Introduction to viruses: For centuries submicroscopic organisms, also known as viruses, that grow and multiply at different rates inside of a cell, have been circulating our planet.1 The cell produces the various, essential components of the virus. These components are: 1) DNA or RNA nucleic acids, which are the genes of the virus.
Viral particles posses either DNA strands or RNA strands, but never both in contrast bacterial infections contain both. The amount of DNA/RNA in a virus changes depending on the type of virus.
2) A protein which is extremely important in a hazardous virus because is provides a strong, protective barrier as the virus passes from cell to cell.2 Viruses do not contain the enzymes and metabolic pressures needed for self-duplication.
The missing components are taken from the host cells they infect. Replication begins when the virus enters the cell. The enzymes remove the coat of the virus, and the RNA or DNA particles come in contact with the ribosomes in the cell. The virus then finds the protein by using the nucleic acid.
Several new RNA or DNA strands are made.
Once the cell has exceeded the maximum number of strands, it then bursts open and the new particles find new host cells. The process is then repeated.3 The following is a list of the many ways viruses can be classified: 1.) Whether viral particles contain RNA or DNA strands. In some cases there are retroviruses. That is when a RNA virus enters the cell, then converts to a DNA virus.
2.) Whether the genome is single stranded or double stranded 3.) For single stranded RNA viruses, the code for a protein could be positive stranded or negative stranded. 4.) The genome may be linear or circular and may be in a single segment or multiple segments. 5.) The size and overall shape of the virus. 6.) The effects of the viruses.4 Viruses can directly cause damage to the cells by seizing the cells metabolic resources and/or by producing toxic components which interfere with their normal functions. These viruses will generally make what is known as a cytopathic effect (CPE) in tissue culture cells. Viruses can also cause cells to alter their components making them targets for anti-cellular viruses such as
AIDS.5 II. An In-Depth view “Infectious diseases are the third leading cause of death in the United
States and the leading cause worldwide...” but,
“we only spend 1% of our health-care budget on prevention,” claims Dr. David Satcher.6 For years scientists have been complaining about the amount of government money spent on virus prevention.
Within the past twenty years, more than 30 new virulent types have been discovered, like Lyme
Disease, Legionnaire’s disease, AIDS, and
Ebola.7 For the past couple of years, scientists
In 1994, a stable in Hendra, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia broke out with an unknown respiratory disease that resulted in thirteen horses and one horse trainer severely ill, resulting in death. [7, 8] This disease was isolated by scientists and later classified as the Hendra virus. The Hendra virus (HeV), previously unknown, is now classified under the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus along with its sister viruses the Nipah Virus and Cedar virus.[7, 9] HeV has the capability of causing fatal diseases in several animal species including humans.[1] The primary host of the Hendra virus was identified as the flying fox species from the genus Pteropus[1,2,3] that resides and migrates through Northeastern Australia[8] or more specifically, the East coast of Australia to Melbourne and west across Northern Australia to Darwin[7].
The Panic Virus: A True Story of Medicine, Science, and Fear written by Seth Mnookin offers something for all potential readers. For those who are anti-vaccine, Mnookin offers valid science, testimony, history, and excerpts that demonstrate that vaccinating a child can be more beneficial than not. Instead of simply dismissing those who do not vaccinate their children, Mnookin offers valid points to counter argue in this debate. Mnookin offers thought, logic, reasoning, and research into his arguments, showing that his opinion is rooted in fact, rather than opinion or belief. Those who are on the fence about vaccination may find this book useful in that Mnookin not only offers plenty valid points about pro-vaccination, however, he also provides
Cocaine is a classified ‘Schedule II’ drug, also known as “crack”, and “coke” it is a powerful drug, and addictive stimulant well known as a psychoactive substance. That comes from a plant called coca leaf that has been around since the mid-1800s and throughout the 20th century. “In the mid-1980s, addiction to the drug was seen as exaggerated or dismissed as psychological and not addiction” (Miller, Gold, Smith, 1997, p.62). In the past, cocaine’s original use was for medical purposes as local anesthetic for surgeries. Now its usage is illegal and this drug is immersed into the body through various ways. However,...
