Web Activities
UNIT 3: HOMEOSTASIS
Chapter 10 – The Maintenance of Balance by the Immune System
Page Number
Question
p. 472
Explore an Issue – Take a Stand: the Future of Stem Cell
Research
Statement: Governments should redirect some funding from organ transplant
research to autologous (i.e., originating from the same individual)
stem cell research
- Investigate this rapidly changing field of research. Search
for information in newspapers, periodicals, CD-ROMs, and on the Internet.
Prepare a list of points and counterpoints. You might want
to consider the following questions:
i. Researchers are working on ways to use mature cells as
a source for stem cells as well. How will this change the prospects
for successful treatment?
ii. Companies have applied for patents on specific stem cells and
techniques used to culture stem cells and induce differentiation.
These companies will own a medical procedure and collect huge royalties.
Should this be allowed?
iii. Why do many people object to stem cell research?
iv. Why are governments regulating this field of research?
Stem
Cells
This excellent Web site hails from CBC Radio. A quick introduction
to the ins and outs of Stem Cells is accompanied by a range of further
links on the right hand side of the page that lead to more, in- depth
discussion and articles, and information on Canada’s laws.
Stem
Cell Research Report
The American Academy for the Advancement of Science formed an official
panel to write a Stem Cell Research Report that made recommendations
for proceeding with this technology. The report is available as a
PDF document.
Stem
Cell Research
This site, from the American Academy for the Advancement of Science,
explains the politics behind Stem Cell Research in the US, with links
to both groups that support it and groups that are against it.
Challenges
and Opportunities
The Challenges and Opportunities that stem cell research present are
outlined in this extensive Web site from the US National Institutes
of Health. All aspects of stem cells and their application, as well
as the current directions that are being explored are covered.
Guidelines
for Stem Cell Research
In this speech, the president of the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research outlines the Guidelines for Stem Cell Research that form
the official policy for this country.
Stem
Cell Debate
CNN’s Stem Cell Debate details the issues, science, politics,
and provides commentary on this controversial medical breakthrough.
Also features a Flash presentation of stem cells, and videos of news
reports.
Stem-cell
Powers Challenged
Stem-cell Powers Challenged, reads the headline of this online article
from the preeminent science magazine Nature. The story reports
on research that calls into question the potential for adult stem
cells to be used in medicine.
Should
stem-cell research be a crime?
Should stem-cell research be a crime? Asks this opinion piece from
the University of Alberta. The article argues for a liberal approach
by governments in making laws governing scientific research, and outlines
the current stance taken by Canada, the US, and Britain.
p. 475
Section 10.3 questions
7. Select an autoimmune disease and research the latest medical
advancements toward a cure. Search for information in newspapers, periodicals,
CD-ROMs, and on the Internet.
American
Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
Over 56 autoimmune diseases are listed and described in the ‘Patient
Information’ page of the American Autoimmune Related Diseases
Association Web site. The ‘Research Reports’ provides
a substantial selection of news articles that outline recent scientific
findings from around the world.
Understanding
Autoimmune Diseases
Understanding Autoimmune Diseases outlines the causes of these disorders,
in understandable language accompanied by good diagrams. The Web page
explains the functioning of the immune system, features some major
autoimmune diseases, and briefly describes some current research directions.
Autoimmune
Diseases Online
Autoimmune Diseases Online is a substantial list of links to general
information sites as well as sites related to specific diseases.
Autoimmune
Disease Links
This site provides an extensive list of Autoimmune Disease Links,
organized alphabetically by specific diseases.
p. 490
Section 10.5 questions
9. Chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells. An unfortunate
side effect is that normal, healthy cells are destroyed as well. Research
some common side effects of chemotherapy drugs, and explain how these
drugs affect homeostasis in the various body systems (blood cell development,
the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the excretory system).
Search for information in newspapers, periodicals, CD-ROMs, and on the
Internet.
