Instructions
Match the scientific discovery to the solution to a real-world problem to which it contributes.
Water contaminated with untreated sewage causes diseases such as cholera. Water released from sewage treatment works is disinfected. | Discovery of the virus that causes foot and mouth disease and how it is transmitted. |
Cereal grains become infested with insect pests. Treatment of the grains can protect and preserve them. | Development of vaccines that can provide resistance to some animal diseases such as rabies. |
Oil spills destroy marine life and environments. Straw containing microorganisms can help with the clean up. | Discovery of gamma radiation and its properties to help preserve some foods. |
Severe illnesses are caused by eating contaminated food. Food preservation methods, such as pasteurisation, have been developed. | Discovery of chlorine and its disinfectant properties. |
Animal diseases such a rabies can spread between domestic and wild populations of some animals. Animals can be protected by vaccination. | Discovery of some microorganisms that digest oil. |
Foot and mouth disease can devastate herds of sheep, goats, cattle, deer, pigs and water buffalo. Strict quarantine is used to prevent its spread. | Discovery of microorganisms, their impact on food and how to destroy or prevent them. |
Plants can be destroyed or damaged by sap-sucking or chewing insects. Some genetically modified plants have been developed and bred. | Discovery of a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that kills insects that eat it and how to use its genes. |
Toxic 'heavy metals' impact on animal and human health. Some microorganisms are now used to clean up toxic waste sites. | Discovery of some algae, fungi and bacteria that 'metal scavenge'. |