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RESEARCH REPORT
Human health is necessary for survival
and happiness. Many diseases are caused by bacteria, which can be prevented
or killed by the use of antiseptics.
Bacteria
Bacteria are tiny, one-celled microbes.
Because of their ability to adapt to any environment, they are found almost
everywhere. Bacteria break down materials into simple materials such as
carbon, nitrogen, and other materials needed for new life. Unfortunately,
some also cause diseases.
A wall that holds the bacteria organism
together, and controls what enters and exits surrounds the one cell. The
wall also affects how the bacteria react to certain antibiotics, antiseptics,
and protective secretions such as tears and saliva. The bacterias wall
sometimes has a sticky coating called a capsule that provides extra protection,
and allows the cell to stick to others. When the bacteria have a limited
food supply, they dehydrate and produce, thick spore coats. As spores,
the bacteria can survive for hundreds, even thousands of years. Bacteria
move using flagella, which are tiny structures that beat in a circular
motion. Spirilla move in a "corkscrew" motion. Some bacteria do not
move at all.
Bacteria come in distinct shapes, and grouping
types, and are named based on these. These three shapes are bacilli, which
are rods, cocci, which are round, and spirilla, which are spirals. Bacteria
group together in different ways. Diplo is where two bacteria join, strepto
form chains, and staphlyo form clusters. The level of hemolysis further
classifies bacteria. Hemolysis is when hemoglobin, the iron-protein that
gives blood its red color and transports important nutrients, leaks out
of red blood cells. The levels of leakage caused by bacteria are beta,
completely hemolytic, alpha, moderately hemolytic, and gamma, which is
non-hemolytic.
Although bacteria have no brain or nervous
system, they have the ability to remember stimuli up to 60 seconds. They
can also sense food or toxins.
Bacteria reproduce through two methods.
The first is binary fission, where the cell divides in half, creating a
new bacteria cell. The new cells are half the size, but grow. The new bacteria
cell is an exact replica of the original cell. Binary fission may occur
from every 15 minutes to every16 hours. The second method of reproduction
is called conjugation. This is where to bacteria cells join together and
exchange DNA.
Alpha Streptococcus
Alpha Streptococcus is hemolytic bacteria
that are round and form chains with other organisms. Alpha streptococcus
can cause diseases as strep throat, and play a large role in tooth decay.
It may also damage body tissues such as the heart, and kidney
Human Defense Against Bacteria
The human body has ways to naturally protect
itself from bacteria without the use of medications. Within the skin are
glands, which secrete sweat and oil, which contain acid that kills and
prevents the growth of bacteria on the skin. Openings in the body are covered
with a layer of mucus that traps bacteria. If the bacteria get past this
mucus, acids in the stomach kill them. If the bacteria get past the outer
defenses and enter the skin, it will injure the cells. The cells release
histamine that causes blood vessels near the wound to swell and increase
blood flow to this area. The chemicals in the blood clot and seal off the
cut, which prevents more bacteria from entering. When the cells release
histamine, they attract white cells called phagocytes. These cells engulf
bacteria, and kill the harmful microorganisms. They then die and excrete
puss. Any bacteria that get past the phagocytes then have to defeat the
immune system. The two million lymphocytes, also called T-cells, in the
blood and lymph systems detect invaders such as bacteria and viruses. When
they discover the cells they began producing antibodies, which destroy
a specific type of foreign body. The lymphocyte's memory cells remember
previously fought "enemies" and instantly produce antibodies. So, a disease
that has already been fought doesn't have a good chance against the lymphocytes
in the future. If it is a new "enemy" it may take the lymphocytes five
to seven days to produce the maximum amount of antibody. If not enough
are produced, the foreign cells may defeat the lymphocytes, and eventually
kill the person.
History
In ancient times leprosy, tuberculosis,
cholera and other diseases killed many people. People believed that disease
was a punishment from the gods or a curse of an enemy. A theory called
spontaneous generation was accepted for over 2000 years. Spontaneous generation
was the belief that life could spring from non-living materials. In the
1860's Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch discovered evidence that diseases
were caused by microorganisms, and life could not come from dead materials.
