Cosmarium

Class: chlorophceae Order: Zygnematales Family: Desmidiaceae Genus: Cosmarium Cosmarium is a uni-cellular fresh water desmids occurring in ponds, rich in organic decaying matter, along with other free-floating algae. Usually it occurs in abundance in mucilaginous masses along the wall of reservoirs and water tanks especially in winter' The cell posses a distinct median constriction called sinus. This divides them in to two distinct halves called semi- cells. Which remains join together by a connecting zone called isthmus. Each semi-cell maybe circular, elliptical or oval in shape. The cells posses a three layered transversely segmented...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Anabaena

Kingdom: Bacteria Division: Cyanophyta Class: Cyanophyceae Order: Nostocales Family: Nostocaceae Genus: Anabaena Anabaena is the filamentous form found occurring either in the single filament or as free-floating colonies or in a delicate means the stratum in permanent or semi- permanent form. Some spices of anabaena are endophytic and have within roots of circus and aquatic pteriodophyte azolla. The Trico are the same thickness through out, sometimes slightly alternated at the typical ends. They are straight cercinated or irregularly contorted concurringly with a hyaline watery sheet. The cells are usually spherical or barrel shaped .they...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Basic Structure of an Amino Acid

Basic Structure All amino acids found in proteins have this basic structure, differing only in the structure of the R-group or the side chain. The simplest, and smallest, amino acid found in proteins is glycine for which the R-group is hydrogen (H). L-isomerIn proteins, only the L-isomer is found normally. As you travel onward (from the carbonyl carbon to the amino group), the R group of L-amino acids will be on the left as shown in the molecular graphic on the right Essential amino acids Humans can produce 10 of the 20 amino acids. The others must be supplied in the food....

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Posted in: Biotechnology

Scenedesmus

Scenedesmus is a widely distributed green algae found freely in stagnant water. It appears in pure culture in aquarium and in jar containing standing uncharged water in the laboratory. It is colonial form with a number of cells in the coenobium (colony) being multiplies of two usually 4-8 cells. The cell are ellipsoidal or fusiform in shape and arranged in single or double series with long axis, parallel to one another so as to form a flat or curve plain. The two end cells of the coenobium may differ from the shape of the others and often teeth or spines or gelatinous bristles, which are projections of the mucilaginous cell envelope .each...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Spirulina

Spirulina is a planktonic blue green algae found growing in fresh water bodies, sewages etc. it consists of a unicellular trichrome’ which is helically or spirally twisted and hence the name Spirulina. Each cell is typically cyanophyceae and is bounded by the cell wall enclosing the protoplasm and is differentiated in to outer pigmented chromoplasm consisting of the pigment phycocyanin and chlorophyll which give the green colour to the algae . The inner centroplasm consists of the incipient nucleus. Reserved food materials such as cyanophytin starch, cyanophytin granules (protein) and oil globules are present in the cytoplasm Reproduction...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Chlorella

Chlorella is a green algae generally found to occur as a plankton in fresh water bodies and damp walls, rocks etc. The thallus is unicellular some times growing small groups and colonies. Each cell is small cylindrical or ellipsoidal in shape. The cell is surrounded by 3 layered cell wall. The wall shows the presence of sporopollinin. Each cell posses a single large cup shaped chloroplast which is parietal in position. The cells are unicellular. The nucleus lies in the chloroplast cup, other cell organelles like mitochondrion, ribosome etc are present. Asexual reproduction takes place by the formation of non-motile autospores. Two to sixteen...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Spirogyra

Spirogyra commonly called “pond silk” occurs in extensive muscles in living bright green free floating algae on the surface of stagnant ponds’ slowly running streams and fresh water streams. The thallus or plant body consists of long slender thread like un-branched filaments which are slimy to touch due to mucilage on there outer wall .A cell enlargedEach filament is composed of a single raw of similar cylindrical cells. Each cell consists of a cell wall made up of cellulose and protein in definite within the cell wall is a parietal layer of protoplasm enclosing a large central vacuoles. In the protoplasm is embedded 1-14 chloroplast.Each...

