Example Of Plasmid Progression

* See also Plasmids
* See also ADAM
* See also Sci-Fi_Plasmids
* See also ADAM_Technology
* See also Test_Subjects
==How ADAM Plasmids went from Consumer Gimmicks to 'Combat Plasmids' == 
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==Development Progression of a Plasmid (Example) : ==
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The "B I K" << Think of some acronym for these letters ( default is initials of developer ... )
 'Bik' (Zeppo Lighter) :
Purpose was to be equivalent to a lighter, more a fad/gimmick type of item ( used to impress friends at parties ... ), as matches and lighters were far less expensive for that use ( and early Plasmids were VERY expensive ). Usually placed/localizedLogical that the initial primitive Plasmids were 'installed' by an ADAM technician/professional in a 'shop', as the auto-matic installation (seen in-game) was a far harder Genetic trick to accomplish. on the end of a finger to be easily presented and being away from the rest of the users body. 
Operates by exuding a stream of fuel substance and rapidly igniting it ( spark ? chemical heat trigger ? ), forming a small vertical visible flame for a few seconds. Fuel would be a combination of an alcohol and/or methane, which was biologically produced ( both are ). It would be Ignited by a rapid intense enzymatic exothermic reaction acting directly on the fuel, which would ignite on contact with its air oxidizer. A 'sphincter' valve is used to contain the fuel and igniter components in their sub-dermal/subcutaneous reservoir, it may be self-pressurized, or require a muscle action to create the pressure driving the fuel to the flamepoint. 
Advancements : Controlled by nerve activation - grafted into finger nerves, requires minor training to control. ( Early nerve control of toys like this was what led McClendon to his Bio-Electronics technology. )
Capacity is limited to several uses of a few seconds flame ( probably within some heat buildup tolerance ). 
Recharging its 'fuel reservoir' has a minor impact on metabolism, but with low resource requirements, is fairly quick.
"Flick Your Bik !!!" ( really need another more creative name due to copyright/trademark issues )
Failures usually would be unintended activation, resulting in minor burns and unintended fires.
Improved activation mechanism (early) made it less likely to trigger by accident ( with resulting burns/conflagrations ).
The Installation process required multiple localized ADAM applications, by a technician, to develop/adjust the Plasmid's required tissue formation.
Making this Plasmid cheaper would make it available to more customers ( ie- for a general 'Fad' "Fad" - a temporary fashion, notion, manner of conduct, etc., especially one followed enthusiastically by a group Possible origin : 1834, "hobby, pet project" ( adjective faddy is from 1824 ), of uncertain origin. Perhaps shortened from fiddle-faddle. Or perhaps from French fadaise "trifle, nonsense) status.
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Flambé (Flamo Plasmid) :
Purpose being a Larger Flame ( with a required LARGER tissue modification/addition ) for larger heating/burning applications - it would have use as a tool.
Installation Usually has the flame origin placed at the base of palm/wrist ( like Spiderman's silk thingee ) so that lifting hand/turning wrist can remove hand/fingers from proximity/path of the flame. The Volume of tissue making up the mechanism ( several cubic inches ) is formed, located along the length of an arm ( with low profile to minimize deformation of skin, etc ... )
Operated by some added muscle tissue constricting on a fuel reservoir to pressurize the jet projection and likewise a sphincter muscle to control the flow.
Uses a similar ignition process (to 'Bik'), but with more precise timing control to ignite without flame blowout ( from the pressurized fuel ).
Flame of at least several inches in size, and with force/pressure exerted it may be projected 12 or more inches as a narrower jet of flame. Duration can typically be upto 30 seconds ( within capacity of the fuel reservoir ).
Flame temperature ~600 F ( No Sorry, you can't do welding with that - brazing maybe if you are quick )
This Plasmid has greatly increased fuel usage, and with its intended larger and longer flame duration requires substantially larger fuel capacity than its 'lighter' predecessor. 
Thus a longer recharge time, extended capacity, minimized with accelerated recharging done by one of the integrated component tissues,
Failure - greater self-burning potential, by inadvertent contact of the larger/hotter flame. Also Blowout of ignition. Another is attempting to use too soon before sufficient fuel recharge.
