(0.0K) |
Mucus
You all know what mucus is, it's that slimy, gooey stuff that
occasionally comes out your nose. Actually, your nose is continually
producing mucus, up to a liter a day. Most of the mucus is swept
back into the throat and down to the stomach. | (12.0K) | Did
you know that the medical term for runny nose is rhinorrhea? (0.0K) |
Cold
(a.k.a.
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)
Colds are caused by viruses. And when you become infected by
a virus, your body's immune system stimulates your nasal membranes
to produce excessive amount of mucus, some of which invariable
falls out the front of your nose. |
Here
is the interesting part: we are not the only ones who are able
to eat mucus. Bacteria find the slimy stuff downright tasty.
If the mucus builds up in our nose, we may end up with a bacterial
infection too.
Two species of bacteria find human mucus especially appetizing,
Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas pyrocyanea.
Both of these bacteria have color. From the photo you can
see S. aureus's color, and with a little hint, you
can figure out the color of P. pyrocyanea. | (6.0K)
Culture
of Staphylococcus aureus |
(0.0K) | What
is the likely range of frequencies that each of these bacteria
absorb? |
|
(0.0K) | Suppose
these two critters set up shop in your nose. What color will
your mucus be? |
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