Gram Positive vs. Gram Negative Bacteria

Gram Positive vs. Gram Negative Bacteria Most bacteria are classified into two broad categories: Gram positive and Gram negative. These categories are based on their cell wall composition and reaction to the Gram stain test. The Gram staining method, developed by Hans Christian Gram, identifies bacteria based upon the reaction of their cell walls to certain dyes and chemicals. The differences between Gram positive vs Gram negative bacteria are primarily related to their cell wall composition. Gram positive bacteria have cell walls composed mostly of a substance unique to bacteria known as peptidoglycan, or murein. These bacteria stain purple after Gram staining. Gram negative bacteria have cell walls with only a thin layer of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane with a lipopolysaccharide component not found in Gram positive bacteria. Gram negative bacteria stain red or pink after Gram staining. Gram Positive Bacteria The cell walls of Gram positive bacteria differ structurally from the cell walls of Gram negative bacteria. The primary component of bacterial cell walls is peptidoglycan. Peptidoglycan is a macromolecule composed of sugars and amino acids that are assembled structurally like woven material. The amino sugar component consists of alternating molecules of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM). These molecules are crosslinked together by short peptides which help give peptidoglycan strength and structure. Peptidoglycan provides protection for bacteria and defines their shape. This image shows the cell wall composition of Gram positive bacteria. CNX OpenStax/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 The Gram positive cell wall has several layers of peptidoglycan. The thick layers of peptidoglycan help to support the cell membrane and provide a place of attachment for other molecules. The thick layers also enable Gram positive bacteria to retain most of the crystal violet dye during Gram staining causing them to appear purple. Gram positive cell walls also contain chains of teichoic acid that extend from the plasma membrane through the peptidoglycan cell wall. These sugar-containing polymers assist in maintaining cell shape and play a role in proper cell division. Teichoic acid helps some Gram positive bacteria to infect cells and cause disease. Some Gram positive bacteria have an additional component, mycolic acid, in their cell walls. Mycolic acids produce a waxy outer layer that provides additional protection for mycobacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Gram positive bacteria with mycolic acid are also called acid-fast bacteria because they require a special staining method, known as acid-fast staining, for microscope observation. Pathogenic Gram positive bacteria cause disease by the secretion of toxic proteins known as exotoxins. Exotoxins are synthesized within the prokaryotic cell and released into the exterior of the cell. They are specific to certain bacterial stains and can cause serious damage to body organs and tissues. Some Gram negative bacteria also produce exotoxins. Gram Positive Cocci Gram positive cocci refer to Gram positive bacteria that are spherically shaped. Two genera of Gram positive cocci noted for their role as human pathogens are Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Staphylococcus are spherical in shape and their cells appear in clusters after they divide. Streptococcus cells appear as long chains of cells after division. Examples of Gram positive cocci that colonize the skin include Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus (round) bacteria that is found on the skin and mucous membranes of humans and many animals. The bacteria are usually harmless, but infections can occur on broken skin or within a blocked sweat or sebaceous gland, resulting in boils, pustules and abscesses. Paul Gunning/Science Photo Library/Getty Images While all three are part of the normal human microbiota, they can cause disease under certain conditions. Staphylococcus epidermidis form thick biofilms and can cause infections associated with implanted medical devices. Some Staphylococcus aureus strains, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), have