growth has gone unchecked. When a tumour continues to grow and invades healthy tissue, it is called cancer. They spread to other parts of the body from the tumour and give rise to secondary tumour. This is known as metastasis.

Tumour may be benign or malignant depending on its characteristics. Benign or non-cancerous tissues are capable of indefinite growth and do not invade other body parts. In the malignant tumour, the cells grow indefiitely, detach and migrate into healthy surrounding tissues.

In normal cells, cell growth and diffrentiation is highly controlled and regulated. But in cancer cells, there is breakdown of this regulatory mechanism. Normal cells show a property called contact inhibition, which inhibits uncontrolled growth. Cancer cells do not have this property. As a result, cancerous cells divide continuously giving rise to mass of tissues called tumours (Table 7.8).

When a cell undergoes malignant transformation, it acquires new surface antigen and may also lose some normal antigens. These antigens are present on the membranes of malignant cells and they induce an immune response. Both humoral and cellular responses can be observed in malignancy. Cancer cells can avoid immune detection as they are not foreign bodies but are abnormally functioning body cells. This makes them difficult to treat.

The concept of immunological surveillance postulates that the primary function of the immune system is to “seek and destroy” malignant cells that arise by somatic mutation. The efficiency of the surveillance mechanism reduces either as a result of ageing or due to congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, leads to increased incidence of cancer. This, if immunological surveillance is effective, cancer should not occur. The development of tumour represents a lapse in surveillance.

Immunotherapy of cancer

Immunotherapy also called biological therapy uses substances made by the body or in a laboratory (monoclonal antibodies) to improve or to resist the immune system function. Different approaches have been attempted in the immunotherapy of cancer. Immunotherapy appears to be important in getting rid of the residual malignant cells after the gross tumour has been removed. The best results in the treatment of cancer is to follow an integrated approach to therapy, combining surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

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Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency results from the failure of one or more components of the immune system. Primary immune deficiencies are caused by genetic developmental defects. Secondary immune deficiencies arise due to various reasons like radiation, use of cytolytic and immunosuppressive drugs and infections. AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. It is the deficiency of immune system, acquired during the life time of an individual indicating that it is not a congenital disease. AIDS is caused by Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV).

It selectively infects helper T cells. The infected helper T cells will not stimulate antibody production by B-cells resulting in loss of natural defence against viral infection. On the basis of genetic characteristics and differences in the viral antigens, HIV is classified into the types 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2).

Structure of HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus belongs to the genus Lentivirus. When observed under the electron microscope, HIV is seen as a spherical virus, 100-120 nm in diameter, containing a dense core surrounded by a lipoprotein envelope. The envelope has glycoprotein (gp) spikes termed gp 41 and gp 120. At the core, there are two large single stranded RNA. Attached to the RNA are molecules of reverse transcriptase.

It also contains enzymes like protease and ribonuclease. The core is covered by a capsid made of proteins. This is followed by another layer of matrix proteins as shown in the Fig 7.18.

HIV Transmission

The HIV is often located within the cells especially in macrophages. HIV can survive for 1.5 days inside a cell but only about 6 hours outside a cell. Routes of HIV transmission include unsafe sexual contact, blood-contaminated needles, organ transplants, blood transfusion and vertical transmission from HIV infected mother to child. HIV is not transmitted by insects or by casual contact.

After getting into the body of the person, the virus enters into macrophages where RNA genome of the virus replicates to form viral DNA with the help of the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This viral DNA gets incorporated into the DNA of host cells and directs the infected cells to produce viral particles.

The macrophages continue to produce virus and in this way acts like a HIV factory. Simultaneously, HIV enters into helper T-lymphocytes, replicates and produces progeny viruses. The progeny viruses released in the blood attack other helper T-lymphocytes.

This is repeated, leading to a progressive decrease in the number of helper T lymphocytes in the body of the infected person. During this period, the person suffers from bouts of fever, diarrhoea and weight loss. Due to decrease in the number of helper T lymphocytes, the person starts suffering from infections and becomes immune defiient and unable to protect against any infection.

A simple blood test is available that can determine whether the person has been infected with HIV. The ELISA test (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) detects the presence of HIV antibodies. It is a preliminary test. Western blot test is more reliable and a confimatory test. It detects the viral core proteins.
If both tests detect the presence of the antibodies, the person is considered to be HIV positive.

AIDS has no cure. Prevention of AIDS is the best option. Advocating safe sex and promoting regular check-up, safe blood for transfusion, use of disposable needles, use of condoms during sexual contact, prevention of drug abuse, AIDS awareness programme by NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation), NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations) and WHO are to prevent the spreading of AIDS.

