Lab Introduction:
Understanding what’s happening in the world right now means understanding microbiology. We’ve started with a basic understanding of viruses—undefined in any of Woese’s 3 domains, they are parasites that need the host’s energy. We study energy and metabolism in Unit I: Chapters 2 and 5 remind us that, like us, organisms inside of human hosts are also chemoheterotrophic. In future chapters, we learn about how our bodies respond to infectious particles– Epidemiology (Chs. 14 & 15) and Immunology (Chs. 16-20) are foundational studies in Microbiology. They help humans track disease causation, human anatomy & physiology effects, and often lead to new methodologies (e.g., vaccination, antibiotics) that aim to protect future humans. Right now, humans are responding to an enigmatic virus (termed COVID-19) utilizing these same studies. In this lab exercise, you will research current epidemiology and immunology about a virus that has created a recent pandemic.
Learning Goals:
- Identify “epidemiology” and its methodologies.
- Identify “immunology” and its methodologies.
- Research current COVID-19 epidemiology from reputable scientific websites, including (but not limited to): who.int (World Health Organization), cdc.gov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and 1+ more (student’s choice).
- Research human immunology—the way(s) in which the human body responds to viruses (including Coronaviruses of the past).
- Develop a plan for your community in response to COVID-19 outbreak.
