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Unit 6
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Immunity and Disease, and Biotechnology and DNA
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Introduction

In this unit, you will learn about the components of the immune system and how this system fights off disease and infection. Furthermore, you will learn about the field of biotechnology and the methods of expressing recombinant DNA, including how scientists use microorganisms that normally affect the immune system in a beneficial way to further the field of biotechnology. You will also consider the controversy surrounding the field of biotechnology.

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Immunity

We are exposed to health threats on a regular basis. Our bodies have complex mechanisms to ward off infections. The defense mechanisms include a barrier of skin and mucous membranes; a nonspecific response to the attack of microbes, should they penetrate the first barrier; and a specific immune response for significant infections.

This unit will focus on the nonspecific immune reactions that try to eliminate all types of microbes that enter the body, and on the adaptive immune response to significant infections. Both types of immune responses involve white blood cells, free proteins, and other chemicals. Humans can suffer from pathologic conditions that constitute a breakdown in the control of immune response. Asthma and allergies are malfunctions of the nonspecific immune reactions, while autoimmune disease and AIDS are malfunctions of the specific immune response.
Biotechnology and DNA

Recombinant DNA technology is an area of much possibility, speculation, and controversy. The techniques used to cut out a piece of DNA from one organism and splice it into the DNA of another organism are rather simple now that scientists have discovered the tools to do it.

There are several things to keep in mind about biotechnology and recombinant DNA. One is to appreciate that for the process to work at all, there must be a common DNA language across species. Another is that the tools used for this process are, by and large, ones that already exist in nature. The human role in this is to use the various tools (enzymes) to cut and paste the fragments of DNA. This unit invites you to think about the possibilities that the technology opens up, and to understand why the field generates controversy.
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Unit Resources
Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing each assessment. They provide helpful information about the topics in this unit. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.
Bookstore Resources

The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course. These resources are available from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.
Ireland, K. A. (2012). Visualizing human biology (4th ed.). Danvers, MA: Wiley.
Read Chapter 9, “Immunity and the Lymphatic System.” We are regularly exposed to disease-causing pathogens. Without our awareness, our immune system is constantly preventing, detecting, and fighting these health threats. This chapter explains what is happening inside you when you catch a cold or have a bacterial infection.
Read Chapter 10, “Infectious Disease and Epidemiology.” This chapter dives into the topic of epidemiology and considers some contemporary infectious diseases. It will also discuss antibiotic resistance and why this is a topic of concern.
Read pages 570–607 of Chapter 20, “Inheritance, Genetics, and Molecular Biology.” This chapter will discuss methods and applications of biotechnology.
Library Resources

The following resources are provided for you in the Capella University Library and are linked directly in this course. These e-books or articles contain content relevant to the topics and assessments that are the focus of this unit.
Wohlers, A. E. (2013). Labeling of genetically modified food. Politics and the Life Sciences, 32(1), 73–84.
Freedman, D. H. (2013, September). Are engineered foods evil? Scientific American, 309(3), 80–85.
Ahluwalia, K. B. (2009). Genetics. Delhi, IND: New Age International.
Read Chapter 1, “The Pre-Mendelian Era and Mendelism.”
Read Chapter 14, “The Structure and Replication of DNA.”
Read Chapter 21, “Human Genetics.”
Read Chapter 23, “Recombinant DNA Technology.”
Read Chapter 24, “Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology.”
Read other chapters as needed.
Brooks, A. (2007). Systems of our body. Delhi, IND: Global Media.
Read “Lymphatic System and Immunity.”
Rogers, K. M. A., Scott, W. N, Warner, S., & Willis, B. (2011). Paramedics! Test yourself in anatomy and physiology. Maidenhead, GBR: Open University Press.
Read Chapter 11, “The Immune and Lymphatic Systems.”
Singh, S. P., & Tomar, B. S. (2008). Cell biology. Meerut, IND: Global Media.
Read Chapter 17, “Nucleic Acids.”
Read Chapter 18, “Genetic Code.”
Read Chapter 24, “Genetic Engineering.”
Read other chapters as needed.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2002). Lippincott professional guides: Anatomy & physiology (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Author.
Read Chapter 9, “Immune System.”
Van De Graaff, K. M., & Rhees R. W. (2001). Human anatomy and physiology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Read Chapter 17, “Lymphatic System and Body Immunity.”
Internet Resources

Access the following resources by clicking the links provided. Please note that URLs change frequently. Permissions for the following links have been either granted or deemed appropriate for educational use at the time of course publication.
Biology-Online.org. (n.d.). Mendel’s law and Mendelian genetics. Retrieved from https://www.biology-online.org/2/5_mendelian_genetics.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005). Infectious disease information: Emerging infectious diseases. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/eid/disease_sites.htm
Howtomedia, Inc. (2013). Immune and lymphatic systems anatomy. Retrieved from InnerBody.com Web site: https://www.innerbody.com/image/lympov.html#full-description
Labtutorials.org. (n.d.). Labtutorials in biology [Blog]. Retrieved from https://labtutorials.org/
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). (2007). Brief review of key terms. Retrieved from Molecular Biology Review Web site: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Class/MLACourse/Modules/MolBioReview/brief_review.html
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014, January). Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Retrieved from https://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/emerging/Pages/Default.aspx
UNAIDS. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.unaids.org/en/
World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Emerging diseases. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/topics/emerging_diseases/en/
Capella Multimedia

Click the links provided below to view the following multimedia pieces:
HIV. (Transcript)
AIDS is a disease that is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which alters the immune system and makes people much more susceptible to diseases and infections. This presentation will help you learn more about this immunodeficiency.
Genes, Proteins, and Biotechnology.

