Module 1 - SLP

Introduction to the Microbial World; History of Microbiology

The Session Long project for this course will be to compare and contrast specific characteristics of a pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganism. The purpose of the SLP is to provide you with the opportunity to study two microorganisms in detail. Through this process you will acquire valuable knowledge in regards to the significant attributes associated with each microorganism. You will also understand the importance that microorganisms play in our lives. You will use the book: A Concise Manual of Pathogenic Microbiologyfor much of this SLP.

Course Overview of the SLP

The Session Long Project for this course will be divided into five modules as follows:

Module I. Select a nonpathogenic microorganism that resides in the human body for this SLP. Begin your research in "Chapter 2: Host-Microbe Interactions," in A Concise Manual of Pathogenic Microbiology (Mishra and Agrawal 2013). Can this miroorganism be both pathogenic and nonpathogenic in the human? If so, under what disease and health condition can the disease be produced?

Module II. Discuss the differences between eukaryotic and prokaroytic cells. Include in your discussion three phenotypic systems used to classify microbes. Use this classification system to classify the microbe that you selected in Module 1. Select one additional resident microbe from "Chapter 2: Host-Microbe Interactions," in A Concise Manual of Pathogenic Microbiology (Mishra and Agrawal 2013) and classify it as well. Make sure that between the two microbes you choose for Modules I and II, at least one of them is a pathogen. Discuss the germ theory of disease. Describe the human diseases which are produced by the pathogenic microorganism selected? Can the non-pathogenic microorganism selected also produce disease?

Module III. Discuss the metabolic requirements for growth of each microbe selected in Modules 1 and 2, and select one antibiotic (bacteria), antiviral (virus) or antifungal (fungi) agent, depending on the pathogen. Discuss the mechanism of action of the drug/its ability to kill or inhibit the selected pathogen.

Module IV. Discuss the role of the immune system in protecting the body from the pathogenic and non- pathogenic microbes selected in Modules 1 and 2. How would the body's immune response differ if it was previously exposed to the same pathogen 2 years ago as compared to an initial exposure?

Module V. Discussion of the importance of your selected microbes in the ecosystem.

Module VI. This is a summary or wrap-up module. You will complete your SLP and submit it if you have not already done so.

For this module you are to do the following:

Module I. Select a resident nonpathogenic microorganism for the SLP. Provide a general description of the microorganism, where in the human it resides, and the reasons you selected it for the SLP. Be sure to use the scientific name for the microbes selected for the SLP. (Also the genus and species of each organism must be written in italics. The genus of the organism is always capitalized while the species is not capitalized. For example, Actinomyces bovis.) Discuss the ecological niche that each microorganism is found in its natural environment.

An ecological niche is that area or space in the environment where a specific species of microorganisms can survive and reproduce. "Certain combinations of environmental conditions are necessary for individuals of each species to tolerate the physical environment, obtain energy and nutrients, and avoid predators" (Pidwirnery, 2006). What are the growth conditions required by this microorganism and how do they relate to where in the body they reside?

Be sure you understand the difference between a pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganism. Within these classifications consider and define the terms, opportunist and symbiont. Can this organism be both pathogenic and nonpathogenic? If so, under what conditions?

Helfpul Hints: Definitions of Pathogenic and Opportunistic Microorganisms

Pathogenic Microorganisms are defined as: Microorganisms which have virulence factors and can cause disease in hosts with a normal defense capacity. Virulence factors may involve resistance to nonspecific host defense factors.

Opportunistic Microorganisms are defined as: Microorganisms which only can cause disease if host resistance is (sufficiently) decreased.

Recommended format for SLP

Please think through how you organize your material and how it is presented. Here is a suggestion, but you are free to organize your presentation in a manner that is comfortable to you. The major headings are approximate descriptions of each SLP module:

Module 1 - Introduction: Organism 1

•Growth requirements, physical and chemical environment

•Role in human health, compare pathogen vs nonpathogens in general

Module 2 - Structure and Evolution of Microbes

• Introduction: Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes and the three pheontypic systems used to classify microbes

• Organism 1, classification

• Organism 2, classification

• Comparisons and contrasts, pathogenic vs non-pathogenic states, opportunistic or symbiotic?

Module 3 - Environmental Requirements for Growth

• General Comments

• Organism 1

• Organism 2

• Comparisons and contrasts

Module 4 - Role of Fulfillment in Ecological Niche

• General Comments

• Organism 1

• Organism 2

• Comparisons and contrasts

Module 5 - Benefits Derived from the Microbe

• General Comments

• Organism 1

• Organism 2

• Comparisons and contrasts

Discussion for SLP

Conclusions for SLP

Your assignment is due by the Monday following the end of this Module. Please upload your case assignment.

Session Long Project Assignment Expectations

Length: Each module SLP should be approximately 2-4 pages or approximately 600 to 1200 words.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it MUST be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to question

Format: APA format is recommended (but not required) for this assignment. See Syllabus page for more information on APA format.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted, assignments are expected to adhere to standards guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

•Relevance (e.g. all content is connected to the question)

•Precision (e.g. specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate).

•Depth of discussion (e.g. present and integrate points that lead to deeper issues)

•Breadth (e.g. multiple perspectives and references, multiple issues/factors considered)

•Evidence (e.g. points are well-supported with facts, statistics and references)

•Logic (e.g. presented discussion makes sense, conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information)

•Clarity (e.g. writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples)

•Objectivity (e.g. avoid use of first person and subjective bias)