|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Entire Activity Download (45 pages - 2 MB) Individual Downloads
Keywords immune response, immune cell, antigen, antibody, infection Key Concepts role of immune cells in fighting infection, cell diversity, specific and nonspecific defenses, cell and antibody mediated immune response, antigen/antibody reaction Process Skills Utilized Analyzing data, constructing models, sequencing events Intended Grade Level - 6-8 Objectives By simulating the immune response, students will be able to:
Activity Description Student teams will race to fight, and ultimately resolve, infections in a human body model by playing out the roles of various immune cells and antibodies, then constructing antigen/antibody complexes. Activity Materials
Activity Management Suggestions Trace the outline of Gamma Master onto a sheet or large piece of bulletin board paper or paint it onto a bed sheet, vinyl table cloth,or shower curtain. Students keep their roles for the first round of fighting all pathogens – once they become specific, they can only fight off one type of invader. If you repeat the simulation for all pathogens a second time, have students change to other tasks as needed according to the dynamics of the game and to increase their experience with the various parts of the immune system. The dynamics of this simulation allow the teacher to “freeze and discuss” important points as needed – take advantage of this, especially during the first parts of the game. You can use the processing out questions from the Student Data Page as points to discuss during the simulation. Teacher will be the “Reader” to read pathogen cards and direct the simulation. Modifications Provide extra time and provide additional assistance for students needing help. All copies needed for simulation are included at the end of this teacher information section. Extensions Students can brainstorm and investigate various factors that affect immune system responses such as space travel or the field of psychoneuroimmunology (the effect of psychological events upon the immune system). For effects of space travel on the immune system, a good place to start is by searching NASA’s website - http://exploration.nasa.gov. A good place to begin researching psychoneuroimmunology is with the work of Christopher Coe, a University of Wisconsin/Madison psychologist. Students can investigate how vaccines interact with and activate the body’s immune system. Researching the historical and contemporary processes of vaccine development and the vaccine’s importance to public health is another direction students could take. Students can research and map out the organs and tissues that make up the body’s immune system. References Used Roitt, I., Brostoff, J., Male, D. (1993). Immunology: 3rd edition. Mosby-Year Book Europe Limited. Sompayrac, L. (2003). How the immune system works, 2nd edition. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers. Tortora, G.; Funke, B.; Case, C. (2004). Microbiology: an introduction, 8th edition. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education. National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases/National Institutes of Health Website
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
