Microbiology

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.

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.

Saprolegnia and Phytophthora are important examples of oomycetes or water molds. Some species of Saprolegnia can infect and kill fish. One species of Phytophthora causes late blight in potatoes. This disease was responsible for the devastating nineteenth-century potato famine in Ireland.

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.

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

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

Bacteria in the genus Yersinia have major effects on our lives. One species causes bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Others cause foodborne illness. One may eventually help to treat cancer.

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

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.

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.

Social amoebas are also known as cellular slime molds and dictyostelids. They start life as separate ameboid cells but join to form a multicellular slug when food is scarce. The slug has some very interesting abilities.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Planarians are interesting flatworms with an amazing ability to regenerate. Scientists are investigating the capabilities of the animals in the hope of applying their discoveries to human biology.

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.

Plasmodium vivax is sometimes considered to be a less serious cause of malaria than Plasmodium falciparum. P. vivax can be deadly, however. It becomes dormant in the liver and later becomes active again. The reactivation may cause a relapse, or the return of symptoms.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.