Understandings:
- Responses to pollution incidents can involve bioremediation combined with physical and chemical procedures.
- Microorganisms are used in bioremediation.
- Some pollutants are metabolized by microorganisms.
- Cooperative aggregates of microorganisms can form biofilms.
- Biofilms possess emergent properties.
- Microorganisms growing in a biofilm are highly resistant to antimicrobial agents.
- Microorganisms in biofilms cooperate through quorum sensing.
- Bacteriophages are used in the disinfection of water systems.
Applications and skills:
- Application: Degradation of benzene by halophilic bacteria such as Marinobacter.
- Application: Degradation of oil by Pseudomonas.
- Application: Conversion by Pseudomonas of methyl mercury into elemental mercury.
- Application: Use of biofilms in trickle filter beds for sewage treatment.
- Skill: Evaluation of data or media reports on environmental problems caused by biofilms.
Guidance:
- Examples of environmental problems caused by biofilms could include clogging and corrosion of pipes, transfer of microorganisms in ballast water or contamination of surfaces in food production.
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International-mindedness:
- During oil spills scientists from different parts of the world work together to protect the environment.
Theory of knowledge:
- Emergent properties are the outcome of the interaction of the elements of a system. In what context is a reductionist approach to science productive and in what context is a reductionist approach problematic?
Utilization:
- Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
- Biology
- Topic 1 Cell
- biology Chemistry
- Option C2 Fossil fuels
- Environmental systems and societies
- Topic 4.4 Water pollution
- Topic 6.3 Photochemical smog
- Topic 6.4 Acid deposition
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