Unit 21:
Biomedical
Science
Techniques
Summative
Workbook
,Student name: Samuel James
Student number: 10183278
Aim
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to develop the skills and techniques
used in a biomedical context. Although much of the testing is now
automated, doing tests manually will give access to important theory behind
the modern tests.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
LO1: Be able to investigate the structure and characteristics of
major groups of organisms of medical importance;
Structure and characteristics of the major groups of organisms of
medical importance: bacteria (circular DNA, cell membrane, cell
wall, capsule, flagella, pili, cocci, bacilli, Gram stain); viruses
(obligate intracellular parasites, DNA or RNA nucleic acid, capsid,
capsomere, envelope, spikes, use of photomicrographs to view
structure); fungi
Concepts of parasitism: symbiosis; commensalism; pathogenicity
Sources of infection: human reservoirs; animal reservoirs; non-living
reservoirs
Routes of transmission: contact; vehicle; vectors
Routes of entry into the body: orifices; droplets; body fluids
Antimicrobials: asepsis; disinfection; sterilisation; antibiotics;
antiviral agents; antifungal agents
Demonstrate: preparation and observation of heat fixed smears of
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria samples; determination
of antibiotic sensitivity; practically demonstrate asepsis and
disinfection
P1) Describe the structure and characteristics of major groups of
organisms of medical importance
P2) Carry out preparative work related to organisms of medical
importance
Additional notes for gaining P1 and P2, you must carry out smears of
Gram-positive and Gram-negative samples and describe the structure and
characteristics of the range of organisms stated in the content.
M1) Explain the sources of infection, routes of transmission and
entry into the human body of micro-organisms of medical
importance
, Additional notes for M1, You need to explain sources of infection, routes of
transmission, and entry of micro-organisms into the human body. Ensure
that the following key terms are explained: human reservoirs, animal
reservoirs, non-living reservoirs, contact transmission, vehicle
transmission, vector transmission, entry via oral cavity, entry via droplet,
and entry via body fluids.
D1) Assess the effectiveness of antimicrobials
For D1, learners must assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents.
Learners must complete practical activities on the determination of
antibiotic sensitivity, demonstration of asepsis and disinfection using
various chemical media e.g. bleach, disinfectants, antibacterial spray,
sterilising solutions.
Assessment 1: Investigating organisms of medical importance.
Investigate the routes of transmission and entry of organisms of medical
importance.
Use books, the internet, and unit materials (handouts and power points) to
investigate organisms of medical importance. You need to describe
structures and characteristics of bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Bacteria
Explain the structure of the organism such as Gram status, commensalism
opportunistic pathogenicity. The class of the organism e.g. Class I, II, or III
Bacteria are a group of unicellular (prokaryotic) microorganisms. The
gram status of bacteria is dependent on the bacterium external structure.
The gram status can be either gram-positive or gram-negative.
Commensalism is the term which describes the relationship between two
types of organisms such as bacteria and humans. This relationship has to
provide the bacteria with benefits such as food, whilst not harming or
providing any negative affect to the host. The relationship between
humans and bacteria are dependent on several factors as they could
cause harm by turning pathogenic, for instance if the host has been taking
antibiotics for a long period but they could also provide benefits. This links
with the term ‘opportunistic pathogenicity’. This is when a microorganism,
which is neutral, in terms of being commensal and not harming the host,
starts to harm the host. An example of an opportunistic pathogen includes
staphylococcus aureus. Bacteria can be all three levels due to the variety
of types. Certain bacteria’s are harmless, which can be studied and kept
within a classroom, whereas other bacteria, which are more harmful, can
only be observed and kept in certain laboratories.
Fungi
