bio homework lab
chicken199x
NaturalSelectionandViruses1.docxViruses and the New Normal Reflection
Remember back to the beginning of 2020. We were all in different places. At that time I was teaching both Biol 1408 and 1409. One thing I do is read up on current new scientific discoveries. One topic that we briefly discussed in both my courses was Covid-19. I could not have even imagined we would see a worldwide pandemic in my lifetime. I always told the students to keep an eye on this, it is something we might have to deal with. That was before we left for Spring Break. Now it has completely changed life and we are having to get used to a new normal.
Viruses are not technically living as they do cannot undergo metabolism and have to overtake a host cell to replicate. They do have DNA/RNA and are able to evolve rapidly and can be quite deadly. Here are links to some videos that discuss this topic. The first deals with the Ebola outbreak and how scientist map the viral genome to help understand the transmission. Now this was recorded before Covid-19.
https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/think-scientist-natural-selection-outbreak
These next few deal with Covid-19 and how they are using Genomics to track it and understanding the basics of the virus. The second one was made when we were first shutting down and it has some great information about how your body’s immune system is fighting the virus.
There are a lot more out there. You can share links you find interesting with me.
The pandemic has created what we are now calling the new normal. We already saw how reopening up led to an increase in cases in the summer of 2020. I am updating this on July 28th and it seems daily things are constantly changing. Now we are entering into the Fall semester with so many questions. What you do you think the new normal will be in the future? How will this cause changes to schools and colleges? Will a vaccine be mandatory if created? Has this pandemic changed some of your behaviors out in public? Do you think we are able to adapt to this virus that keeps evolving with what we have learned so far?
Write a brief 1-2 paragraph opinion on this topic addressing some of the questions above. It is interesting because we are in this social experiment right now. This is how you feel about the topic, and as long as you complete this on time you will get full credit. Have fun with this and it really makes you think how you have changed and will change in the future due to something you cannot physically see with the naked eye. Bacteria and viruses have been around for billions of years and they have figured it out and would not be shocked if they even outlive all other life.
