Exploring the Unseen World

Exploring the Unseen World

Lifelong Learning | This program is completed

9000 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15237 United States
Fisher Room
1/25/2023-2/22/2023
4:00 PM-5:30 PM EST on Wed

Exploring the Unseen World

Lifelong Learning | This program is completed

Did you know that about half of the cells that make up 'you' are microbes? And if we bundle them all together, they would comprise about three pounds of your weight? The reason such a large number of cells can exist in such a compact space is because they are small – a microbial cell is about 1/1000 the size of a human cell. All of these cells are called your microbiome and they are incredibly important to your health. For instance, using some mouthwashes changes the types of microbes in your mouth and this can alter your blood pressure. And then there are all those microbes that we deal with that cause disease, everything from the viruses causing the respiratory diseases like COVID-19, the flu, and RSV to the foodborne bacteria that cause gastrointestinal distress. And not all microbes are bad, actually less than one percent cause the problems we deal with while the other 99 percent are helping us to break down materials in the environment to recycle nutrients or fighting off those microbes that cause problems.

This class is offered both in-person and via Zoom.

Reznik, Joseph
Joseph Reznik

Joseph Reznik is an adjunct faculty member at the Community College of Allegheny County. He teaches in both the sciences and mathematics. Mr. Reznik earned is B.A. in Biology and B.S. in Mathematics from the College of Charleston. In addition to teaching, he trains to do sprint triathlons, pedicabbing local sporting events, and works on the Woods Run Watershed Task Force to engage the community in watershed issues.