Writing Assignment #3: Midterm Practice Questions

Answer the following questions, three from the first (A) group and two from the second (B) group. Remember that this is one of your four writing assignments, so the grade you receive on this assignment counts only 5% of your total grade. Our purpose in giving you these questions is to let you see the kinds of science-oriented questions you will run into on the midterm exam. We will discuss these questions in class on Friday. Make a serious effort, but do not spend more than two or three hours on this (if you've been up to date in class answering these should take much less time than that).

You should be able to answer questions from Group A in one paragraph. Some of the questions from Group B may take two or three paragraphs.

You must answer three questions from the "A" group.

1A. Discuss how the plagues of the past changed the immune system in the human population.

2A. How has the "germ theory of disease" improved our ability to recognize and treat epidemic diseases?

3A. Describe/define the term "emerging infections" and give 2 possible mechanisms for their appearance.

4A. Describe how the polar/non-polar nature of a phospholipid makes it able to form cellular membranes.

You must answer two questions from the "B" group

5B. How do we attack viruses in the blood stream ? How do we attack viruses inside of cells? If there is a difference explain why.

6B. What two major processes are going on in thymus tissue and why are both important?

7B. Describe the structure of proteins at all levels. Feel free to use drawings or diagrams to support your discussion.