Microbe Mission B/C

[Alex-RCHS]

Describe in detail how ELISA works.

just my luck, I did ELISAs over the summer (Click to Show Hidden Text)

In a direct ELISA an antigen is first attached to the 96-well plate. Then, an antibody is added to the plate. This antibody has an enzyme attached to it (for example HRP, horseradish peroxidase). Then a substrate (for example, TMB) is added. The enzyme facilitates a reaction of that substrate (decomposition, I think) that causes a color change. In the case of the HRP enzyme and TMB substrate, the reaction must be stopped (or "quenched") with acid. Then the plate is read under a plate reader to determine the absorbacnce  of each well. When a standard curve of samples with known concentrations is included at the first step then the concentrations of unknown antibody samples (or antigen samples, if you varied those) can be extrapolated. 

In an indirect Elisa the method is the same except before adding the antibody with the enzyme attached (known here as the secondary antibody) you first add a primary antibody which binds to the antigen. Then the secondary antibody (with enzyme attached) binds to the primary antibody. 

There's also a sandwich Elisa, where instead of the plate being coated with antigen it a coated with an antibody. Then the antigen is added and the rest is the same.

Wow, that was a lot of typing.

Can you explain how this relates to Microbe Mission? I don't see how this relates to the rules at all. Maybe as a way of testing for a disease, but if so that would be uselessly specific info.

I think that understanding how ELISA is used to test for disease is a valid Microbe Mission question. Not an easy question, but valid, especially in the case of testing for HIV.

Eh, I guess so. But I think you have to draw the line somewhere in terms of detail.

Sorry, I shouldn't have added the "in detail" part. I was originally planning to have it centered on antigen detection, but you're right, it was way too specific.

That's okay. I think JonB makes a fair point.

Next questions:
1. Define Proglottid, Scolex, Strobila, Definite Host, and Paratenic Host.
2. What type of organism has proglottids and a scolex?
3. If a person is afflicted with the organism referenced in question #2, name a treatment that they might be given.

[whythelongface]

just my luck, I did ELISAs over the summer (Click to Show Hidden Text)

In a direct ELISA an antigen is first attached to the 96-well plate. Then, an antibody is added to the plate. This antibody has an enzyme attached to it (for example HRP, horseradish peroxidase). Then a substrate (for example, TMB) is added. The enzyme facilitates a reaction of that substrate (decomposition, I think) that causes a color change. In the case of the HRP enzyme and TMB substrate, the reaction must be stopped (or "quenched") with acid. Then the plate is read under a plate reader to determine the absorbacnce  of each well. When a standard curve of samples with known concentrations is included at the first step then the concentrations of unknown antibody samples (or antigen samples, if you varied those) can be extrapolated. 

In an indirect Elisa the method is the same except before adding the antibody with the enzyme attached (known here as the secondary antibody) you first add a primary antibody which binds to the antigen. Then the secondary antibody (with enzyme attached) binds to the primary antibody. 

There's also a sandwich Elisa, where instead of the plate being coated with antigen it a coated with an antibody. Then the antigen is added and the rest is the same.

Wow, that was a lot of typing.

Can you explain how this relates to Microbe Mission? I don't see how this relates to the rules at all. Maybe as a way of testing for a disease, but if so that would be uselessly specific info.

I think that understanding how ELISA is used to test for disease is a valid Microbe Mission question. Not an easy question, but valid, especially in the case of testing for HIV.

Eh, I guess so. But I think you have to draw the line somewhere in terms of detail.

Sorry, I shouldn't have added the "in detail" part. I was originally planning to have it centered on antigen detection, but you're right, it was way too specific.

That's okay. I think JonB makes a fair point.

Next questions:
1. Define Proglottid, Scolex, Strobila, Definite Host, and Paratenic Host.
2. What type of organism has proglottids and a scolex?
3. If a person is afflicted with the organism referenced in question #2, name a treatment that they might be given.