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Basic Concepts Of Immunology

Immunology is the study of immune system. This system protects an individual from various infective agents. It refers to all the mechanisms used by the body for protection from environmental agents that are foreign to the body.

When the immune system does not function efficiently in an individual, it leads to infection causing disease. The overall ability of body to fight against the disease causing pathogen is called immunity. It is also called disease resistance and the lack of immunity is known as susceptibility. Immunity is highly specific.

Normally many of the responses of the immune system initiate the destruction and elimination of invading organisms and any toxic molecules produced by them. These immune reactions are destructive in nature and are made in response only to molecules that are foreign to the host and not to those of host itself. This ability to distinguish foreign molecules from self is another fundamental feature of the immune system.

However, occasionally, it fails to make its distinction and reacts destructively against the host’s own molecules; such autoimmune diseases can be fatal to the organism. Almost all the macromolecules e.g. proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, etc., as long as they are foreign to recipient organism can induce immune response. Any substance capable of eliciting immune response is called an ANTIGEN (ANTIbody GENerator). There are two broad classes of immunity responses namely, innate immunity and acquired immunity (Fig. 7.9).

Innate immunity

Innate immunity is the natural phenomenon of resistance to infection which an individual possesses right from the birth. The innate defense mechanisms are non-specific in the sense that they are effective against a wide range of potentially infectious agents. It is otherwise known as non-specifi immunity or natural immunity.

A number of innate defense mechanisms are operative non-specifially against a large number of microorganisms as shown in the Table 7.4 and Fig. 7.10.

Acquired immunity

The immunity that an individual acquires after birth is known as acquired immunity. It is the body’s resistance to a specific pathogen. The unique features of acquired immunity are antigenic specificity, diversity, recognition of self and non-self and immunological memory.

Components of acquired immunity

Acquired immunity has two components – cell mediated immunity (CMI) and antibody mediated immunity or humoral immunity.

1. Cell mediated immunity

When pathogens are destroyed by cells without producing antibodies, then it is known as cell mediated immune response or cell mediated immunity. This is brought about by T cells, macrophages and natural killer cells.

2. Antibody mediated immunity or humoral immunity

When pathogens are destroyed by the production of antibodies, then it is known as antibody mediated or humoral immunity. This is brought about by B cells with the help of antigen presenting cells and T helper cells. Antibody production is the characteristic feature of vertebrates only.

Types of acquired immunity

Acquired immunity may be active immunity or passive immunity (Table 7.5).

The immunological resistance developed by the organisms through the production of antibodies in their body is called active immunity. Active immunity is acquired through the use of a person’s immune responses, which lead to the development of memory cells. Active immunity results from an infection or an immunization.

Passive immunity does not require the body to produce antibodies to antigens. The antibodies are introduced from outside into the organism. This, passive immunity is acquired without the activation of a person’s immune response, and therefore there is no memory.

Immune responses

The immune responses may be primary or secondary (Table 7.6).

Primary immune response

The primary immune response occurs when a pathogen comes in contact with the immune system for the first time. During this, the immune system has to learn to recognize the antigen, produce antibody against it and eventually produce memory lymphocytes. The primary immune response is slow and short-lived.

Secondary immune response

The secondary immune response occurs when a person is exposed to the same antigen again. During this time, immunological memory has been established and the immune system can start producing antibodies immediately. Within hours after recognition of the antigen, a new army of plasma cells are generated. Within 2 to 3 days, the antibody concentration in the blood rises steeply to reach much higher level than primary response. This is also called as “booster response”.

Lymphoid organs

Immune system of an organism consists of several structurally and functionally different organs and tissues that are widely dispersed in the body. The organs involved in the origin, maturation and proliferation of lymphocytes are called lymphoid organs (Fig. 7.11).

Based on their functions, they are classified into primary or central lymphoid organs and secondary or peripheral lymphoid organs. The primary lymphoid organs provide appropriate environment for lymphocytic maturation. The secondary lymphoid organs trap antigens and make it available for mature lymphocytes, which can effectively fiht against these antigens.

Primary lymphoid organs

Bursa of Fabricius of birds, bone marrow and thymus gland of mammals constitute the primary lymphoid organs involved in the production and early selection of lymphocytes. These lymphocytes become dedicated to a particular antigenic specificity. Only when the lymphocytes mature in the primary lymphoidal organs, they become immunocompetent cells. In mammals, B cell maturation occurs in the bone marrow and T cells maturation occurs in the thymus.

