starship-design: Re: Bugs again

[KellySt@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/25/98 11:25:26 AM, you wrote:

>Hello Kelly,
>
>>>I think it is quite save to say that there isn't any fertile spot on Earth
>>>were there aren't bacteria already. These bacteria likely have
>>>overtaken/driven away all weaker kinds of bacteria and thus are the fittest
>>>and most numerous for that particular spot.
>>
>>Your asuming they have an evolved defence against the intruders (unlikly)
and
>>that the bacteria themselves might not be the food for the intruder.  Even
>>tiny samples of more toxic bacteria introduced into a filled culture, will
>>whip out the rest of the stuff in the culture.
>
>You are assuming that the alien bacteria evolved a defence against their
>Earthly enemies and that these alien bacteria might not be food for
>that-spot's-fittest bacteria. 
>It may seem as if I'm making fun of you, but to me this seems a number
>game, the largest group is most likely to win.

Its probably more a game of luck.  Proabably most invading bugs would be
whiped out, but if one strain survives it could have stagering impacts.


>>>The likelyhood of survival of a few bacteria that are not (yet) adapted to
>>>that spot is therefore small. Assuming the spot is suitable for the new
>>>bacteria, they'd need to be much stronger to get the overhand while being
>>>attacked by a majority that has the advantage of being adapted best to the
>>>particular spot.
>
>====================================================================
>
>>>>That only works on bacteria that are sensative to temps.  Some can survive
>>>>(even thrive) in swings of hundreds of degrees.  Also our body only runs a
>>>>feaver if it senses a infection it knows to react against.
>>>
>>>Survival is something very different from thriving. I doubt that there are
>>>bacteria that can thrive in a large range of temperatures. 
>>
>>There are.  The ones merntioned above handel frezing to hundreds of degrees
>>water just fine.  They can survive far worse.
>
>But these bacteria cannot possibly be equally comfortable along the whole
>temperature range. In general there is only a small temperature range where
>a range of chemical reactions will happen fastest. This small range is the
>only "place" where the bacteria can thrive fastest. For bacteria that
>attack humans this temperature optimum is likely our body temperature, thus
>any deviation from that will slow their development.

Some bacteria can do well in a rediculas range.  MOst we are familure with at
least prefer moderate liquid water temps.  But who knows.


>>Many unnatural substances can be introduced without reactino.  the deseases
>>that kill us specifically are ones the body often does not react to
effectivly
>>or at all.
>
>Only substances that already are present in the human body, or substances
>that look like substances present in the human body will not be attacked.

Not true.  Many subnstances trigger no reaction if imbeded.  (Medical implants
naturally use a lot of them.  Many microbes (generally harmless) are ignored
by the body and trigger no reaction.  Until the immune system detects
something like a virus is dangerous it triggers no reaction.


>>>No, some creatures just can quickly enough find spots where our body's
>>>immune system is very ineffective or hardly notices it. Other substances
>>>like poisons are just attacking too fast for our body the react against (if
>>>they are in large enough quantities). In general relative small quantities
>>>won't make much of a chance.
>>
>>Poisons can work quickly or take years.  They are just chemical componds.
If
>>the body doesn't normally break them down and excreat them safely, we get
>>hurt.
>
>Poisons that work over years are usually substances that are present in our
>bodies, but normally in small quantities. 

No I was thinking more along the line of heavy metal contamination, where te
bodies processes are disrupted chemically, but our bodies have no natural
ability to purge them.

>For many substances the body
>excretes what is too much, but in some cases that isn't possible.
>Poisons that act quickly, will for example clot the blood, or do something
>else that immobilizes or slows down our immune system.
>Poisons that work over the years are attacked by our body. We usually die
>because our body has to do too much work excreting and fighting the poison
>for an extensive time. (eg. our liver may break down)

Thats a good example too.

>
>Timothy


Kelly