Recent Breakthroughs in Microbiology (Article Critique Sample)

1 Recent Breakthroughs in Microbiology Student Name Institution Name Course Name Professor Name Due Date 2 Article Summary The Scientific community has known for over a century that the chemical urobilin gives urine its characteristic yellow color. However, the origins and synthesis of urobilin have remained a mystery. The article elucidates that when red blood cells break down after their six-month lifespan, they release bilirubin as a byproduct. This byproduct is then transported into the gut for excretion, but the cells can also absorb a portion of it. The study proves that the gut encodes an enzyme called bilirubin reductase, which converts bilirubin into a colorless byproduct called urobilinogen. Urobilinogen then spontaneously decomposes to urobilin, which gives urine its yellow color (News-Medical.Net, 2024). Article Analysis This study contributed to understanding diseases like jaundice in infants (News-Medical.Net, 2024). Such small breakthroughs eventually accumulate our understanding of the intricacies of microbiology and help us counter diseases, ultimately benefiting humanity. For instance, it is now understood that when high amounts of bilirubin are absorbed from the gut rather than being excreted, it causes yellowing of the eyes and skin. Though it has not been proven yet, scientists believe that the cause of infant jaundice is t...