Thymus

The thymus is a flat and bilobed organ located behind the sternun, above the heart. Each lobe of the thymus contains numerous lobules, separated from each other by connective tissue called septa. Each lobule is differentiated into two compartments, the outer compartment or outer cortex, is densely packed with immature T cells called thymocytes, whereas the inner compartment or medulla is sparsely populated with
mature thymocytes.

One of its main secretions is the hormone thymosin. It stimulates the T cell to become mature and immunocompetent. By the early teens, the thymus begins to atrophy and is replaced by adipose tissue (Fig. 7.12). Thus thymus is most active during the neonatal and pre-adolescent periods.

Bone marrow

Bone marrow is a lymphoid tissue found within the spongy portion of the bone. Bone marrow contains stem cells known as haematopoietic cells. These cells have the potential to multiply through cell division and either remain as stem cells or differentiate and mature into different kinds of blood cells.

Secondary or peripheral lymphoid organs

In secondary or peripheral lymphoid organs, antigen is localized so that it can be effectively exposed to mature lymphocytes. The best examples are lymph nodes, appendix, Peyer’s patches of gastrointestinal tract, tonsils, adenoids, spleen, MALT (Mucosal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue), GALT (Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue), BALT (Bronchial/Tracheal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue).

Lymph node

Lymph node is a small bean-shaped structure and is part of the body’s immune system. It is the first one to encounter the antigen that enters the tissue spaces. Lymph nodes filter and trap substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid. They are packed tightly with white blood cells, namely lymphocytes and macrophages. There are hundreds of lymph nodes found throughout the body.

They are connected to one another by lymph vessels. Lymph is a clear, transparent, colourless, mobile and extracellular fluid connective tissue. As the lymph percolates through the lymph node, the particulate antigen brought in by the lymph will be trapped by the phagocytic cells, follicular and interdigitating dendritic cells.

Lymph node has three zones (Fig. 7.13). They are the cortex, paracortex and medulla. The outer most layer of the lymph node is called cortex, which consists of B-lymphocytes, macrophages, and follicular dendritic cells. The paracortex zone is beneath the cortex, which is richly populated by T lymphocytes and interdigitating dendritic cells. The inner most zone is called the medulla which is sparsely populated by lymphocytes, but many of them are plasma cells, which actively secrete antibody molecules.

As the lymph enters, it slowly percolates through the cortex, paracortex and medulla, giving sufficient chance for the phagocytic cells and dendritic cells to trap the antigen brought by the lymph. The lymph leaving a node carries enriched antibodies secreted by the medullary plasma cells against the antigens that enter the lymph node. Sometimes visible swelling of lymph nodes occurs due to active immune response and increased concentration of lymphocytes.

This swollen lymph nodes may signal an infection. There are several groups of lymph nodes. The most frequently enlarged lymph nodes are found in the neck, under the chin, in the armpits and in the groin.

Cells of the immune system

The immune system is composed of many interdependent cells that protect the body from microbial infections and the growth of tumour cells. The cellular composition of adult human blood is given in Table 7.7.

All these cells are derived from pluripotent haematopoetic stem cells. Each stem cell has the capacity to produce RBC, WBC and platelets. The only cells capable of specifially recognising and producing an immune response are the lymphocytes. The other types of white blood cells play an important role in non specific immune response, antigen presentation and cytokine production.

Lymphocytes

About 20-30% of the white blood cells are lymphocytes. They have a large nucleus filling most of the cell, surrounded by a little cytoplasm. The two main types of lymphocytes are B and T lymphocytes. Both these are produced in the bone marrow. B lymphocytes (B cells) stay in the bone marrow until they are mature. Then they circulate around the body. Some remain in the blood, while others accumulate in the lymph
nodes and spleen. T lymphocytes leave the bone marrow and mature in the thymus gland.

Once mature, T cells also accumulate in the same areas of the body as B cells. Lymphocytes have receptor proteins on their surface. When receptors on a B cell bind with an antigen, the B cell becomes activated and divides rapidly to produce plasma cells. The plasma cells produce antibodies. Some B cells do not produce antibodies but become memory cells. These cells are responsible for secondary immune response. T lymphocytes do not produce antibodies. Thy recognize antigenpresenting cells and destroy them.

The two important types of T cells are Helper T cells and Killer T cells. Helper T cells release a chemical called cytokine which activates B cells. Killer cells move around the body and destroy cells which are damaged or infected (Fig. 7.14).

Apart from these cells neutrophils and monocytes destroy foreign cells by phagocytosis. Monocytes when they mature into large cells, they are called macrophages which perform phagocytosis on any foreign organism.

