Microbiology

Autophagy is the removal of damaged or harmful cell components. Lysosomes are vital in this activity. Autophagy is usually helpful but is problematic in some situations.

This article will provide a brief introduction and explanation of cells and provide information on how they were first discovered.

Bacteria contain structures that perform specific jobs and resemble the organelles found in eukaryotic cells. The organisms are more complex than once realized.

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. They don't infect our cells, but they're found in bacteria living in our gut. Here they may affect our lives.

Here I detail my experiment exploring the potential of banana peel extracts for use in generating bioelectricity.

Learn the different groups of protozoans, as well as characteristics, structure, examples, and images of the different types. This article also includes informative videos about the different diseases brought about by parasitic protozoans.

Throughout the world there exists numerous viruses and diseases capable of inflicting serious harm (or death) on the human population at large. This article explores the 10 deadliest and most dangerous viruses known to currently exist in the world.

Stentor is an interesting, single-celled predator. At least one species makes relatively complex decisions. Studying it may help scientists understand the behavior of our cells.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterium that can live in our body and is sometimes dangerous. It's usually harmless in the digestive tract, but this may not always be true.

What causes one person to have clear skin and another person to have severe, cystic acne? Discover the genetics behind the development of this skin condition, in addition to understanding how different treatment options work.

Acanthamoeba is a microscopic, single-celled organism that can infect the cornea of the eye. It causes a disorder called Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is most common in contact lens users.

Antibiotics interfere with vital activities in bacteria by various methods. Unfortunately, microbes are becoming resistant to the drugs. Arylomycins may be helpful in this situation.

Immunology is the complex study of the immune system and its associated functions. Immunity is how the body attempts to prevent disease. This article will briefly discuss the types of immunity, vaccines, problems with the immune system, and more.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a bacterium found on skin and mucous membranes. It's often harmless, but some strains are resistant to multiple antibiotics and may be dangerous.

Social amoebas are also known as cellular slime molds and dictyostelids. They start life as ameboid cells but join to form a multicellular grex or slug when food is scarce.

Researches have discovered evidence showing that complex life may have first evolved in lakes, rather than in oceans as was previously believed.

Planarians are flatworms with an amazing ability to regenerate. Scientists are investigating this ability and hope to apply their discoveries to human biology.

Plasmodium vivax is often said to be a less serious cause of malaria than P. falciparum, but it can be deadly. It may become dormant in the liver and later become active.

Saprolegnia and Phytophthora are water molds. Some species of Saprolegnia kill fish. One species of Phytophthora caused the nineteenth-century potato famine in Ireland.

This article is an in-depth review of cells. Meant to help high school and college students gain a better understanding of this chapter of biology.

Investigative skills play an important part in learning practical biology. Experiments are important in the scientific method. This article teaches good experimental design for young biologists.

The world's ecosystems are underpinned by a complex community of single-celled organisms. fundamental to the healthy functioning of both aquatic and terrestrial food webs.

People worry that deadly viruses like Ebola could turn into airborne forms that could cause a worldwide epidemic. But there are reasons to think it is unlikely.

Bacteria naturally develop resistance to antibiotics, and the unnecessary use of antibiotics in meat production and the treatment of human disease is accelerating this process.

This article explains with clear text, illustrations and videos all about diffusion, osmosis, active transport, surface to volume ratio and the temperature and concentration gradients in cell biology.

One species of bacteria in the genus Yersinia causes bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Others cause foodborne illness. One species may eventually help to treat cancer.

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria that cause disease is a serious problem. Soil contains many bacteria, some of which may help us by making new antibiotics.

True plants are currently seen as non-animal organisms that make up the kingdom Plantae. However, there are organisms—like cyanobacteria—that belong to other kingdoms but have plant-like characteristics.

Guide to the different tests you can perform on unknown bacteria to identify it. These methods are really important in many fields when you are faced with an unknown sickness or contamination.

Prions are misfolded proteins that form inside the body or enter the body from the outside. They alter other proteins and can cause serious diseases, including CJD.

Bacteria have some amazing abilities. They can live in extreme habitats, produce light or electricity, communicate with each other, and act as predators and magnets.

An amoeba is an interesting one-celled creature. Amoeboid organisms live in the environment and in our body. Some species are harmless, but others cause disease.

While both cause infection and disease, viruses and bacteria are entirely different! Read all about them and more here.

Chemosynthetic bacteria are organisms whose primary source of energy comes from the chemical reactions of inorganic molecules.

Take a closer look at microscopy! Learn the differences between an electron and light microscope, know your resolution from your magnificaiton and learn how to correctly use a microscope.

A nematode called Onchocerca volvulis causes onchocerciasis (river blindness). Wolbachia may contribute to the disease. Severe itching, skin changes, and vision loss may occur.

This article looks at the basic similarities and differences between animal and plant cells, and the functions of different organelles, and how cells are adapted to perform certain functions.

Want to learn about microbes? Fun and safe experiment for growing fungi and bacteria using home made potato sucrose gel (recipe included).

This article offers an introduction to various members of the kingdom Protista. Colorful photos and videos are included. Designed for students or anyone wanting to learn more.

Why do cells divide? Are mitosis and cell cycle the same thing? What are the stages of the cell cycle? What are the stages of mitosis? This article answers all these questions.

Cancer is an emotive word, but what is it? What causes a normal, somatic cell to turn cancerous? What are our defences against this foe, and are they all useless? Find answers to these questions and some excellent sources to start your own research.

A growth or a culture medium is composed of different nutrients that are essential for microbial growth—here are some that are used in microbiological laboratories.

Our innate and our acquired immune system contain lymphocytes. The cells play a vital role in fighting infections. NK (natural killer), B, and T cells are lymphocytes.