Topic 1 (BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS)

Question 1

Define biological hazards

Answer 1

Biological hazards are biological substances or materials of biological origin that pose a threat to the health of humans

Question 2

What are some examples of biological hazards (4)?

Answer 2

1, Biological agents (Bacteria, viruses, parasitic protozoa, fungi)
2, Biological toxins (derived from microorganisms)
3, Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
4, Cell lines

Question 3

1, What are bacteria
2, What do bacteria cells consist of?
3, How can they be transmitted?
4, How do they reproduce?

Answer 3

1, Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms that exist together in large numbers

2, Bacteria cells consist of DNA and cytoplasm surrounded by a cell membrane and a cell wall

3, Bacteria can be bloodborne. Hence, they can be carried in blood or body fluids

4, Bacteria can reproduce on their own

Question 4

1, What are viruses?
2, What do virus cells consist of?
3, How do they reproduce?

Answer 4

1, Viruses are acellular microorganisms

2, Virus cells consist of DNA/RNA contained in a capsid (a protein shell). Enveloped viruses are surrounded by a membrane called envelope (consists of lipids & proteins). Naked viruses do not have envelopes

3, Viruses are always parasitic and hence need host cells in order to reproduce

Question 5

1, What are biological toxins?
2, How can biological toxins be produced?
3, How can they be hazardous?

Answer 5

1, Biological toxins are hazardous substances produced by certain microorganisms

2, Biological toxins can be produced by animals, plants and bacteria

3, Biological toxins produced by bacteria enter human cells and stop the synthesis of proteins

Question 6

1, What are GMOs?

Answer 6

1, GMOs are living organisms whose hereditary material has been artificially manipulated, thus resulting in the creation of bacteria or viruses with new genetic materials not occurring naturally

Question 7

1, What are cell lines?
2, Where are they taken from?
3, How are they hazardous?

Answer 7

1, Cell lines are cell cultures that will proliferate (reproduce rapidly) for a long time given appropriate nutrients and space

2, Cell lines are usually taken from multicellular organisms (eg, humans, monkeys, hamsters, etc.)

3, Cell lines are harmful as they may harbour bloodborne pathogens (bacteria, viruses or microorganisms that can cause diseases) like HIV

Question 8

What is LAI? State an example

Answer 8

LAI refers to laboratory-acquired infections, which are infections acquired through lab or lab-related activities.

Some examples of a LAI is Mycobacterium tuberculosis or the hepatitis B virus