Antigens

The term antigen (Ag) is used in two senses, the first to describe a molecule which generates an immune response and the second, a molecule which reacts with antibodies. In general antigens are large, complex molecular substances that can induce a detectable immune response. This an antigen is a substance that is specific to an antibody or a T-cell receptor and is often used as a synonym for immunogen.

An immunogen is a substance capable of initiating an immune response. Haptens are substance that are non-immunogenic but can react with the products of a specific immune response. Substances that can enhance the immune response to an antigen are called adjuvants. Epitope is an antigenic determinant and is the active part of an antigen. A paratope is the antigen – binding site and is a part of an antibody which
recognizes and binds to an antigen.

Types of antigens

On the basis of origin, antigens are classified into exogenous antigens and endogenous antigens. The antigens which enter the host from the outside in the form of microorganisms, pollens, drugs, or pollutants are called exogenous antigens. The antigens which are formed within the individual are endogenous antigens. The best examples are blood group antigens.

Antibodies

Antibodies are immunoglobulin (Ig) protein molecules synthesized on exposure to antigen that can combine specifically with the antigen. Whenever pathogens enter our body, the B-lymphocytes produce an army of proteins called antibodies to fight with them. Thus, they are secreted in response to an antigen (Ag) by the effect of B cells called plasma cells. The antibodies are classified into five major categories, based on their physiological and biochemical properties. They are IgG (gamma), IgM (mu), IgA (alpha), IgD (delta) and IgE (epsilon).

In the 1950s, experiments by Porter and Edelman revealed the basic structure of the immunoglobulin. An antibody molecule is Y shaped
structure that comprises of four polypeptide chains, two identical light chains (L) of molecular weight 25,000 Da (approximately 214 amino acids) and
two identical heavy chains (H) of molecular weight 50,000 Da (approximately 450 amino acids).

The polypeptide chains are linked together by di-sulphide (S-S) bonds. One light chain is attached to each heavy chain and two heavy chains are attached to each other to form a Y shaped (Fig. 7.15) structure. Hence, an antibody is represented by H₂ L₂. The heavy chains have a flexible hinge region at their approximate middles.

Each chain (L and H) has two terminals. They are C – terminal (Carboxyl) and amino or N-terminal. Each chain (L and H) has two regions. They have variable (V) region at one end and a much larger constant (C) region at the other end. Antibodies responding to different antigens have very different (V) regions but their (C) regions are the same in all antibodies.

In each arm of the monomer antibody, the (V) regions of the heavy and light chains combines to form an antigen – binding site shaped to ‘fit’ a specific antigenic determinant. Consequently each antibody monomer has two such antigen – binding regions. The (C) regions that forms the stem of the antibody monomer determine the antibody class and serve common functions in all antibodies. The functions of immunoglobulin are agglutination, precipitation, opsonisation, neutralization etc.,

Antigen – antibody interaction

The reaction between an antigen and antibody is the basis for humoral immunity or antibody mediated immunity. The reaction between antigen and antibody occurs in three stages. During the first stage, the reaction involves the formation of antigen – antibody complex. The next stage leads to visible events like precipitation, agglutination, etc., The final stage includes destruction of antigen or its neutralization (Fig. 7.16).

Binding force of antigen – antibody reaction

The binding force between antigen and antibody is due to three factors. They are closeness between antigen and antibody, noncovalent bonds or intermolecular forces and affinity of antibody.

When antigen and antibody are closely fitted, the strength of binding is great. When they are apart binding strength is low. The bonds that hold the antigen to the antibody combining site are all non-covalent in nature. These include hydrogen bonds, electrostatic bonds, Van der Waals forces and hydrophobic bonds. Antibody affinity is the strength of the reaction between a single antigenic determinant and a single combining site on the antibody.

The chiefapplication of antigen – antibody reactions are to determine blood groups for transfusion, to study serological ascertainment of exposure to infectious agents, to develop immunoassays for the quantification of various substances, to detect the presence or absence of protein in serum and to determine the characteristics of certain immunodeficiency diseases.

Different types of antigen and antibody reactions

The reaction between soluble antigen and antibody leads to visible precipitate formation, which is called precipitin reaction. Antibodies that bring about precipitate formation on reacting with antigens are called as precipitins.

Whenever a particulate antigen interacts with its antibody, it would result in clumping or agglutination of the particulate antigen, which is called agglutination reaction. The antibody involved in bringing about agglutination reaction is called agglutinin.

