Immunity: How & Why

Every wonder why you need multiple injections to be considered immunized? For some inoculations, you must return to the doctor’s office for several shots, and for others, you need only one prick of the medical needle. Why is this? Immunological memory--how well your immune system is able to recognize a certain ANTIGEN (bad guy) and choose an ANTIBODY (good guy) to defeat the unwelcome guest—is the key. Immunological memory protects the body from re-infection by recognizing the bacterium or virus that once caused harm, remembering which ANTIBODY was used to fight the bacterium or virus, and calling upon the supply of these ANTIBODIES, which the body has in store. In some cases, three separate injections are necessary to build up the body’s supply of ANTIBODIES to a level considered to be immune.

>ANTIBODY



VIRUS

The decision to immunize their children is one that all parents must make. Due to the possible side effects, such as autism, some parents do not want to immunize their children. Other parents see this decision as irresponsible and as a threat to the safety of others. In some cases, actually getting a disease, such a chicken pox, could be safer than getting the vaccine because it allows children to naturally build up their immune system without the possible side effects of the vaccine. However, before deciding whether or not to immunize, the danger known as a “super bug” must be taken into consideration. “Super bugs” are viruses and bacteria that have become resistant to vaccines. While this information may seem to favor not immunizing children, those who have not received vaccines are actually at greater risk. Those who have received the vaccine may show mild to moderate symptoms as a result of the super bug, but those who are not vaccinated are more likely to have severe symptoms. Just remember, this is an important decision, so it is wise to understand all available options.

To view a chart of recommended childhood immunization schedule, click here: http://click4biology.info/c4b/11/immunisation.htm

Thanksgiving: Debunked

In light of the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, I thought researching the history of the first Thanksgiving would be an interesting activity. What I found is not only fascinating, it is shocking as well!


MYTH: Thanksgiving has been celebrated annually since the Pilgrims’ great meal in 1621.

Thanksgiving was not a national holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln issued a “Thanksgiving Proclamation,” declaring the last Thursday of November to be the national day of thanksgiving. Congress did not proclaim Thanksgiving as a legal holiday until 1941.


FACT: The Native Americans brought five deer with them to the Thanksgiving feast.


MYTH: The Pilgrims dressed in black and white, with buckles on their hats and shoes, and the Native Americans wore loincloths.

While numerous artists have depicted the colonists and Native Americans in this attire, the truth resides in fact. First, buckles were not worn until several decades later, and black and white clothing was reserved for Sundays. The colonists most likely wore a variety of colors, including green, brown, beige, yellow, reds, and even purples. Second, the Native Americans were probably clothed in more than loincloths due to the chilly fall weather of Massachusetts.



FACT: The only primary source evidence of the First Thanksgiving is an entry in Edward Winslow’s journal. Winslow, the governor of Plymouth Colony, explained that the colonists shared a feast with Chief Massasoit and ninety Wampanoag Native Americans.


MYTH: The First Thanksgiving occurred in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

While traditionally, we consider the First Thanksgiving to have occurred in early November 1621, the America’s REAL first Thanksgiving occurred in St. Augustine, Florida on September 8, 1565. On this date, Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed on what is now known as Matanzas Bay of the St. Augustine settlement.




I hope all of you have a restful Thanksgiving and spend lots of time with friends and family!

The science of autumn colors...

If you’re like us, you love watching the trees change from forest green to a menagerie of yellows, oranges, and reds. These colors seem to decorate the landscape around Arkansas and remind Arkansans that the chills of winter are approaching.

The key to this transformation is chlorophyll, or, rather, the lack of chlorophyll in leaves.

As you may remember from fifth grade life science, chlorophyll is the green pigment in leaves that enables trees to produce food, using light from the sun.

As summer’s warmth departs and night becomes longer, the production of chlorophyll gradually slows down until it stops. This accounts for the absence of leave’s green color.

Chlorophyll, which usually masks the pigments Carotenoid and Anthocyanin, is absent, enabling these pigments to show their true colors. Carotenoid accounts for the yellows, oranges, and browns, while Anthocyanin has red and blue tints.

However, as Robert Frosts’ poem states, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” The trees eventually shed their leaves, for a leaf without chlorophyll is like an empty file cabinet: its useless and it takes up space.

So ends the life of a leaf, once green and now golden. It’s final journey will take it from your yard to the trash can. Happy raking!

Stay Healthy! Visit Health Hall

During this cold and flu season, take a trip to Health Hall right here at the Museum of Discovery!










Map the brain in an interactive game.









Discover just how flexible you are!
Also...
Chart your blood pressure, see how blood flows through the heart, AND check your heart rate!




You can even practice dentistry using real dental equipment.








Looking for a unique and original gift for the holidays? How about the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu)! At the Museum store, you can buy a stuffed plush version of the real thing. This will definitely be a gift to wow and entertain! Check out all the available bacteria and viruses at www.giantmicrobes.com.