Human Environment

Also referred to as "TB," tuberculosis is a highly infectious bacterial disease that affects the lungs by forming nodules and breaking down blood vessels. As the disease progresses and lung capacity, or the ability to breath, worsens, a patient with TB essentially begins to drown in the fluids building up in his or her lungs. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium that is resistant to mild antibiotics. Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air. In areas with poor hygiene and limited healthcare, this disease can proliferate to epidemic proportions.

A concussion can result from a blow to the head which jars or otherwise impacts the brain. Brain function may be impaired temporarily, although a concussion does not always cause unconsciousness. Some of the symptoms and effects of a concussion are nausea, vision or equilibrium disturbances, confusion, and temporary amnesia.

A rough scrape caused by rubbing or grinding an object against the skin, resulting in an inflamed sore spot. The term abrasive refers to a substance, like sand, that can polish out imperfections and expose the underlying material, or, a gruff and disagreeable personality.

The flat piece of metal that covers the engine of automotive vehicles and protects the internal mechanisms. The hood can be locked with a latch and has hinges so that it can be opened to access the engine.

A renowned and prolific American architect famous for designing numerous public buildings as well as residential homes. He is credited as the main contributor to the "prairie school" of architecture, established in the late 1800s and maturing in 1900. Prairie style architecture is characterized by comfort and spaciousness that is achieved through bold, plain walls; low, wide roofs; continuous windows; and large rooms that flow together in an open floor plan. The prairie-style homes designed by Wright in the early 1900s set the tone for the mass production of similar residential homes that were built all over the United Stated throughout the twentieth century.

Some of Wrights' famous designs include the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City (1959); the Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma (1956); and the Marin County Civic Center near San Francisco (1960-1976).

A semi-circular piece of metal that surrounds the trigger of a gun and makes it difficult for the gun to be fired accidentally. The trigger guard attaches to the gun body and the barrel. The first trigger guard was used experimentally in 1901 on rifles, and now trigger guards are a common feature on all types of guns.

Bitter, as an adjective, can mean sour, acidic, or biting. Bitter can also refer to emotions or attitude, suggesting that when one is bitter, one is filled with resentment, spite, and maybe even a little anger or jealousy.

A pistol that uses the force of the recoil to reload and re-position the hammer gun after each shot. Only one bullet is released per shot, meaning that the trigger must be pulled repeatedly to fire additional shots.

A sling for a firearm, usually made of leather or canvas, worn either around the shoulders with the gun resting just under the armpit area, or around the waist.

Generally made of leather or canvas, a shoulder holster is sling for a firearm that is worn around the shoulder, with the gun resting just under the armpit area. If worn beneath a coat, the shoulder holster can conceal the firearm from view.