Tami Port's Blog
Posted by Tami Port
Fall flu season is starting early, as everyone waits for the new H1N1 vaccine to be released. The focus on swine flu vaccines is creating a problem with distribution of seasonal influenza vaccines. Hopefully everyone who is at risk will be able to get flu vaccines, whether they need one, the other or both.
In addition to getting vaccinated, there are behaviors you can engage in to decrease (and those that increase) your risk. Knowledge is power!
Below are the links to several new Microbiology articles that relate to the approaching influenza season. Reading them will help you understand the risks and protect yourself during this double-barrel influenza season.
H1N1 Swine Flu & Seasonal Influenza Article Series
1. What Is the Difference between Seasonal Flu and the New H1N1 Virus?
2. Simple Steps to Help Prevent the Flu
3. Who Should Get Vaccinated for the Flu: H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza?
4. Is the New H1N1 Vaccine Safe?
5. Cover Your Cough and Sneeze to Prevent the Spread of Infectious Disease
6. Safety of H1N1 Flu Mist and Injected Vaccine
7. Why Is Flu More Common in Winter?
8. Diagnosis of Novel H1N1 vs. Seasonal Influenza Virus
Posted by Tami Port
Two new articles are now available describing a simple experiment that can be done to examine how well mouthwash works to kill oral bacteria. The experiment compares alcohol and non-alcohol mouthwashes as well as time spent rinsing the mouth.
This experiment can be found in the new Suite101 articles:
For a Word document of this experiment, go to the Science Prof Online Virtual Cell Biology Classroom. The lecture page on prokaryotic cells contains a link called Mouthwash Experiment on Controlling Oral Bacteria. This link will allow you to download the document.
Geek out and have fun!
Posted by Tami Port
The Virtual Microbiology Classroom offers both free lecture and lab material from an introductory-level college microbiology course.
Virtual Microbiology Lab exercises and PowerPoint topics include:
- Basic Microscopy
- Bacterial Growth Media and Culture
- Differential Staining (Gram, Acid-fast and Endospore)
- Bacterial Control (Heat, UV, Antibiotics and Chemical Disinfectants)
The site also provides free images of lab materials and procedures, including:
- Bacteria: Smears, Heat-fixing & Staining
- Bacterial Colonies
- Bacterial Growth Media
- Compound Microscope
Posted by Tami Port
There are now several articles in the Suite101 Microbiology collection that specifically address the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Here are the links so that you can easily find the cell biology information that you need.
Cell Biology Article Series
- Biology of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
- Prokaryotic Microbe Cell Biology
- Eukaryotic Biology Cell Structure and Function
- What Is a Eukaryotic Cell?
- Eukaryotic Endomembrane System
Posted by Tami Port
I have been slowly but steadily adding a number of microscopy articles to the Microbiology topic at Suite101.
If you are a Cell Biology or Microbiology student first learning to use a scope of trying to re-familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of microscopy, the following articles should help get off to a good start:
Suite101 Microscopy Articles
- What Is a Compound Light Microscope?
- Focusing and Finding Objects with a Light Microscope
- Viewing Bacteria under Oil Immersion
- Preparing a Microscope Slide of Bacteria
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