Human Diseases A Webquest Activity for High School Biology

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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*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