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Posted in: Microbiology

The Influenza (Flu) Virus

ext to the common cold, influenza or "the flu" is perhaps the most familiar respiratory infection in the world. In the United States alone, approximately 25 to 50 million people contract influenza each year. The symptoms of the flu are similar to those of the common cold, but tend to be more severe. Fever, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness and pain, sore throat, dry cough, and a runny or stuffy nose are common and may develop rapidly. Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with influenza are sometimes experienced by children, but for most adults, illnesses that manifest in diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are not caused by the influenza virus though...

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Posted in: Microbiology

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Perhaps no disease is more strongly identified with the late twentieth century than acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, commonly known as AIDS. Yet, according to a 2004 United Nations report on the state of the global AIDS epidemic, the disease has not yet begun to reduce its grip on the world population despite the fact that AIDS does not generally receive the same amount of public attention as it once did. On the contrary, infections are on the rise in many countries, including high income nations such as the United States. In 2003, nearly five million people contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS, the greatest number...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Plant Cell Structure

Plants are unique among the eukaryotes, organisms whose cells have membrane-enclosed nuclei and organelles, because they can manufacture their own food. Chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color, enables them to use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars and carbohydrates, chemicals the cell uses for fuel. ...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Bacteria Cell Structure

They are as unrelated to human beings as living things can be, but bacteria are essential to human life and life on planet Earth. Although they are notorious for their role in causing human diseases, from tooth decay to the Black Plague, there are beneficial species that are essential to good health....

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Posted in: Microbiology

Animal Cell Structure

Animal cells are typical of the eukaryotic cell, enclosed by a plasma membrane and containing a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. Unlike the eukaryotic cells of plants and fungi, animal cells do not have a cell wall. This feature was lost in the distant past by the single-celled organisms that gave rise to the kingdom Animalia. Most cells, both animal and plant, range in size between 1 and 100 micrometers and are thus visible only with the aid of a microscope. The lack of a rigid cell wall allowed animals to develop a greater diversity of cell types, tissues, and organs. Specialized cells that formed nerves and muscles—tissues impossible...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Introduction to Cell and Virus Structure

At first glance, the petal of a flower or the skin on the back of a human hand may seem smooth and seamless, as if they were composed of a single, indistinct substance. In reality, however, many tiny individual units called cells make up these objects and almost all other components of plants and animals. The average human body contains over 75 trillion cells, but many life forms exist as single cells that perform all the functions necessary for independent existence. Most cells are far too small to be seen with the naked eye and require the use of high-power optical and electron microscopes for careful examination. The relative scale of...

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Posted in: Microbiology

Virus Structure

Viruses are not plants, animals, or bacteria, but they are the quintessential parasites of the living kingdoms. Although they may seem like living organisms because of their prodigious reproductive abilities, viruses are not living organisms in the strict sense of the word. Without a host cell, viruses cannot carry out their life-sustaining functions or reproduce. They cannot synthesize proteins, because they lack ribosomes and must use the ribosomes of their host cells to translate viral messenger RNA into viral proteins. Viruses cannot generate or store energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), but have to derive their energy,...

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Posted in: Microbiology

DISEASES

Communicable diseases are those caused by viruses, bacteria, and other microbes. Among the most well-known communicable diseases, otherwise known as infectious diseases, include sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and leprosy.These diseases are readily transferable, often through contact with someone carrying the disease.They can be spread by direct human contact, through air or water, and by insects. Many health officials predict an increase in communicable diseases in the coming years, including the reemergence of diseases such as tuberculosis that were thought to have been virtually eradicated.One cause for concern is antibiotic-resistant microbes, which make illnesses more life-threatening because existing treatments are less effective.There...

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Posted in: General knowledge

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Eating right, exercising, and sleeping well are all very important in the prevention of infections and diseases, but equally important is a good sense of self, a loving support network, and the potential for continued personal growth.Many of us are not in control of the factors that cause us to become ill – whether they be genetic, environmental, or something else entirely. And too many of us do not really know how to take care of ourselves; instead we rely on doctors to “cure us.” There are many avenues we can take to improving our health; natural therapies, and both traditional and modern medicines.But the playing field is not level,...

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Posted in: General knowledge