Aerobiology
Encyclopedia
Aerobiology is a branch of biology
that studies organic particles, such as bacteria
, fungal spore
s, very small insects, pollen
grains and viruses, which are passively transported by the air (Spieksma, 1991). Aerobiologists have traditionally been involved in the measurement and reporting of airborne pollen and fungal spores as a service to allergy
sufferers (Larsson, 1993).
In 2002, algae
and other small water-borne organisms were discovered to inhabit clouds. A large cloud has about as much water as a shallow lake of the same geographic size.
An important medical application of aerobiology is the study of the transmission of airborne disease
s. It is known that many bacteria and viruses can be spread through the air, possibly within droplets.
Aerobiology is a rapidly developing science, which also involves interactions with engineering
and meteorology
.
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
that studies organic particles, such as bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
, fungal spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s, very small insects, pollen
Pollen
Pollen is a fine to coarse powder containing the microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes . Pollen grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the...
grains and viruses, which are passively transported by the air (Spieksma, 1991). Aerobiologists have traditionally been involved in the measurement and reporting of airborne pollen and fungal spores as a service to allergy
Allergy
An Allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Allergic reactions occur when a person's immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment. A substance that causes a reaction is called an allergen. These reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid...
sufferers (Larsson, 1993).
In 2002, algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
and other small water-borne organisms were discovered to inhabit clouds. A large cloud has about as much water as a shallow lake of the same geographic size.
An important medical application of aerobiology is the study of the transmission of airborne disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s. It is known that many bacteria and viruses can be spread through the air, possibly within droplets.
Aerobiology is a rapidly developing science, which also involves interactions with engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
and meteorology
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
.