Human Diseases
A Webquest Activity for High
School Biology
Introduction
Background
Information
The Task
The Process
LINKS
Disease
List
Worksheet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction
With all of the news lately about disease outbreaks and epidemics, it is important for us to increase our understanding of human diseases and their pathogenicity. By utilizing the worldwide web and completing this quest you will have gained insight into the nature of diseases and disease research.
BACK
TO TOP
Background
Information
All infectious diseases can be categorized by the type of pathogen that causes them. The 4 main pathogen types are bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi. In this activity you will research a disease and the pathogen that causes it.
Before you can actually begin this project, you will need to select a disease to research from this list. Once you have selected your disease, submit it to the instructor for approval.
The
Task
The Director of the Carbon County Public Health Bureau has selected you to research a disease (the one you selected) that has been diagnosed in a significant number of patients in the local area. He is concerned that an epidemic may be developing. Your task is to inform the public of the nature of this disease and its consequences.
The Process
- Utilizing the online
resources listed below you will find the answers to the following
questions.
1. Symptoms: What are the presenting symptoms of this disease? Are any of these symptoms particularly characteristic of this disease? Is this disease chronic or acute? lethal or non-lethal
2. Cause: What is the infectious agent? Is this agent a virus or bacteria? Describe the agent in DETAIL. What is its classification? To what other organisms is it related? What is known about its structure?
How does the infectious agent interact with the body to produce the symptoms of the disease? What cells or tissues does it infect and how does it damage those cells or tissues?
3. Transmission: How is this disease transmitted from host to host? If there is a vector involved, describe the interaction between pathogen, host and vector in DETAIL.
4. Epidemiology: Where did this disease first emerge? Is it endemic to a particular area, or pandemic? Has it erupted in periodic epidemic outbreaks? If so, where and when? Describe the spread of this disease through a population or around the world, if applicable. What human actions are related to the spread of this disease? Be specific.
5. Treatment: How is this disease treated? If a vaccine is available, describe the components of the vaccine and discuss its effectiveness. If antibiotics are used, discuss the effectiveness of this treatment. What problems currently exist with treatment strategies?
6. Prognosis for the future: How is this disease likely to affect us in the future? Will we be able to eradicate it, or will it continue to threaten humans? Why?
- Write out the answers to the questions on the worksheet provided by the instructor or go here to print out the worksheet if needed.
- When you find an answer to a question, please be sure to record the complete URL (Web Address) that is displayed in the Location: box on your browser.
- It is suggested that you keep track of your findings and research on a separate sheet of notebook paper as you do your research and then transfer them to the worksheet when completed.
- If you come across any new resources, please bookmark the site.
- As a researcher, be aware that your findings are to be reported to the general "public," avoid using complicated medical terms (especially ones that you, yourself don't know!). Use the medical and scientific dictionary sites to define and clarify any such terms.
- Tip: Use the browser's BACK button or GO menu to return to this page when needed.
Ok, Researcher, if you've read the above directions and suggestions, you can get cracking. Begin your research with one of the links below under the heading of Disease Information Directories.
Links
Disease Information Directories
|
|
Diseases - Alphabetical listing of disease links |
|
|
Yahoo! Diseases - Links organized by name of disease |
|
|
Epidemiology Fact Sheet - A list of contagious diseases |
|
|
Communicable Disease Fact Sheets - From NY State Dept. of Health |
|
|
IDWL(Infectious Disease Weblink)- A directory of directories about diseases |
Search Engines
|
|
CHID - Combined Health Information Database |
|
|
Biosciences Index - Searches the WWW Virtual Library Database |
Science/Medical Topics
|
|
OMD - Online Medical Dictionary |
|
|
Life Sciences Dictionary - Terms relating to biology/medicine |
|
|
The Virtual Medical Center - Search medical topics |
|
|
Healthtouch - Table of Contents of Health/Medical related topics |
|
|
What the Heck is a Virus? - Answers the question |
Disease News & Research
|
|
CDC - Centers for Disease Control (large site) |
|
|
Outbreak - Good info on all emerging diseases |
|
|
NCID - National Center for Infectious Diseases |
|
|
WHO - (World Health Organization ) News on communicable & infectious diseases |
Other Interesting Sites
|
|
Photo Gallery of Bacterial Pathogens - Images of many disease-causing agents |
|
|
The Big Picture Book of Viruses - Images of viral pathogens |
|
|
The Microbial Underground - Lots of fascinating links dealing with microbiology |
|
|
Cells Alive - Video images of living bacteria & other cells |
*The questions used in the inquiry part of this webquest were taken from Gen Nelson's activity, "Infectious Disease Presentation" which can be found in the ACCESS EXCELLENCE Activities Exchange. http://www. gene.com/ae/atg/released/0358-GenNelson/description.html
Any comments concerning this webpage can be directed to:
D. Coffman mailto:dcoffman@cliu.org