become resistant to antibiotics and can lead to the development of serious illness. Streptococcus pyogenes can cause strep throat, scarlet fever, blood poisoning, and flesh-eating disease. Gram Negative Bacteria Like Gram positive bacteria, the Gram negative bacterial cell wall is composed of peptidoglycan. However, the peptidoglycan is a single thin layer compared to the thick layers in Gram positive cells. This thin layer does not retain the initial crystal violet dye but picks up the pink color of the counterstain during Gram staining. The cell wall structure of Gram negative bacteria is more complex than that of Gram positive bacteria. Located between the plasma membrane and the thin peptidoglycan layer is a gel-like matrix called periplasmic space. Unlike in Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria have an outer membrane layer that is external to the peptidoglycan cell wall. Membrane proteins, murein lipoproteins, attach the outer membrane to the cell wall. This image shows the cell wall composition of Gram negative bacteria. CNX OpenStax/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 Another unique characteristic of Gram negative bacteria is the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecules on the outer membrane. LPS is a large glycolipid complex that protects bacteria from harmful substances in their environment. It is also a bacterial toxin (endotoxin) that can cause inflammation and septic shock in humans if it enters the blood. There are three components of the LPS: Lipid A, a core polysaccharide, and an O antigen. The lipid A component attaches the LPS to the outer membrane. Attached to the lipid A is the core polyssaccharide. It is located between the lipid A component and the O antigen. The O antigen component is attached to the core polyssaccharide and differs between bacterial species. It can be used to identify specific strains of harmful bacteria. Gram Negative Cocci Gram negative cocci refer to Gram negative bacteria that are spherically shaped. Bacteria of the genus Neisseria are examples of Gram negative cocci that cause disease in humans. Neisseria meningitidis is diplococcus, meaning that its spherical cells remain in pairs after cell division. Neisseria meningitidis causes bacterial meningitis and can also cause septicemia and shock. Neisseria meningitidis are spherical, Gram negative bacteria which cause meningitis in humans. The bacteria are typically seen in pairs, each one concave on the side facing its partner. Health Protection Agency/Science Photo Library/Getty Images Another diplococcus bacterium, N. gonorrhoeae, is the pathogen responsible for the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea. Moraxella catarrhalis is a Gram negative diplococcus that causes ear infections in children, upper respiratory system infections, endocarditis, and meningitis. Gram negative coccobacillus bacteria have bacterial shapes that are in between spherical and rod shaped. Bacteria of the genus Haemophilus and Acinetobacter are coccobacilli that cause serious infections. Haemophilus influenzae can cause meningitis, sinus infections, and pneumonia. Acinetobacter species cause pneumonia and wound infections. Key Points: Gram Positive vs. Gram Negative Bacteria Most bacteria can be broadly classified as Gram positive or Gram negative.Gram positive bacteria have cell walls composed of thick layers of peptidoglycan.Gram positive cells stain purple when subjected to a Gram stain procedure.Gram negative bacteria have cell walls with a thin layer of peptidoglycan. The cell wall also includes an outer membrane with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecules attached.Gram negative bacteria stain pink when subjected to a Gram stain procedure.While both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria produce exotoxins, only Gram negative bacteria produce endotoxins. Sources Silhavy, T. J., et al. The Bacterial Cell Envelope. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, vol. 2, no. 5, 2010, doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a000414.Swoboda, Jonathan G., et al. Wall Teichoic Acid Function, Biosynthesis, and Inhibition. ChemBioChem, vol. 11, no. 1, June 2009, pp. 35–45., doi:10.1002/cbic.200900557.

