Sexism

HOT ZONE [pic 1]

ANSWERS :

1. Is a virus living or nonliving?

• A virus is nonliving although it has a few characteristics of living organisms but they or not living. A virus needs a host to spread without one a virus can’t be produced. If you also look at it from this way that viruses need humans to live off and if you can recall that humans are living you can make the assumption that makes a virus nonliving if it depends on a living thing.

1. How are viruses classified?  What are the viruses written about in the hot zone? How are they classified?

• All viruses are made of either DNA or RNA and sometimes both. This is one of the ways to classify the virus. to find out whether it is RNA or DNA.

1. How are viruses named ?  give examples.

• Viruses can be named based on the first host cell that is found infected by the virus and the type of damage caused

1. What was the orgin of the Marburg virus ?
   -  Marburg originated in east and central Africa.
2. Why aren’t  all viruses as deadly as Marburg and ebola?

• Marburg and ebola are more infectious.

1. How is Marburg similar to rabies ?

• They are both transmitted through infected fluids and are also deadly

1. Why do viruses typically affect only one or a few species ?

• Most cell membranes are made from the same material, lipids, and they do not allow viruses to enter the cell. Different types of cells have different proteins in the lipid, those proteins serve as the entrance gates to the cells. Viruses adapt to be able to use these proteins to gain entry. But the mechanism that allows influenza to enter respiratory cells does not allow it to enter blood cells. Once they're inside, they also have to be able to survive the interior of the cell, and then to be able to use that cells mechanisms to reproduce itself.
  
  These factors are different enough across many species that a virus can be specific for just a few type of hosts.

1. What is it about the life cycle of viruses that allow them to evolve rapidly and “jump” to a different host species?

• Short life cycle -> So quick replication -> Higher chances of error when copying genetic material -> Higher mutation rate

1. What are the three standard ways to “stop” a virus?

• Burning and bleach and not being exposed to it.

1. The book describes several places where virus outbreaks have taken place around the world.  Where are these places and how might they be connected?

• Central and east Africa . They might’ve been connected by trade throughout the globe.

1. What conditions may have facilitated the jump of the virus responsible for AIDS to humans near Lake Victoria?

• The fact that at the time the virus wasn’t as known as it is today therefore they might not of checked blood for blood transfusions or other types of medical procedures at the time

1. What is the significance of the cave the Monet visited?  Is it the source of Ebola?  Explain.

• Kitum Cave is a detailed recall of the origination and the spread of Ebola disease, which originated in Africa but slowly spread

worldwide.

1. Should blood samples be shipped around the world for the study of infectious disease?  Why or why not?  Site an example from the book that might have had the potential to be disastrous in terms of exposure to a hot agent.

• No, because anything can happen the samples may break and spread through the world and cause innocent people to be sick.

1. Describe the roles played by the following people in the The Hot Zone, and explain, in your opinions, if they acted responsibly. 1. Dan Dalgard (head of the Monkey Quarantine Facility) -  was the consultant doctor at the Reston Primate Quarantine Unit.  His duty was to care for sick or injured monkeys. 

 2. C.J. Peters (Director of USARMIID) -was the chief of the disease assessment division at USAMRIID. He was also the leader of the Reston Biohazard operation.

3. Nancy Jaxx (Veterinarian with cut palm exposed to monkey blood in level 4) - was a well-known veterinarian in the US Army.  Her specialty was in the effects of Biosafety Level 4 hot agents.  She is partnered with Eugene Johnson to study Ebola and Marburg.  She found a leak in her spacesuit while dissecting an infected monkey, but she did not believe that she contracted the disease.