1. Individuals who smoke have much higher rates of lung infection. Explain which first-line defenses mechanisms may be impaired by smoking, allowing pathogens to more readily enter the lower respiratory tract.
2. The diagnosis of tuberculosis involves the observation of lung structures called tubercles on an X ray. What immunologic process leads to the formation of tubercles, and what type of immune cells may comprise these lesions?
3. Explain how super-antigens, such as toxic shock syndrome toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus, often lead to the development of life-threatening symptoms in an infected individual.
4. Provide an explanation in support of or refuting the following statement: Humans would never develop natural immunity to a novel biological agent created in a laboratory
5. You have probably heard that when a person loses their vision, their other senses compensate, for example, the sense of hearing increases. Is there any scientific evidence to back this up, or is this just a myth? What is your opinion on how this belief came to be?
6. Today, many children who have sensorineural deafness can regain some hearing through cochlear implants. However, many in the deaf community do not see their deafness as a disability and oppose cochlear implants for children. If you had to live without either hearing or sight, which would you choose? Why? Support your answer with specific examples.
7. There are many times that treatments and vaccines are in trials and not ready for mass production or use. The natural process is to go through a great deal of testing to ensure safety. However, in a situation where the treatment is needed right away due to an outbreak or pandemic, should the trials be abandoned if success has been seen before the trial period has ended? Explain the ethics behind and the pros and cons of this type of situation.