Various installation upgrades/variations might be configurable to use ( faster regeneration rate, greater pressure, larger fuel reservoir capacity, more reliable/versatile ignition ).
It's greater range of adjustments for use requires a bit more skill and control of the components physiologically installed.
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Fireball *** ??? Real Name ??? Isn't The Game One :
Incinerate!
Purpose - mostly as a weapon ( early version ). To be manually projected (thrown) and on impact to break and spread quantity of burning fuel on target. Discourages further enemy action - "When You Are On Fire, People Get out of Your Way !!"
Operation requires solid 'fuel' mass to be thrown at target ( this one isn't shot/fired ) requiring containment and duration to directly or indirectly (set alight) target.
How the flaming mass forms (in hand) how fast (number of seconds) to accumulate ( improvements accelerated the process ) 
Ignition preferred to be delayed while 'in hand' ( burning is still burning, and 'insulated hand is advanced feature )
Fuel might have more oily (hydrocarbon) component to burn slower and splash/stick to the target ( maybe even jellied - semi-solid form ). Sized typically several ounces of weight.
Range/accuracy limited by ballistic path, and users throwing ability ( including accuracy ).
Bright flame effect (for show effect), but also that flame coloration comes from inefficient combustion via atmospheric oxidizer 
Holding in hand ignition timing precision ( ie- chemical trigger )
The Plasmid's Secondary affect is hardening of hand tissue against heat effects of manipulating partially burning projectile ( layered ablative insulation ? )
Has Similar fuel component capacity/regeneration issues as 'Flamo' (flame spewer)
Internal flow path mixing to equalize ratios of components ( correcting settling/separation )
Fails - being thrown before igniting, poor aim, a too rapidly attempted reused (for recharge rate)
Upgrades of larger capacity allowing larger projectile before fuel/component regeneration
Was later used as a contact weapon ( firing a flame at someone within arms length ), and modified for some 'Tonic' abilities.
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Fired A Projectile Fireball
Substitution of a projection tube to replace the need to throw the flaming projectile, and increases potential velocity adds a significant deformation to the original issue 
Internal formation of projectile ( stick ball versus a liquid stream - more body-producedcomponents required to 'thicken' the projected substance )
Fast (explosive) combustion used for projection would ignite projectile 
Upgraded range, projectile regeneration, recharge
Optional 'flame thrower' type stream version ( liquid fire - like spraying napalm )
FIX ?? LOOK UP WHAT VARIATIONS/UPGRADES WERE OFFERED AND WHAT AFFECTS for the game Plasmids of this type)
Effect that spreads in a larger area to hit multiple targets
Greater intensities ( bigger/stronger projectile )
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SORRY - Psi/Magic is fine for Harry Potter, but this is BioShock with at least an attempt at fitting Physical Laws ( no so Fantasy ).
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Before There Was Incinerate! There Was 'Insta-Flame', "Zippo-Thumb" :
This Plasmid builds a nice Methane producing organelle into your finger with an enzyme-based ignition starter and sphincter valve to operate via appropriate nerve linked controls.  The Flame is fairly small.
One might wonder how easy it was to learn to control this ADAM device, and how many people set themselves (or others) on fire at inopportune times by accident ( people with nightmares/hiccups ?? ).    Product improvement was the byword in Rapture, with the inept and inferior products falling by the wayside.  ( Fontaine wasn't as stupid as Fink - He didn't expensively produce whole lines of products that nobody really used ).
Probably more effort was spent in making the Plasmid product's in-body structure ( embedded in the hand and arm ) not to look strange to the customer ( camouflage it --  Unsightly growths or even discolorations would be abhorrent to the "normal Rapture" customers in those earlier times. )   This may be one of the reasons why the side-effects were hidden for so long.   Weapon Plasmids, made later when desperate times came, had less reason to incorporate cosmetic niceties (and prevent  side-effects) AND the Combat Plasmids ALSO made more massive changes to the users physiology ( more to go wrong ).
Alcohol mechanism alternative - Fire Fuel ? ( It is another chemical which living organisms can produce ... )
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