KAISER Surname Meaning and Family History

KAISER Surname Meaning and Family History The Kaiser surname means king or ruler, from the Middle High German keiser, meaning emperor. Originating from the Latin name Caesar, this name was often given to individuals who played the part of King in local plays and pageants year after year - a popular pastime during the middle ages. The name may also have been given to one with a kingly appearance or manner. The phrase The Kaiser is considered synonymous with the Kaiser emperors of the Austrian Empire (1804–1835)- Franz I, Ferdinand I, Franz Joseph I, and Karl I- and emperors of the German empire (1871–1918)- Wilhelm I, Friedrich III and Wilhelm II. Surname Origin:  German Alternate Surname Spellings:  KEISER, KEYSER, KISER, KYSER, KIZER, KYZER Famous People with the KAISER Surname Henry J. Kaiser  - American industrialistFrederik Kaiser  - Dutch astronomerReinhard Keiser -  Ã‚  German composer Where is the KAISER Surname Most Common? According to surname distribution from Forebears, the  Kaiser surname is most common in Liechtenstein ranking as the countrys 25th most common surname. It is also popular in Germany (ranked 30th), Austria (50th) and Switzerland (89th).  WorldNames PublicProfiler  indicates the surname is especially common in the Ostschweiz region of Switzerland, particularly in Sankt Gallen. It is also prevalent throughout southern Germany, especially in the regions of Baden-Wà ¼rttemberg, Hessen and Rheinland-Pfalz. Surname maps from Verwandt.de  indicate the  Kaiser last name is most common in southwestern Germany and western Germany, especially in the counties or cities of Waldshut, Esslingen, Cologne, Offenbach, Stuttgard and Hochsauerlandkreis.   Genealogy Resources for the Surname KAISER Meanings of Common German SurnamesUncover the meaning of your German last name with this free guide to the meanings and origins of common German surnames. Kaiser Family Crest - Its Not What You ThinkContrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Kaiser  family crest or coat of arms for the Kaiser surname.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted. The Kaiser DNA ProjectIndividuals with the  Kaiser surname, or variants such as Kizer, Kiser, Kyser, Kyzer, Keyser, or Keiser, are invited to join this DNA Project to work together to find their common heritage through DNA testing and sharing of information.  The website includes information on the project, the research done to date, and instructions on how to participate. KAISER  Family Genealogy ForumThis free message board is focused on descendants of Kaiser  ancestors around the world. FamilySearch - KAISER  GenealogyExplore over 1.3  million results from digitized  historical records and lineage-linked family trees related to the Kaiser surname on this free website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. KAISER Surname Mailing ListFree mailing list for researchers of the Kaiser surname and its variations includes subscription details and a searchable archives of past messages. DistantCousin.com - KAISER Genealogy Family HistoryExplore free databases and genealogy links for the last name Kaiser. GeneaNet - Kaiser  RecordsGeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Kaiser surname, with a concentration on records and families from France and other European countries. The Kaiser Genealogy and Family Tree PageBrowse genealogy records and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the Kaiser surname from the website of Genealogy Today.- References: Surname Meanings Origins Cottle, Basil.  Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967. Dorward, David.  Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998. Fucilla, Joseph.  Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges.  A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989. Hanks, Patrick.  Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003. Reaney, P.H.  A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997. Smith, Elsdon C.  American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997. Back to  Glossary of Surname Meanings Origins

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS case assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS case - Assignment Example To achieve, the social organization aims at helping parents, educators, other residents, as well as additional stakeholders with emphasis on developing a safe learning environment for children. The first goal of HCZ was to set up a seamless system with necessary support to the child before birth through to adulthood in college. The goal was to have a best-practice conveyor belt. The biggest problem faced by the social organization was evaluating and measuring the success of the same. Secondly, the top management at HCZ aimed at helping children from humble and troubled backgrounds to grow actively and become healthy adults within their respective communities. HCZ aims at building a society with healthy children and the community simultaneously. In the process, the focus of the institution went on important groups and frequency. To help children grow into responsible adults, HCZ attached two strategies to this goal. Children remained under the watch of responsible parents. It was expected that the caring parents would be ideal models for children to learn from as they grow. The second strategy was exposing children to the right healthcare, social stimulation, intellectual ascendancy, as well as continued guidance. To run the project effectively, the management integrated the two strategies into the overall model upon which the institution ran. In his opinion, the president and Chief Executive of the social organization felt that pursuing a zone approach stood out as the best framework for the development of the entire project. In its design, the methodology meant the project will have cumulative and a scalable influence on the sampled population. Furthermore, the management at HCZ put in place strict geographical boundaries that guided delivery of services. The success of zone approach relied on obtaining sustainable funding. Sourcing for additional money was important to achieve meaningful growth. In the process, HCZ

All forms of government welfare should be abolished Essay - 4

All forms of government welfare should be abolished - Essay Example money that is given to people who will not work even though they are physically able to will only encourage laziness and cause the economy of a nation to suffer. In most cases, unpleasant circumstances usually perfect a person’s character in the long term. The type of dependent behavior that is invariably encouraged by welfare just destroys a person’s capacity to grow. The American welfare program provides enough proof of the inadequacies of welfare. This program, while created to encourage jobless citizens to get inspired to look for work and sustain themselves, has only inspired a sense of entitlement in unemployed grown adults. The United States has become a foster parent of capable people who refuse to help themselves. Even though the American government began to provide welfare options for its needy citizens in the 60s, the poverty level has stayed the same, even though government welfare funds have continued to increase on a constant basis. At present, the American government sponsors 70 welfare programs at nearly $1 trillion annually (Voegelli, 2012). This figure is almost 13 times what it was when the welfare program was started in the 1960s (Voegelli, 2012). Put your claim/position and â€Å"evidence† through the â€Å"Scientific Method† and â€Å"Proving a theory† steps. Are there any steps on which your claim/position and evidence do not measure up to the examination? If so, what can you do to make them more acceptable? According to the American Census Bureau statistics in 2010, there are 114.8 million family units in America. If 34.2% of American families  seek assistance from welfare programs, this implies that roughly 39.3 million American homes get welfare benefits on a monthly basis. The American government spent more than $451.9 Billion on welfare expenditures in 2012. To expand one’s knowledge as regards welfare, this means that every family that was accepted as a welfare case received $11,500 that year. According to Voegelli (2012), the

Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior Essay Example for Free

Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior Essay In the article, â€Å"Why Chinese mothers are Superior, Chua describes her efforts to give her children what she describes as a traditional, strict â€Å"Chinese† upbringing. ] This piece was controversial. Many readers missed the supposed irony and self-deprecating humor in the title and the piece itself and instead believed that Chua was advocating the â€Å"superiority† of a particular, very strict, ethnically defined approach to parenting. In fact Chua has stated that the book was not a how-to manual but a self-mocking memoir. In any case, Chua defines â€Å"Chinese mother† loosely to include parents of other ethnicities who practice traditional, strict child-rearing, while also acknowledging that â€Å"Western parents come in all varieties,† and not all ethnically Chinese parents practice strict child-rearing. Chua also reported that in one study of 48 Chinese immigrant mothers, the vast majority said that they believe their children can be the best students, that academic achievement reflects successful parenting, and that if children did not excel at school then there was a problem and parents were not doing their job. Chua contrasts them with the view she labels â€Å"Western† – that a child’s self-esteem is paramount Amy makes it clear that the Asian kids are not born smart (For the most part, at least) It is hard work and training from the parents that shapes the children into these wonder kids. To prove her point she lists up a number of things that her daughter were never allowed to do, such as: * Have a play date * Watch television or play computer games * Attend a school play * Complain about not in a school play And so on.. Prohibitions that seems totally unreasonable for us â€Å"westerns†, as she loosely has named us. Throughout the text she covers several perspectives on parenting, which of a few I surprisingly agree on. Most of her viewpoints I deeply disagree with though and is far from my idea about proper parenting. Each time she lists up one of her perspectives, she compares the Chinese perspective with the Western perspective. She does this in a very subjective manner I think. She is very clever rhetorically. At some parts of the text, I actually caught my self being very close to getting dragged towards her side. I found it quite amusing to feel the power of pathos, but at the same time a bit daunting. According to Amy, the main difference between Chinese parents and Western parents is the way they see their children. Western parents believe that respecting their children’s choices, their individuality and always encouraging them to pursue their true passions is the way. In contrast, Chinese parents believe that preparing their children for the future, and..

Hospice Care: Death With Dignity Essay -- Dying with Dignity

The beginning of life is celebrated. Books and resources are shared among friends and family in preparation for becoming a new parent. So, what happens as one approaches the end of life? Unfortunately, the same care and sharing rarely occurs in those circumstances and many face the prospect of dying unprepared. Though most people state they would prefer to die at home, this is often not where death occurs. Many Americans spend their last days attached to medical apparatus that keeps the body alive, but it does not allow for communication with family and often requires heavy sedation. Additionally, this level of treatment comes at a high price. As a society, we must become as comfortable in addressing the end of life process as we are with the beginning of life. One way that this can be done more effectively is through increased knowledge and use of hospice care. Hospice care is a viable option that provides health care cost savings, comfort to the patient, and support to the caregivers, however as hospice systems become more commercialized, care must be taken to avoid the pitfalls that are inherent in larger organizations. Hospice care is a relatively young option in the United States, with the first hospice organization founded in 1971 after gaining acceptance in England in the 1950s (Jensen, 2012). Hospice care is provided to those who are diagnosed with a terminal condition that is expected to culminate in death within six months. Unlike regular health care which focuses on curative procedures, hospice services focus on the comfort of the patient in order to ease the process of dying. These services provide benefits to the patient and the caregivers, as well as showing cost savings. It is no secret that healt... ...NHPCO facts and figures: Hopice care in America. Alexandria, VA. Perry, J. E., & Stone, R. C. (2011). In the business of dying: Questioning the commercialization of hospice. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 39(2), 224-234. doi:1111/j.1748-720X.2011.0059.x Robinson, L., & Segal, J. (2012). Quality of life at the end of life: A guide to hospice and palliative care at home or in a hospice facility. Retrieved from Helpguide.org: www.helpguide.org/elder/hospice_care.htm Seeger, P. (2012). Turn, turn, turn lyrics. Retrieved from metrolyrics.com: http://www.metrolyrics.com/turn-turn-turn-to-everything-there-is-a-season-lyrics-the-byrds.html Taylor, D., Ostermann, J., Houtven, C. V., Tulsky, J., & Steinhauser, K. (2007). What length of hospice use maximizes reduction in medical expenditures near death in the US Medicare program? Social Science & Medicine, 1466-1478.