Click the links below to review the following multimedia pieces:
Cell Structure and Function.
This presentation examines different types of cells and how the body works at a cellular level.
Body System.
This presentation looks at various systems and functions that will be addressed in this course. For this unit, review the sections on immunity and DNA biology.
Genes and Inheritance. (Transcript)
FMG Videos

The following videos have been purchased for use in this Capella course through Films Media Group. Any distribution of video content or associated links is prohibited. In this unit, view the following FMG videos:
Designer Genes: The Science and Ethics of Genetic Engineering.
Biotechnology on the Farm and in the Factory: Agricultural and Industrial Applications.
Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the BIO-FP1000 – Human Biology Library Guide to help direct your research.
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Questions to Consider

As you complete the assessment work in this unit, you may find it helpful to consider the questions below. You are encouraged to discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community, in order to deepen your understanding of the topics.
Re-emerging Disease

For the following questions, you are encouraged to refer to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases article, “Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases,” the CDC’s “Infectious Disease Information: Emerging Infectious Diseases” article, and the World Health Organization’s “Emerging Diseases” article, listed in your Unit Resources.
What is an example of an emerging or reemerging disease?
What are the symptoms of this disease?
What is the cause of the disease?
How is it spread?
What treatments are available for the disease you selected?
Genetically Modified Organisms

For the following questions, you are encouraged to refer to the Chapter 24 from the Singh and Tomar e-book, Chapters 23 and 24 from the Ahluwalia e-book, and Wohlers’ article, “Labeling of Genetically Modified Food,” listed in your Unit Resources.
What is an example of a genetically modified organism?
How is the technology being used? What is the gene of interest, and the organism into which it is inserted? What is the intended result of the modification?
How are microorganisms that normally affect the immune system, such as bacteria and viruses, used beneficially in biotechnology?
What are the possible benefits and negative effects of the technology?
Do you think that individuals should object to or support this bioengineered plant, animal, or bacterium?
Do you think governments should outlaw bioengineered organisms? Under what circumstances?
Should the genetically modified organism involved be labeled so, if it is a consumable item?
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[u06a1] Bioengineering Assessment Description

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 3: Describe basic concepts of genetics.
Describe the purpose of a gene that encodes for a specific protein.
Competency 4: Explain the tools and applications of biotechnology.
Evaluate the pros and cons of a genetically modified organism.
Explain how microorganisms that normally affect the immune system can be used beneficially as tools in biotechnology.
Competency 5: Evaluate the objectivity and legitimacy of biology information found in articles and online.
Explain the main points presented in an article.
Evaluate the scientific credibility of an article.
Competency 7: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats.
Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Assignment Description

Search the Capella library or the Internet for an article from a reputable source about a specific genetically modified organism, such as one of the following (you are welcome to choose topics outside of this list):
Corn.
Potato.
Soy.
Dairy.
Cotton.
Canola oil.
Papaya.
Sugar.
Animal feed.
Salmon.
Golden rice.
Squash.
Sugar beets.
Potato.
Insulin.
Vaccines.
Growth hormones.
Follicle stimulating hormone.
Erythropoietin.

Read the article and write a summary of its contents. Address all of the following in your summary:
What article did you read? Why did you choose this article?
What are the main points presented in the article? What message is the author trying to communicate?
What is gene of interest (being modified) and what is the purpose of this gene? Which organism is the gene inserted into, and what is the intended result of expressing this gene?
How are microorganisms that normally affect the immune system, such as bacteria or viruses, used beneficially as tools in biotechnology?
What are the pros and cons of this technology?
What do other sources of information say about the same concepts presented in the article? Are there discrepancies between the information in the article and that from other sources?
Where in your life (or in the life of a friend or family member) might the application of this form of biotechnology apply?

Your article should be from a reputable source and should meet all of the checklist items in the Source Evaluation Form. Complete an evaluation of your article, using the appropriate Source Evaluation Form (linked in the Assessment Resources). Download the form and answer the questions.
Submission Requirements
Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: References and citations should be formatted according to APA (6th edition) style and formatting.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.
Format: Either submit both the Article Review Paper and the completed Source Evaluation Form, or write a paragraph in your paper addressing the questions from the form.

Refer to the Bioengineering Assessment Scoring Guide to ensure that you meet the grading criteria for this assessment.

You are required to submit your assessment to the Turnitin source matching tool. Refer to the FlexPath instructions on the Turnitin iGuide page, linked in the Assessment Resources.

Submit your assessment for faculty evaluation by clicking the linked assessment title in the assessment link below. Be sure to include the corresponding Turnitin report with your assessment.
Assessment Resources

Scoring Guide icon Bioengineering Assessment Scoring Guide.

Website icon Using the Scoring Guide to Enhance Your Learning.

Website icon iGuide: Turnitin.

Microsoft Word icon Source Evaluation Form: Journals and Books.

Microsoft Word icon Source Evaluation Form: Web Sites.

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