Introduction
Ever wonder how you get sick from tiny little organisms that you can't even see? In this activity, we are going to identify population factors that determine what makes this bacteria so lethal and so hard to kill. Stay tuned for more on the contagion hysteria!!!
Task
You are the Head of Diagnostic Medicine at Vanderbilt University Hospital and a patient has come into your department with an unknown bacterial illness. Using your knowledge of natural selection and population genetics you will devise a plan of action for ensuring the bacterias' death.
First, you will perform research to understand the factors that contribute to the survival of the deadly bacteria, and more in particular, its resistance to nearly all antibiotics.
Second, you are going to create a plan of action (4-page research paper) to help the patient recover from their bacterial invasion using what you have learned to decrease the genetic variability of the bacterial population.
Lastly, you will present your findings to the class through a 10-minute presentation. You can use posterboard or work with PowerPoint, your choice.
Process
Students must first understand the factors that contribute to the bacterias' genetic variability. This genetic variability is the reason the bacteria is surviving antibiotic treatment. Research the links below to see what are the dominant factors influencing the bacteria's genetic variability.
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/the-genetic-variation-in-a-pop…
http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/futuyma.html
http://scienceblogs.com/authority/2008/03/13/natural-selection-antibiot…
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_17
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369527499000053
http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/genetics/vgec/schoolscolleges/topics/p…
http://www.slideshare.net/mylittlestobsession/what-influences-natural-s…
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/natural-selection-or-survival/id740…
After students have cemented their knowledge on the factors influencing the bacteria's population structure, they must now write a research paper (4 pages, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt font) presenting their plan of action for saving their patient.
Their paper must include:
-background information on factors that influence population structure
-state dominant factors of bacterial resistance
-show comprehension of the how each factor may influence the bateria's population in the patient
-suggest a plan of action for saving the patient, or at least slowing down the infection
-use what you know about factors that influence the bacteria's population positively to try and slow down the infection by reversing the process.
Students will present their findings to the class in a ten minute presentation.
Evaluation
Conclusion
Great job on coming up with an action plan! Hopefully, by now your patient is responding to your treatments and is feeling much better. Through your research you should have come to the conclusion that certain traits of some bacteria allow them to survive better than other bacteria. With this information, you can conclude that bacteria also undergoes the process of natural selection, or survival of the fittest. There are numerous factors that influence a bacteria's survival, such as mutation, gene flow, and migration. You should now have a better understanding of how these factors contribute to the survival of a species after spending time trying to slow them down.
Credits
-cite your resources