Provided for Me and My Family Essay

Unions have proven to be quite an essential addition to the labor force as it helps fight for the members’ rights. It simply creates a better working chemistry between the employees and the employers; both of which equally important to each other. A better mutual relationship between the employees and the employers would provide a better work output for the company. Hence, the existence of the Union is quite vital in maintaining this relationship. There have already been some rights breaches in the past. However, there has not been any major conflict between the two so far. The Local 743 is a union wherein my dad is a member of. As far as I can recall, they have continued to provide security for me and my family which has been always good for us. The benefits that we have garnered from my dad’s membership to Local 743 have been always great. The Local 743 has existed for the sole purpose of providing and supporting for the rights of its members in the working force, as well as their families. Its main objective as a union, as any union would have, is to uphold the rights of its members. If the union finds something that breaches the labor rights of the workforce, then it formulates strategies to improve the treatment of employers towards their employees. This would create the most desirable atmosphere for the two classes to coexist minus the conflict. My family has received a lot of benefits from Local 743 as it assured my father a sense of security; financially and in other forms that could help benefit us, especially my father. My father’s membership to Local 743 has been quite a blessing for us as a family since it supported us for what we truly needed. Of course, it is not just us that the union gazes upon but for the other members and their families as well; it does not provide special attention to selfish needs. Only the most essential needs of the members and their families are attended by the union; like education for children, financial security for troubled households, and upholding the rights of the labor force. Last year, I was awarded the Local 743 Presidents Scholarship which helped pay for my schooling. My family and I were very grateful for such an honor that was provided by Local 743 because it took off the financial woes of my parents with regard to my education. It definitely cut the some of the education costs that my parents have provided for my siblings. Cutting such costs can help my parents provide me and my siblings a better life and hopefully, a better future. I am very grateful for being given the scholarship. In showing my gratefulness to what was given to me, I strived to work harder and promised my parents that I will do my best in my school. I know that it was not my own money that provided for my education. So it is just most courteous to show the Local 743 that I truly appreciated what they have given me to help my parents with my education, by showing them a great result in my schooling. Again, I am very delighted and grateful. As a member, my father was ensured better job security by the union Local 743. It helped him and his co-workers uphold their rights, making sure that there is no maltreatment done to them while in the workplace or outside of work. It is the Local 743’s objective, after all which my family and I are grateful for. The benefits that we have garnered throughout my father’s membership have been great so far, which we truly appreciate and feel truly blessed with. With the presence of Local 743, my father felt secured in his job and in providing me and my family what he feels which we need the most. My father is grateful for being accepted as a member of Local 743 and for the benefits we have garnered from them. I believe that every member and their families would also say the same thing about Local 743. The rights of the employees are most important for labor unions like Local 743. They would help employees fight for their rights and correct the wrong that has been done to them by employers, or at least what they felt was wrong. They advocate for the workers’ rights which they think are being breached by their employers. The great thing about having labor unions is the fact that they can help equalize the imbalance that is occurring inside the company. Most victims of oppression in the workplace are the ones belonging to the blue-collar group. The presence of the unions makes certain that balance is kept and that employee oppression is minimized. My father’s membership to Local 743 has been nothing less than beneficial for me and my family. Being able to experience the benefits that were given to me (the scholarship) and my family (financial security), I could say that Local 743 has provided so much for upholding the rights of its members and for aiding their families with what they truly needed most. I would like to thank Local 743 for their continuous support for their numerous members in the workforce, as well as their families.