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Unit C: Disease Defence and Human Health

Assortment of the bacteria Escherichia coli

Introduction to Bacteria

Backgrounders

What exactly are bacteria? What types of bacteria are there? And are they really as bad as people think they are?

Inflammation of the knee

The Immune Response: A Cellular War

STEM Explained

An inflammatory response is your body’s attempt to fight invaders. Learn how your body springs into action when attacked!

Coronavirus

Introduction to Viruses

Backgrounders

Learn about the basics of viruses.

Calico cat

The Science Behind the Calico Cat's Colours

STEM Explained

The patchwork fur colour of Calico and tortoiseshell cats is an interesting case of genetics, heredity and sex-linked traits.

Greta Bauer

Greta Bauer

Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Greta Bauer is a Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University.
Jillian Croke | Pharmacienne et pharmacienne gestionnaire

Jillian Croke

Pharmacist/Pharmacy Manager

Jillian Croke is a Pharmacist/Pharmacy Manager for Shoppers Drug Mart.
Red-haired woman

The Chemistry of Redheads

STEM Explained

Learn how chemistry and genetics makes redheads stand out from the crowd.

Bread and wheat with a warning sign

Celiac Disease: When You Really Need to Stay Gluten-Free

STEM Explained

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. Gluten triggers an immune system response, seriously affecting nutrition.

Cartoon of people cleaning teeth

How can chemistry help you take care of your teeth?

STEM Explained

What are your teeth made up of? What chemistry is at work in your mouth? Why do some people get cavities even if they brush regularly?

Suffering from a hangover

Why Do People Get Hangovers?

STEM Explained

Why does drinking too much alcohol make people feel so bad? Read about four theories.

Finger with a drop of blood

The Immune Response

STEM Explained

When you cut your finger, your immune system kicks in to protect you from pathogens.

man sick with the flu

The Surprising Reason You Feel Awful When You're Sick

STEM Explained

Viruses can make you feel awful! This article explains how feeling bad might be your immune system’s way of helping you heal.

Bottle of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine

Measles and Measles Prevention

STEM Explained

Learn about the measles virus, its impact and vaccination for prevention of the disease.

A 3D-rendered illustration of stem cells

My Stem Cell Donation Story

STEM Explained

In April 2016, Let’s Talk Science volunteer Daniel Tarade donated stem cells to help a person who needed a stem cell transplant to survive. Learn what stem cells are, how and why people donate, and what Daniel’s experience was like.

Great tits eat from a bird feeder

Natural Selection in Your Backyard

STEM Explained

A study on bird feeders and beak sizes shows how an everyday human activity can affect the evolution of another species.