Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
14th Edition
ISBN: 9781305544703
Author: STARR
Publisher: Cengage
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Chapter 15, Problem 1CT
Summary Introduction
To explain: Whether the research on deadliest influenza virus would be more or less safe.
Concept introduction: The way in which the virus functions is an important tool for designing the effective vaccine against viral infections. The virus can be spread by bioterrorism attacks, and it would be better to make strategy to study the virus structure and functions to defeat it.
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In 1918, an influenza pandemic that originated with avian flu killed 50 million people. Researchers isolated samples of that virus from bodies of infected people preserved in Alaskan permafrost since 1918. From the samples, they sequenced the viral genome, then reconstructed the virus. The reconstructed virus is 39,000 times more infectious than modern influenza strains, and 100 percent lethal in mice.
Understanding how this virus works can help us defend ourselves against other deadly influenza strains that arise. For example, discovering what makes it so infectious would help researchers design more effective vaccines. Critics of the research are concerned: If the virus escapes the containment facilities (even though it has not done so yet), it might cause another pandemic. Worse, terrorists could use the published DNA sequence and methods to make the virus for horrific purposes. Do you think this research makes us more or less safe?
Each year, hundreds of millions of people get sick from diseases like Zika, Dengue Fever, and Yellow Fever that are spread by mosquitoes. Some scientists are investigating the possibility of curbing these mosquito-borne diseases by genetically modifying the mosquitoes, such that they become less able to either reproduce or to carry the disease-causing microbes. Should genetically modified mosquitoes be released into the environment to combat these viruses?
Some advocate stockpiling the drug Tamiflu in the event of an influenza pandemic. Others point out that wealthy, Western nations would have an unfair advantage because developing nations (where the pandemic is most likely to start) would not have access to this expensive antiviral. Furthermore, some fear that indiscriminate use of the drug would promote the evolution of resistant flu strains. Given these caveats, do you think developed nations should stockpile Tamiflu for the protection and treatment of their citizens? Explain your answer
Chapter 15 Solutions
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
Ch. 15 - _________ cut(s) DNA molecules at specific sites....Ch. 15 - Prob. 2SQCh. 15 - Prob. 3SQCh. 15 - For each species, all ________ in the complete set...Ch. 15 - A set of cells that host various DNA fragments...Ch. 15 - Prob. 6SQCh. 15 - Prob. 7SQCh. 15 - PCR can be used _______. a. to increase the number...Ch. 15 - An individuals set of unique _______ can be used...Ch. 15 - A transgenic organism _______. a. carries a gene...
Ch. 15 - Enhanced Spatial Learning in Mice With an Autism...Ch. 15 - Enhanced Spatial Learning in Mice With an Autism...Ch. 15 - Prob. 3DAACh. 15 - Prob. 4DAACh. 15 - True or false? A transgenic organism can pass a...Ch. 15 - Which of the following can be used to carry...Ch. 15 - Prob. 13SQCh. 15 - Match the method with the appropriate enzyme....Ch. 15 - Match each term with the most suitable...Ch. 15 - Prob. 1CTCh. 15 - Prob. 2CT
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- What should be the environmental conditions for the fusion proteins of the influenza virus to show activity? Write. Based on this, what advice can you give people to protect against this virus? explainarrow_forwardUnderstanding how this virus works can help us defend ourselves against other deadly influenza strains that arise. Critics of the research are concerned: If the virus escapes the containment facilities (even though it has not done so yet), it might cause another pandemic. Worse, terrorists could use the published DNA sequence and methods to make the virus for horrific purposes. Do you think this research makes us more or less safe?arrow_forwardIn a recent influenza epidemic, physicians were utilizing a rapid diagnostic test to determine which patients were infected with influenza type A, type B, or not infected with influenza virus. Such a test was not available in the massive 1918 outbreak that killed millions of people around the globe. How might the availability of such a test have impacted that outbreak, and why?arrow_forward
- Please consider the figure attached i. The ordinate (i.e., 'y-axis') represents values for the C or G nucleotide base proportion in sequences (or, in this case, genomes).ii. Influenza viruses that infected birds or moved from birds to humans without spreading are characterised by higher A + U content relative to influenza viruses that infected humans for long time periods.iii. Influenza viruses adapted to human hosts are characterised by lower G + C content relative to influenza viruses that infected birds or moved from birds to humans without spreading. iv. Human and swine influenza A H1N1 strains evolved from a birdlike G + C state to a humanlike G + C state since 1918. v. Data such as those depicted in the figure have been interpreted as evidence that the 1918 influenza virus strain originated from a bird influenza virus population. Question 1 options: A) Statement ii conveys accurate information. B) Statements ii,…arrow_forwardInfluenza vaccines must be changed yearly because the amino acid sequence of the viral proteins change gradually over time. Based on this information, which is the most logical conclusion? The influenza virusa) is enveloped. b) is non-enveloped.c) has a DNA genome. d) has an RNA genome.e) causes a persistent infection.arrow_forwardA virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism. It does this by inserting its genetic material (RNA) into the host cell and integrate its genetic material with the host genome. Explain in details how organisms eliminate the expression of viral genes? How this mechanism can prevent virus infections?arrow_forward
- In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of bacteriophage preparation that can be used on ready-to-eat meat and poultry products to kill Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes listeriosis. Some people may have concerns about the use of phages in foods. From what you have learned about bacteriophages and viruses, why do you think we do not have to be concerned about the presence of bacteriophages in food?arrow_forwardWhat should be the environmental conditions for the fusion proteins of the influenza virus to show activity? Write. Based on this, what advice can you give people to protect against this virus? Write briefly.arrow_forwardSome older vaccines used a weakened strain of the pathogenic virus in the injection in the hope that the weakened virus would induce an immune response without causing disease. The virus vectors used in genetic engineering have all the harmful virus genes cut out and replaced with the foreign gene, such as one that makes a protein that is absent in the human patient. Which type of viral vaccine would you prefer to take as the safest option? Why? Some Covid 19 vaccines in development use the adenovirus, a common vector used in gene therapies, to inject the mRNa for the spike protein into human muscle cells. Why might vaccines using a virus vector be more likely to need only refrigeration and not deep-cold storage, given what you know about viruses?arrow_forward
- Viruses that infect bacterial cells do not infect human cells, and viruses that infect human cells do not infect bacterial cells. Explain why this should be the case.arrow_forwardOne advantage of using bacteria and viruses for genetic study is the fact that they have haploid genomes. Explain why a haploid genome facilitates genetic analysisarrow_forwardAs a general rule, viruses are not considered to be alive based on several reasons. One such reason is that some viruses use RNA as their genetic material instead of DNA. Which of the five biological themes does this violate? Briefly explain why.arrow_forward
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