How
Chemotherapy Works
How Chemotherapy Works, from the Canadian Cancer Society, addresses
a number of topics associated with chemotherapy including the goals
of chemotherapy, common side affects associated with chemotherapy,
and details on how chemotherapy is given.
Managing
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
The London Regional Cancer Centre’s Web site provides patients
with information on Managing Side Effects of Chemotherapy, explaining
why they occur and what to do about them.
Cancer
Drug Formulary
Cancer Drug Formulary, from Cancer Care Ontario, provides detailed
information on the chemotherapy drugs available in Ontario, their
mode of action and adverse effects.
Introduction
to Chemotherapy
Introduction to Chemotherapy explains how this cancer treatment works
in easy-to-understand language. Many common side effects, their causes,
and their management, are also discussed. The site is written by a
doctor at the University of Pennsylvania.
Understanding
Chemotherapy
Provided by a UK cancer information service, Understanding Chemotherapy
explains what this treatment entails, how it works, and gives good
descriptions of the main side effects and what to do about them. The
site also includes information on specific drugs.
p. 490
Section 10.5 questions
10. Conduct some research into the potential for development
of biological weapons. Search for information in newspapers, periodicals,
CD-ROMs, and on the Internet.
Chemical
and Biological Information Analysis Center
The Chemical and Biological Information Analysis Center, part of the
US Department of Defense, has been very busy since the anthrax terrorism
acts in 2001. Their Web site includes a PDF format newsletter with
articles on recent topics, a section on current headlines, a searchable
information database, and a wide range of further links.
Biodefense
and Bioterrorism
Chemical
Weapons
From MedlinePlus comes Biodefense and Bioterrorism and Chemical Weapons,
two extensive lists of links that includes: news stories, organizations,
general information, specific biological weapons, the latest in research,
law, and policy.
Bioterror
Bioterror, is the companion Web site to the PBS documentary of the
same name. Learn about the terrifying history of biowarfare, and the
prospects for a terrifying future. Discover the efforts being made
to protect citizens from further attacks, read about the status of
biowarfare research and development worldwide, and see interviews
with scientists who used to make biological weapons for a living.
Be prepared to be shocked!
Biological
Warfare
Biological Warfare is a graphic-intensive site created by students
for students. A wide range of topics are addressed including the history
of biowarfare, info on various agents in existence, current sources
of threat, defense methods, and a simulated ‘experiment’
to compare the effects of dropping various biological weapons on Washington
D.C.
Chemical
and Biological Warfare Project
The Chemical and Biological Warfare Project has been running at the
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute since the 1960s.
Its goal is to track the development of biowarfare, and prevent its
use. The site contains information on a variety of agents, the history
of biowarfare control, factsheets, essays and articles on policy issues
and disarmament strategies worldwide, and an extensive list of international
links.
p. 491
Practice – Careers
3. Survey newspapers or conduct an Internet search to identify career
opportunities in that area. What appeals to you about the career? What
do you find less attractive?
Jobs
etc
Jobs etc., from the Government of Canada, provides access to governmental
job postings, both federal and provincial, as well as links to other
job search sites.
Monster.ca
Monster.ca is one of the most popular job Web sites in Canada, with
a huge number of postings, searchable by keyword and category.
Careers
in Biotechnology
Job descriptions for a whole list of Careers in Biotechnology can
be found on this site, as well as interviews with scientists and others
who have actively worked in these areas. The site is maintained by
the US National Health Museum.
p. 493
Investigation 10.2.1: Virtual Immunology Laboratory
Locate and click on the Virtual Immunology Laboratory hyperlink. Select
“Find” and read more about the diagnostic test called ELISA.
(Note: To view the graphics from the simulation, the Shockwave plug-in
is required.)
Biointeractive
Biointeractive is a Web site by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
and contains a number of interactive labs, including an ELISA assay
that students must perform for Investigation 10.2.1.
