Yogy's biology

  10 Human Health and Diseases - part 08 - AIDS AIDS : AIDS, the  acquired immuno deficiency syndrome , is a usually fatal illness caused by a  retrovirus (ss RNA)  known as the  human immuno deficiency virus (HIV)  HIV  weakens the body’s immune system , leaving the victim vulnerable to life –threating opportunistic infections, neurological disorders and unusual malignancies.  AIDS can be called  a modern pandemic  (world wide), affecting both industrialized and developing countries. AIDS was first noticed in  USA  in  1981. In India, first confirmed case of AIDS was in April  1986  from  Tamil Nadu. Structure of HIV: HIV is  100 to 140 nm  in diameter.  It is spherical.  Virus particle shows centrally located  two ss RNA molecules   along with  reverse transcriptase enzymes.  It is covered by  two layers of proteins.   The  outer layer  is of...

  10 Human Health and Diseases - part 07 - Cancer Cancer: Abnormal, uncontrolled and purposeless division of cells  may lead to the formation/ development of mass of undifferentiated cell i.e.  tumor.  When  tumor is malignant,  it is described as cancer and has ability to invade other tissues. Cancer harms the body when cancerous cells divide uncontrollably to form  new lumps or masses of tissue  called  neoplasm  (except in the case of leukemia).  Tumors can  grow and interfere  with the normal functioning of various organs.  They also release secretions which  alter body function (s). It is one of the main killer diseases nowadays.  Physicians and researchers who specialize in the study, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer are called  oncologists . Tumors may develop anywhere in the body.  However, all tumors are not cancerous. There are two types of tumors:  Benign or nonmalignan...

  10 Human Health and Diseases - part 06 - Common Cold, Ring Worm, Dengue Common Cold : Viral infectious disease of  upper respiratory region .  Known as  nasopharyngitis, acute viral rhinopharyngitis, acute coryza  or a cold. Caused by a group of viruses known as  Rhinoviruses and Coronaviruses. Signs and Symptoms : Cough , sore throat, running nose and fever. Nasal congestion, sneezing. Conjunctivitis (red eyes) Muscle rashes, fatigue, headache, shivering and loss of appetite. Prevention and Control : Staying away from person suffering from common cold. Washing hands with soap and water. Use of handkerchief to cover the nose and mouth during coughing and sneezing. Alcohol based hand sanitizer  can also be used. Ring Worm (Dermatophytosis) : Fungal infection  of skin.  Caused by many fungal species belonging to the  genera Trichophyton and Microsporum .  These fungi feed on  keratin  in skin, hair and nails. Signs and Sym...

  10 Human Health and Diseases - part 05 - Filariasis,Typhoid, Pneumonia Filariasis/ Elephantiasis : Caused by thread like  worms nematodes.  These nematode parasites are transported from person to person via  mosquito bite.  Filariasis can be divided into 3 subtypes as  Lymphatic Filariasis,  Subcutaneous Filariasis  (e.g. Loa loa, Mansonella spp.) and Serous (abdominal)cavity Filariasis  (e.g. Mansonella spp.). Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis)  is caused by the worms -  Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Brugia timori. Signs and symptoms :- Edema with thickening of skin and underlying tissue.  Wuchereria bancrofti  affects the  legs, arms, breasts, scrotum , etc. In lymphatic filariasis, worms infect lymphatic system and causes  enlargement of lymph vessels and nodes.  This is elephantiasis i.e. limbs are swollen like legs of elephant. Lymphedema  i.e. accumulation of lymh fluid in tissue causin...

  10 Human Health and Diseases - part 04 - Amoebiasis, Ascariasis Amoebiasis : Also known as  Amoebic dysentry.  It’s a common infection of human  gastro-intestinal tract,  which affects  15 % population  of India. Amoebiasis is caused by a protist parasite-  Entamoeba histolytica. Signs and symptoms: Diarrhoea, flatulence, stool with mucus and abdominal pains (cramps) are common. Passing of blood with stool  is common in severe cases. Hepatomegaly  occurs if parasite enters the liver.  Liver develops  amoebic liver abscess  accompanied with fever and pain in right abdomen. Mode of transmission : Faeco-oral route. Eating with dirty hands. Contaminated food and water. Diagnosis and Treatment :  Is made through microscopic examination of the  stool sample. Treated by the use of  Metronidazole and Tinidazole  which can destroy the  E. histolytica  in the digestive tract as well as other tissues. ...