I can only answer some of these (Click to Show Hidden Text)

1. Worm parts? idk exactly what they are, I'll really need to study these. Definite host, I'm guessing, is the host in which the worm matures, and paratenic is just a vector (once again, pure guesswork)
2. Tapeworms
3. Herbal remedies are surprisingly useful. If not, give oral anthelmintics such as mebendazole, pyrantel palmoate, praziquantel, etc.

[Alex-RCHS]

I can only answer some of these (Click to Show Hidden Text)

1. Worm parts? idk exactly what they are, I'll really need to study these. Definite host, I'm guessing, is the host in which the worm matures, and paratenic is just a vector (once again, pure guesswork)
2. Tapeworms
3. Herbal remedies are surprisingly useful. If not, give oral anthelmintics such as mebendazole, pyrantel palmoate, praziquantel, etc.

good job (Click to Show Hidden Text)

1. A Proglottid is one segment of a tapeworm. As the worm grows the proglottids "start" from behind the scolex and mature as they move down. Eventually they fall off and can form a new worm as a form of sexual reproduction. This process is known as strobilation. 
The scolex is the head of the worm, with a sucker and hooks for attachment. (Some worms don't have a hooks, but I believe all have a sucker. suckers are technically called bothria, but I can never remember that. )
The strobila is the collective name for the chain of proglottids that composes the majority of the worm. 
The definite host is indeed what you said; specifically it is the host in which sexual reproduction occurs. 
The paratenic host is one that does not advance the worms life cycle, but still does not kill the worm.  
2 and 3 are correct.

Your turn

[Nano1llus10n]

I think that understanding how ELISA is used to test for disease is a valid Microbe Mission question. Not an easy question, but valid, especially in the case of testing for HIV.

Eh, I guess so. But I think you have to draw the line somewhere in terms of detail.

Sorry, I shouldn't have added the "in detail" part. I was originally planning to have it centered on antigen detection, but you're right, it was way too specific.

That's okay. I think JonB makes a fair point.

Next questions:
1. Define Proglottid, Scolex, Strobila, Definite Host, and Paratenic Host.
2. What type of organism has proglottids and a scolex?
3. If a person is afflicted with the organism referenced in question #2, name a treatment that they might be given.

I can only answer some of these (Click to Show Hidden Text)

1. Worm parts? idk exactly what they are, I'll really need to study these. Definite host, I'm guessing, is the host in which the worm matures, and paratenic is just a vector (once again, pure guesswork)
2. Tapeworms
3. Herbal remedies are surprisingly useful. If not, give oral anthelmintics such as mebendazole, pyrantel palmoate, praziquantel, etc.

Adding on... (Click to Show Hidden Text)

I know that the proglottids are where the reproductive organs are and the scolex is the head of the worm

Edit: whoops didn't see that you already posted answers
Edit 2: Your turn Whythelongface

[whythelongface]

What is hemagglutination, and why is it significant in laboratory pathology?

[sciduck]

What is hemagglutination, and why is it significant in laboratory pathology?

uh... (Click to Show Hidden Text)

Hemagglutination is when RBCs clump together in the presence of an antigen. The only lab procedure that I know uses this is blood typing, but I guess you could make an assay to determine the presence of some type of microbe. (Maybe virus because they are small?)

[whythelongface]

What is hemagglutination, and why is it significant in laboratory pathology?

uh... (Click to Show Hidden Text)

Hemagglutination is when RBCs clump together in the presence of an antigen. The only lab procedure that I know uses this is blood typing, but I guess you could make an assay to determine the presence of some type of microbe. (Maybe virus because they are small?)

Ding ding ding! Viruses generally cause hemagglutination, and so the test can be used as an assay for viral antigens. Your turn.

[sciduck]

What is one reason the flu thrives in the winter?

[whythelongface]

What is one reason the flu thrives in the winter?

Many people cluster indoors during the winter, increasing the chance of transmission.

[sciduck]

Many people cluster indoors during the winter, increasing the chance of transmission.

True. The answer I was thinking of: (Click to Show Hidden Text)

The influenza virus is more stable in low temperatures and low humidity. It actually forms a coating in cold temperatures to help it spread through the air.