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The World of Microbes - Medicinal Use of Microorganisms and Vaccines

Grade 8CBSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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Antibiotics are medicines derived from microorganisms like BacteriaBacteria and FungiFungi that kill or stop the growth of disease-causing microbes.

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The first antibiotic, PenicillinPenicillin, was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 19291929 from the fungus Penicillium notatumPenicillium \ notatum.

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Commonly used antibiotics include StreptomycinStreptomycin, TetracyclineTetracycline, and ErythromycinErythromycin.

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Vaccines contain dead or weakened microbes introduced into a healthy body to stimulate the production of AntibodiesAntibodies.

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When a pathogen enters the body, the immune system produces AntibodiesAntibodies to fight the invader. The body 'remembers' how to fight the microbe if it enters again.

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Edward Jenner discovered the vaccine for SmallpoxSmallpox in 17981798.

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Antibiotics are not effective against diseases caused by viruses, such as the common cold or InfluenzaInfluenza, because viruses have different biochemical pathways than bacteria.

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It is crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed to ensure all PathogensPathogens are killed and to prevent antibiotic resistance.

📐Formulae

Microorganism→Antibiotic Production→Inhibition of Pathogen Growth\text{Microorganism} \rightarrow \text{Antibiotic Production} \rightarrow \text{Inhibition of Pathogen Growth}

Vaccine (Weakened Microbe)→Immune ResponseAntibody Formation→Immunity\text{Vaccine (Weakened Microbe)} \xrightarrow{\text{Immune Response}} \text{Antibody Formation} \rightarrow \text{Immunity}

Pathogen+Antibody→Neutralization of Infection\text{Pathogen} + \text{Antibody} \rightarrow \text{Neutralization of Infection}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Explain why a child is given a dose of OPVOPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) as part of the Pulse Polio Programme.

Solution:

The OPVOPV contains weakened Polio virusPolio \ virus strains. When administered, it triggers the body to produce specific AntibodiesAntibodies without causing the actual disease. These AntibodiesAntibodies remain in the blood to provide long-term protection against future infections by the PolioPolio virus.

Explanation:

This is an example of active immunity where the body learns to defend itself using scientific BiotechnologicalBiotechnological principles.

Problem 2:

Why should antibiotics not be taken unnecessarily or in wrong doses?

Solution:

Taking antibiotics unnecessarily may kill beneficial bacteria in the body. Moreover, if taken in wrong doses, the drug may become less effective when the person actually needs it in the future because the BacteriaBacteria might develop ResistanceResistance.

Explanation:

Antibiotic resistance occurs when BacteriaBacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of AntibioticsAntibiotics like PenicillinPenicillin.