Opsonisation or enhanced attachment is the process by which a pathogen is marked of ingestion and destruction by a phagocyte. Opsonisation involves the binding of an opsonin i.e., antibody, to a receptor on the pathogen’s cell membrane.

After opsonin binds to the membrane, phagocytes are attracted to the pathogen. So, opsonisation is a process in which pathogens are coated with a substance called an opsonin, marking the pathogen out for destruction by the immune system. This results in a much more efficient phagocytosis.

The neutralization reactions are the reactions of antigen-antibody that involve the elimination of harmful effects of bacterial exotoxins or a virus by specific antibodies. These neutralizing substances i.e., antibodies are known as antitoxins. This specific antibody is produced by a host cell in response to a bacterial exotoxin or corresponding toxoid (inactivated toxin).

Vaccines

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular disease and resembles a disease-causing microorganism and is often made from weakened or attenuated or killed forms of the microbes, their toxins, or one of its surface proteins.

Vaccines “teach” our body how to defend itself when viruses or bacteria, invade it. Vaccines deliver only very little amounts of inactivated or weakened viruses or bacteria, or parts of them. This allows the immune system to recognize the organism without actually experiencing the disease. Some vaccines need to be given more than once (i.e., a ‘booster’ vaccination) to make sure the immune system can overcome a real infection in the future.

Vaccine initiates the immunization process. The vaccines are classified as first, second and third generation vaccines. First generation vaccine is further subdivided into live attenuated vaccine, killed vaccine and toxoids (Fig. 7.17). Live attenuated vaccines use the weakened (attenuated), aged, less virulent form of the virus. E.g. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, Killed (inactivated) vaccines are killed or inactivated by heat and other methods. E.g. Salk’s polio vaccine.

Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin or chemical secreted by the bacteria or virus. They make us immune to the harmful effects of the infection, instead of to the infection itself. E.g. DPT vaccine (Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus).

Second generation vaccine contains the pure surface antigen of the pathogen. E.g.Hepatitis-B vaccine. Third generation vaccine contains the purest and the highest potency vaccines which are synthetic in generation. The latest revolution in vaccine is DNA vaccine or recombinant vaccine (Refer Chapter- 9 for details).

Vaccination and immunization

“Vaccination is the process of administrating a vaccine into the body or the act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.” Immunization is the process of the body building up immunity to a particular disease.

Immunization describes the actual changes in the body after receiving a vaccine. Vaccines work by fighting the pathogen and then recording it in their memory system to ensure that the next time this pathogen enters the body, it is eliminated far quickly. Once, the body is able to fight against the disease, it is believed to have built the immunity for it, also known as the body being immunized against the disease.

Hypersensitivity

Some of the individuals are very sensitive to some particles present in the environment. The exaggerated response of the immune system to certain antigens present in the environment is called allergy (allo-altered, erg-reaction). The substances to which such an immune response is produced are called allergens. An allergen is an antigen that causes an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions begin within few seconds after the contact with the allergen and last about half an hour.

The common examples of allergens are mites in dust, pollens and some proteins in insect venom. Hay fever and asthma are some common examples of allergy. Symptoms of allergic reactions include sneezing, watery eyes, running nose and difficulty in breathing.

Allergy is a form of over active immune response mediated by IgE and mast cells. It can also be due to the release of chemicals like histamine and serotonin from the mast cells. Anaphylaxis is the classical immediate hypersensitivity reaction. It is a sudden, systematic, severe and immediate hypersensitivity reaction occurring as a result of rapid generalized mast-cell degranulation.

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Maintenance Of Personal And Public Hygiene

Hygiene is a set of practices performed to conserve good health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hygiene refers to “conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases.”

Personal hygiene refers to maintaining one’s body clean by bathing, washing hands, trimming fingernails, wearing clean clothes and also includes attention to keeping surfaces in the home and workplace, including toilets, bathroom facilities, clean and pathogen-free.

Our public places teem with infection, contamination and germs. It seems that every surface we touch and the air we breathe are with pollutants and microbes. It’s not just the public places that are unclean, but we might be amazed at the number of people who do not wash their hands before taking food, after visiting the restroom, or who sneeze without covering their faces. Many infectious diseases such as typhoid, amoebiasis and ascariasis are transmitted through contaminated food and water.

Advancement in science and technology provide effective controlling measures for many infectious and non-infectious diseases. The use of vaccines and adopted immunization programmes have helped to eradicate small pox in India. Moreover a large number of infectious diseases like polio, diphtheria, pneumonia and tetanus have been controlled by the use of vaccines and by creating awareness among the people.