Diversity, Benefits, And Detriments Of Microbes ✓ Solved

Diversity, Benefits and Detriments of Microbes

Microbiology is both a basic and an applied science with many areas of specialization, including bacteriology, mycology, virology, medical microbiology, public health, food microbiology, biotechnology, and microbial genetics. This discussion focuses on beneficial microbes, their roles, and their contributions within these subfields.

For the assignment, students select one beneficial microbe from a provided list, reserve their topic, and then discuss the organism’s nature, beneficial actions, and the specific microbiology subfield involved. The discussion must highlight only the positive aspects of the organism, be well-written in own words, properly paraphrased, and include credible academic citations in APA 7th Edition format. The initial post should be between 300 and 400 words, completed by the determined due date.

Students are also required to respond to their classmates' posts with two substantive comments—one regarding potential harmful effects of the organism, and another exploring either positive or negative aspects—each between 100 and 150 words, with proper citations and references. All posts must adhere to minimum three-day posting rules to ensure active participation throughout the week. Credible sources exclude Wikipedia and open-source platforms, emphasizing peer-reviewed academic references.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

In this paper, I will discuss Bifidobacterium infantis, a beneficial microbe that plays a significant role in human health. Bifidobacterium infantis is a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium commonly residing in the human gut microbiota. It belongs to the genus Bifidobacterium, which is well-known for its probiotic properties that promote gastrointestinal health (O'Callaghan & van Sinderen, 2016).

One of the primary beneficial actions of Bifidobacterium infantis is its ability to enhance digestion and nutrient absorption. It ferments dietary fibers to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, acetate, and propionate, which nourish colon cells, lower intestinal pH, and suppress pathogenic bacteria. This activity helps maintain gut barrier integrity, reducing inflammation and preventing infections (Klaenhammer et al., 2012). Furthermore, B. infantis has been shown to modulate the immune system by stimulating anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus contributing to immune homeostasis and protecting against autoimmune diseases (Gómez et al., 2021).

This microorganism is central to microbiology within the subfield of medical microbiology and immunology. Its probiotic properties are leveraged in the development of dietary supplements and functional foods aimed at promoting gut health, especially in infants, where B. infantis colonization correlates with decreased risk of allergies and gastrointestinal disorders (Underwood et al., 2015).

In addition, Bifidobacterium infantis has potential applications in the biotechnological sector for producing bioactive compounds and as a probiotic agent in clinical therapies. Its capacity to outcompete pathogenic bacteria and support the growth of beneficial microbes exemplifies its crucial role in human health management.

Overall, Bifidobacterium infantis exemplifies how beneficial microbes are integral to health, functioning within microbiology to improve digestive and immune functions, and advancing probiotic and biotechnology fields (O'Callaghan & van Sinderen, 2016; Gómez et al., 2021).

References

• Gómez, de A., et al. (2021). Probiotic Bifidobacteria and their role in immune modulation. Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology, 31(3), 401–416. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2008.08059
• Klaenhammer, T. R., et al. (2012). Probiotic and beneficial microbes: The science of yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods. Frontiers in Microbiology, 3, 415. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2012.00415
• O'Callaghan, A., & van Sinderen, D. (2016). Bifidobacteria and Their Role as Probiotics. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 37, 125–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2015.09.009
• Underwood, M. A., et al. (2015). The role of microbiota in short chain fatty acid production and health implications. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 18(4), 310–315.