Module 6
In this activity, you'll use your knowledge of prions from your textbook readings, research review articles, and videos to address the real world health issue of whether bovine or other livestock spongiform encephalopathy is a true threat to our food chain, as well as to human health.
Read the following articles:
Seitz, R., et al., Impact of vCJD on blood supply, Biologicals 35:79-97 (2007)
Zou, W-Q., Gambetti, P., Modeling of human prions and prion diseases in vitro and in vivo Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models 1(2): 157-164 (2004)
Fry, D., Prions: Reassessment of the Germ Theory of Disease, J Am Coll Surg 211(4): 546-552 (October, 2010)
Heppner, F., Arrighi, I., Kalinke, U., and Aguzzi, A., Immunity against prions? Trends in Molecular Medicine 7(11): 477-479 (November, 2001)
View the following playlist: BIO212_Module6_Activity2
Now, based on your reading of the above articles and your viewing of the videos, participate in the following discussion. As with all discussions, please respond thoughtfully and in your own words, being sure to back up each statement of fact with cited sources. Your response should be a minimum of 125 words (about one-half page)
What is Mad Cow Disease and is it a threat to humans? Please explain why you think it is or is not. What are the federal and state governments doing to protect our blood supplies and food supplies (meat) from prions? Is it the responsibility of the blood banks and food companies to safeguard us our blood and food supplies? Is it the responsibility of the federal and/or state governments to safeguard us? If yes, explain why you think so. If no, what, if anything, should be done?
After you have posted your response, thoughtfully and objectively critique responses from two of your peers. Be specific in your critique. If you find something your peer said to be interesting, then state specifically why. If you find an error in something your peer said, then politely point out the error and cite the sources supporting your statement. Be sure to focus your critique on the facts presented and not on the person or anything in the response that may be interpreted as opinion. Note: opinion is not asked for in any of these questions.
Answers are evaluated using the School of Liberal Arts Discussion Board Rubric. Discussions comprise 20% of your final grade.
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M6D2: Viruses and Virulence
Module 6
In this activity, you have the opportunity to apply your understanding of material covered in your textbook readings, research review articles, and videos.
Using what you've learned from your reading, please respond thoughtfully and in your own words to the following questions. Be sure to back up statements of fact with cited sources. Your response should be a minimum of 125 words (about one-half page).
There are two types of viruses, DNA viruses and RNA viruses, and each group has subgroups that utilize different nucleic acid biosynthetic pathways. Which of these two types of viruses do you think is responsible for the deadliest human disease(s)? Specify the disease(s), the viruses, and their biosynthetic pathways. Please explain why you think this or these are the deadliest and give examples from each subgroup to support your answer. Has the group of deadliest diseases changed over time? If so, why do you think this is true?
After you have posted your responses, thoughtfully and objectively review responses from two of your peers. If you find something your peer said to be interesting, then state specifically why. If you disagree with or find an error in something your peer said, then politely explain why you disagree and/or point out the error. In either case, cite the sources supporting your statement. Be sure to focus your critique on the facts presented and not on the person.