Micro Organisms Flashcards
What does rabies cause?
Paralysis of the oesophageal muscles
Where does rabies multiply?
In the limbic system
What/who does rabies not affect?
Vampire bats
Who can Toxoplasma Gondii effect?
Almost all mammals
How much of population is Toxoplasma Gondii present within?
1/3
Who is the best host for Toxoplasma Gondii?
Felines
Who are the best intermediate hosts for Toxoplasma Gondii?
Rodents
Who is Toxoplasma Gondii most dangerous to?
Pregnant women
Give a brief explanation of Toxoplasma Gondii’s life cycle?
Starts within a rodent, e.g. rat, who is its intermediate host. The rat is then eaten by a cat, who is it host, it then reproduces and is excreted in its feces, which is then transferred back to rats to begin again. It can effect people and livestock but this would be the end stage of Toxoplasma Gondii.
Was there any difference in having or not having Toxoplasma Gondii and a likelihood of having car crashes?
People with Toxoplasma Gondii were 2.65 more likely to have a car accident
Explain why the difference in car crash risk might be different for those with Toxoplasma Gondii?
- Slowed reaction times
- Abnormal fear response
What influence does Toxoplasma Gondii have on women if they are infected?
- Greater self esteem
- More intelligent
- Considered more attractive
What influence does Toxoplasma Gondii have on men if they are infected?
- More jealous
- Slower
- Emotionally unstable
- Disregard rules
What influence does Toxoplasma Gondii have on men if they are infected?
- More jealous
- Slower
- Emotionally unstable
- Disregard rules
What are the common influences on men and women when infected with Toxoplasma Gondii?
More anxious
Is there a relationship between Toxoplasma Gondii and schizophrenia?
Individuals with schizophrenia seen to have an increased prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma Gondii
What is neurosyphilis?
An infection of the brain or spinal cord present in untreated syphilis
Do sexually transmitted infections make us more creative? Describe a study that might suggest they do
- Participant was asked to draw an x in a box
- With the STD drew a kite
- Without drew it plain and boring
What food is most likely to be tabooed than other foods?
Meat
What evidence might there be that pathogens are good for us?
- Our immune system evolved with them
Do our digestive enzymes differ from culture to culture? Describe a study that might suggest they do.
- Comparison of Japanese and North Americans
- Found that the Japanese had bacteria that could digest seaweed
Do our digestive enzymes differ from culture to culture? Describe a study that might suggest they do.
- Comparison of Japanese and North Americans
- Found that the Japanese had bacteria that could digest seaweed
Is there are a bacteria that can reduce anxiety? Describe a study that suggests there is.
- Found that mice whose diet was supplemented with a certain gut bacteria were less anxious
- Women who ate fermented yoghurt showed less brain activity associated with anxiety
What are prebiotics?
Substances that we can’t digest but may promote good bacteria in the gut
What are probiotics?
Live microbes that you can ingest in either pill or food form
Describe a fecal transplant that suggests there are gut bacterias which lead to weight gain?
- Skinny mother took fecal transplant from her overweight daughter
- Was overweight soon after.
Describe some factors of being able to sell your poop.
- Can get paid £40 per sample
- only 4% of prospective donors make the cut
Describe some factors of being able to sell your poop.
- Can get paid £40 per sample
- only 4% of prospective donors make the cut
What can micro-organisms do to our behaviour to survive?
Manipulate
- Snails: get infected by worms which make their eye stalks bit puffy and pulsate so the birds can see them. They get digested by bird and parasite can then reproduce