Pasteur discovered this by isolating two types of bacteria on dying silkworms
in France. Pasteur also discovered that microorganisms cause food and drink,
like milk, to spoil and decompose. He invented a method called Pasteurization
that destroyed bacteria in the milk using heat. Robert Koch discovered
that bacteria cultures grew best on agar, a gelatin substance that comes
from seaweed combined with broth for the bacteria to feed on.
Joseph Lister, a professor of surgery,
read about the discoveries of Pasteur and Koch. He was convinced that bacteria
caused infections that killed patients. So, Lister cleaned the area that
was to be operated on, his hands, operating tools, and the air of the room
with acid. As a result, the patient had no infections, and Lister's method
was called anti-septic surgery.
Antiseptic
Antiseptics have bacteria-fighting abilities.
The chemicals within the antiseptic may cause an allergic reaction, or
damage skin if not used correctly.
History
Wine and vinegar have been used as antiseptics
for over 2,500 years. In addition to these, brandy, mercury, pitch,
tar, and turpentine have been used as antiseptics throughout history.
Hundreds of year ago, a surgeon noticed
that untreated wounds smelled unpleasant, and began treating them with
various substances. Some materials prevented infection, but the patient
later died from the harm of the materials used. In the mid-1800s Ignaz
Semmelweis, successfully used a mild solution of lime chloride. Later,
in the mid-1860s, Joseph Lister used a carbolic acid to prevent infection
in a patient he operated on. Together, Lister and Semmelweis lead to the
use of mild yet powerful antiseptics that are common today.
Dentistry
Dentistry is the job of diagnosing, treating
and preventing diseases of the teeth, and tissue of the mouth. The branches
are general dentistry, which covers most areas, orthodontics, the correction
of the teeth, oral surgery, surgical correction of the teeth, periodontics,
the treatment of the bones and tissue that support the teeth, prosthodontics,
the replacement of missing or damaged teeth, oral pathology, the diagnosis
and treatment of mouth diseases, pediatric dentistry, which specializes
in the treatment of childrens mouth and teeth, and enthodontics, the prevention,
treatment and diagnosis of diseases of dental tissues.
Structure of the Tooth
"Each tooth is composed of a crown which
projects above the gums, and a root, which is hidden beneath them.
The tooth narrows at the neck, where the root and crown meet. The
visible crown varies in shape, depending on the function of the tooth.
Much of a tooth is formed by its root or roots. A canine tooth has
a single root whereas a molar has two or three small ones fused together.
Third molars may have as many as four or five roots." (pp. 17-18,
Dental Health by Dorothy Siegel).
The tooth is in a jaw socket, held in by
the strong connective fibers of the periodontal ligament. It attaches the
tooth to the jawbone. The ligament contains blood vessels, nerves and bone-building
materials. As long as it remains healthy, it will continue to nourish the
tooth, keeping the tooth alive.
Purpose and Care of Teeth
The mouth is the first step in digestion,
and the teeth play an important role. They chop up the food into a smaller
size, and saliva further processes it. It is then swallowed, and the food
continues through the digestive system.
The remains of food and bacteria harden
on the tooth. This thin, sticky substance is called plaque. Plaque eats
sugar and food on the tooth, and produce acids that eat away the tooth.
Decay causes a hole in the tooth called a cavity, which is drilled out
and filled with a substance such as gold, porcelain or plastic.
The decay of the tooth can be prevented
if plaque is properly removed. The first method of removal is tooth brushing.
The bristles of the tooth scrape away the plaque. Toothpaste, fluoride,
which helps strengthen the tooth enamel, and mouthwash help prevent decay.
Mouthwash is a liquid that contains ingredients that help kill bacteria,
loosen plaque, get to places where the toothbrush and dental floss miss,
and add fluoride to the enamel.
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