Download HIV, Herpes, Influenza, small pox, chicken pox, measles, mumps

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Understanding Viruses
Section 1
1.
List as many viruses as you can.
HIV, Herpes, Influenza, small pox, chicken pox,
measles, mumps, bird flu, swine flu.
2. How do viruses reproduce? (aside from the video explanation, see pgs.486- 487 in the
text).
They inject their DNA into living cells and use the
cell’s machinery to manufacture more virus.
3. Explain how World War I contributed to the flu pandemic of 1918?
For the first time in history, large numbers of
people from different parts of the world came in direct
contact with each other. More people died from
infectious disease during the war than soldiers killed in
action
4. Who was immune to small pox? Why were they immune?
Milkmaids were immune to small pox because of
their exposure to cow pox; a condition similar
enough to small pox that allowed them to develop
antibodies.
5. Explain the work of Edward Jenner.
He extracted the fluids from the blisters of cow pox
victims and injected his son with it. He then exposed
his son to a live small pox virus, and though he suffered
a mild sickness, lived. This was the first vaccination
6. How are flu vaccines made?
Flu viruses are grown in chicken embryos. After a
while, they become adapted to living in chicken
cells rather than human cells. When a human is
injected, the virus initiates a response from the
immune system.
7. Explain the work of Jonas Salk?
Jonas Salk created the polio vaccine. His approach
was different than Edward Jenner in that he did not
use a live form of the disease. This would become
the modern way to produce vaccines for many
other diseases
Section 2
1. What are some ways to fight against viruses?
Immunizations at birth and then booster shots
throughout your life. Sanitation is also important.
Finally, education is crucial, so you know how to avoid
the virus in the first place. The number one reason
there are millions of AIDS cases in Africa is lack of
education.
2. What disease went extinct? When did this happen?
Small pox became “extinct” in 1978 after
the last patient was immunized for it.
There are two labs that house
(Smallpox virus)
smallpox virus; one in the U.S.
and the other is in Russia. There has been pressure
from many organizations to destroy these last
remnants.
3. What are “viral emergents”?
Viral emergents are “old” viruses looking for new
hosts. As people push into new habitats, one real
concern is the release of new viruses to our bodies that
have no protection against them.
4. Why is it so important for virologists to study life forms in tropical rainforests?
Many species are unknown and may be hosts to new,
unidentified viruses that could affect us. By studying
these life forms and the viruses that live in them, we
will be better prepared to deal with them.
5. What is HIV? Where did it originate and how did it spread?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus destroys
your immune system. It began in
monkeys and spread from local
villages to larger populations.
(
Coupled with world travel and specific behaviors, this
led to the AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s.
HIV 100 billionths of a meter!)
6. How might viruses help cure genetic disease? Provide a specific example.
Viruses can be used in genetic engineering.
Specifically, they can act as delivery systems for genes
we want placed in a cell. People with cystic fibrosis (a
disease of the lungs) are responding well to a
treatment whereby the common cold virus has been
engineered to deliver working copies of the mutant
gene. Tobacco plants are also being used to make
antibodies to treat Ebola infections (ZMAPP)
Things you may want to check out on your own….