Anorexia Nervosa may be described directly as an eating disease classified by a deficit in weight, not being able to maintain weight appropriate for one’s height. Anorexia means loss of appetite while Anorexia Nervosa means a lack of appetite from nervous causes. Before the 1970s, most people never heard of Anorexia Nervosa. It was identified and named in the 1870s, before then people lived with this mental illness, not knowing what it was, or that they were even sick. It is a mental disorder, which distorts an individual’s perception of how they look. Looking in the mirror, they may see someone overweight
Attention Material: Cocaine is mostly known as an illegal drug, but very few truly acknowledge it for its medical purposes and fully understand its history in the country. Cocaine is a tropane ester alkaloid ,which is extracted from the leaves of the coca (Erythroxylon coca) plant (Clayton, 1996). Cocaine is considered the most powerful and most dangerous drug of natural origin. Cocaine is illegal in the United States and is classified under the Schedule II medication which is contained in the Controlled Substance Act of the United States Constitution.
The powder cocaine is heated and a solid material isolates the boiling assortment. Next, it is removed and dried out and cut into “rocks” ( Streetdrugs). Crack cocaine gets its name from the crackling sound it makes when it’s simmered. Since coca trees grow primarily in South America, it is very easy to produce crack and many statistics show that US and Canada has the most crack addicts. Crack cocaine is also considered a stimulant because it increases the action of the central nervous system and speeds up the metabolism resulting in increased energy and alertness. Since it’s a stimulant and a narcotic, once a person takes it he yearns for it more. Taking crack cocaine produces a sense of euphoria, well-being (University Of Maryland). Symptoms of crack cocaine are both physical and psychological. Physical and psychological withdrawal begins if the addict lacks crack cocaine. Once he hits on the drug, his tolerance level boosts; he takes increased amounts of the drug each time to get desired effects. Psychological indications include the following: excessive thoughts over buying crack cocaine, regular craving ...
Crack is the name given to cocaine that has been transformed into a condensed, more pure, rock form that can be smoked. It is the most addictive form of cocaine due to a higher potency level than the typical batch of street cocaine. Crack cocaine has often been referred to as a ‘soul drug’ because it has a tendency to rob its victims of everything including money, family, morals, and even life itself. Furthermore, it is possible to become addicted to crack cocaine from the very first time it is used, creating a vortex of misery for those who come into contact with it. Compared to other drugs, crack cocaine has a rather short history in America since it was only introduced the 1980’s. However, within this short period, Crack cocaine
The hanta virus is not a new foe to humanity. This mysterious and sometimes fatal disease has plagued humanity for over 1000 years. This virus, most likely originating in China over 1000 years ago, is transmitted by human contact with mice. Only relatively recently has the hanta virus captured the attention of the United States. Although the hanta virus has been known for such a long time, there is little known about the virus. In the United States most cases are found in the southwestern part of the country, although cases have been reported from all four corners of the country. Recently, there have been successful tests done on prospective vaccines for the hanta virus. Despite this, strains of the hanta virus kill many people a year for lack of an effective medicine or vaccine (www.pharminfo.com).
At first the police did not recognize this new rock-like material, but when it was chemically analyzed it revealed to be cocaine as a freebase. The first large-scale use and mass production was in 1984 in Los Angeles. In 1985, crack cocaine was fairly unknown to the majority of the citizens in America but by the time the year ended the news networks had coverage over the outbreak in the drugs usage.
is starting to show up in more and more inner east coast cities 2. Crack or rock
Anorexia is a serious disorder that involves compulsive dieting and excessive weight loss. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, anorexia is characterized by emaciation, a relentless pursuit of thinness, and extremely disturbed eating behaviors (Parks, 2009). The “disturbed eating behaviors” associated with anorexia include unhealthy weight loss and weight control methods, behaviors such as abusing or self-induced vomiting, and a distorted view of one’s personal appearance (Shepphird, 2010). Anorexics in general survive on 500 calories or less per day, and they count every calorie they consume (Parks, 2009). Symptoms often also include the inability or refusal to maintain a healthy weight and a great fear of gaining weight (Shepphird, 2010).
Bulimia nervosa is when a person binge eats and following that binge they will make drastic efforts to avoid the weight gain. For a person with bulimia, this is a constant cycle and causes a strain emotionally. An average binge is consuming 3000 to 5000 calories in an hour. Once the binge is finished someone may choose to take a 9 mile run, take a laxative or vomiting to get all of those calories out of the body to prevent weight gain. Most common in women
...; they often associate it with crack. Crack is a form of cocaine which is mixed with chemicals causing it to be very extremely addictive. According to a study done by the University of Michigan, 2.7 percent of 12th graders used cocaine in the year 2012. Cocaine is used more by white teens than blacks, but that is because of the availability of the drug.
viruses seem worse all they have to do is distort the truth. There is no
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that makes people lose more weight than is considered healthy for their age and height. According to Harvard Children’s Health: