Applications of BiologySection 1 Section 1: Health in the 21st Century Preview Bellringer Key Ideas Meeting the Challenge Disease in a Changing World Biology and Human Potential Summary

Applications of BiologySection 1 Bellringer List and describe as many infectious diseases as you can within a five minute period.

Applications of BiologySection 1 Key Ideas How are biologists working to eliminate major diseases that affect human populations? How has our understanding of the biological nature of disease changed over time? How might medical advances improve and extend human lives?

Applications of BiologySection 1 Meeting the Challenge Cholera is a disease caused by ingesting food or water that contains the cholera bacterium. A pathogen is an agent that causes disease. Biologist Rita Colwell and her students have found that cholera bacteria cluster around tiny animals called copepods.

Applications of BiologySection 1 Visual Concept: Pathogens

Applications of BiologySection 1 Meeting the Challenge, continued Because the bacteria attach to the copepods, removing the copepods from the water also removes the bacteria. Colwell found that filtering the water with a folded sari removed the copepods and the bacteria. A sari is a traditional garment worn by Indian women. In some places, the use of these simple filters has reduced the cases of cholera by almost 50%.

Applications of BiologySection 1 Meeting the Challenge, continued Colwell has also developed a more-sensitive test to detect cholera bacteria in water that had previously tested negative for the bacteria. Colwell’s research showed that the bacteria existed in a form that had not been detected by previous tests. Cholera bacteria exist in a dormant state in cold water and become active when water temperature increases.

Applications of BiologySection 1 Disease in a Changing World Epidemiology is the study of factors that influence the occurrence and spread of disease. In 1979, scientists announced that they had destroyed the smallpox virus. Vaccination, a medical procedure that increases a person or animal’s resistance to a disease, helped eliminate smallpox and has decreased the occurrence of many other diseases.

Applications of BiologySection 1 Visual Concept: Vaccine

Applications of BiologySection 1 Important Bacterial Diseases

Applications of BiologySection 1 Disease in a Changing World, continued The immune system of a person who has been vaccinated against a certain disease has “learned” to fight that pathogen. The field of genetics has provided new tools for treating diseases caused by gene abnormalities. Genetics is the study of how traits are passed from parents to their offspring.

Applications of BiologySection 1 The Immune Response

Applications of BiologySection 1 Disease in a Changing World, continued In 2003, the Human Genome Project finished sequencing the entire human genome, or the complete set of genetic information for a human. Now, researchers can begin to study single genes to understand their role in genetic diseases.

Applications of BiologySection 1 Biology and Human Potential Assistive technology are tools used to help people who have injuries, diseases, or disabilities. These tools include bionic limbs and computer interfaces and can help a person speak, see, hear, or coordinate his or her movements.

Applications of BiologySection 1 Biology and Human Potential, continued Battlefield medicine develops products for use in battle. These products may be adapted for use in doctor’s offices and hospitals. For example, battlefield medicine developed remote surgery and a bandage that can stop the flow of blood from serious wounds in a short period of time. This bandage may someday be used in hospitals to treat patients with gunshot wounds and other injuries.

Applications of BiologySection 1 Summary Biologists combine research and data from many different fields to help reduce the spread of disease. As scientists learn more about the nature of disease, our ability to prevent and treat diseases has improved. As our understanding of medicine, biology, and science in general increases, humans will live longer and healthier lives.