Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (bse), Biology

Assignment Help:

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy  (BSE), is commonly known as mad-cow disease. It is a progressive neurological disorder of cattle that results from an infection by  an unconventional transmissible  agent.  BSE  is  one of a  group of diseases that affect a number of different mammals. These diseases, known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), or Prion  Diseases,  result from  the build-up of abnormal prion proteins  in  the brain and nervous system. BSE  attacks the brain and central nervous  system of the animal and eventually causes death.

 Research has shown that TSEs have two characteristics in common: they can be transmitted between animals, and they cause the same spongy decay of brain tissues. A commonly occurring prion disease is  scrapie.  The  symptoms commonly associated with it  are  disorientation, clumsiness and occasionally, aggressive behavior towards other animals and humans.

What caused the disease? Most  experts agree  that the BSE was  spread  by  cattle eating feed that contained meat-and-bone meal (MBM), which contained BSE infected parts of other grazing animals. MBM is produced in a process called rendering,  this is where  otherwise  unused meat  products  are  taken from the animal carcass and turned  into cattle feed.  Cattle can contract BSE if they are fed infected brain tissue. Thus, it is presumed that BSE was  transmitted  to  cattle through  their animal feed.


Related Discussions:- Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (bse)

Main prophylactic measures against schistosomiasis, What are the main proph...

What are the main prophylactic measures against schistosomiasis? The main measures to stop schistosomiasis are: information for infected individuals to look for treatment and t

Insulin and its functions, People with Type 1 DM produce no insulin. People...

People with Type 1 DM produce no insulin. People with Type 2 DM do not always produce enough insulin. Insulin is used medically to treat some forms of diabetes mellitus. Patients w

Wind energy and its advantages and disadvantages, Wind energy         ...

Wind energy            Wind power is one of most cheapest renewable energy sources today. Wind turbines convert the power of wind into electrical energy. Wind occurs due to t

What are complementary genes, What are complementary genes? Does this inher...

What are complementary genes? Does this inheritance pattern obey Mendel's second law? Complementary genes are the different genes that act together to determine a given phenoty

Explain evolutionary relationship among animal groups, Evolutionary relatio...

Evolutionary relationship among various animal groups is depicted in the cladogram given below. P, Q and R respectively shown: a.  Vertebrae, hair and four limbs. b.  B

Cellular respiration, Cellular respiration Cellular respiration is mor...

Cellular respiration Cellular respiration is more or less a reverse process of photosynthesis. During cellular respiration complex carbon compounds, especially the carbohydrat

Microbiology, different applications of microbiology

different applications of microbiology

Biological conservation, what are the significance of zoological parks in c...

what are the significance of zoological parks in conversation

Define the term prebiotics, Define the term Prebiotics? Dietary Sources...

Define the term Prebiotics? Dietary Sources and their Mode of Action/health Effects We have already seen how prebiotics are defined. Let us go a little in-depth about them. Pre

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd