Health Watch An investigation into the dangers of fungi and bacteria

The Situation Room You have just left a top secret meeting with President Obama. Review your notes to understand the current situation. Scientists under the direction of the Obama Administration have developed a new cure for disease.

The Cure The cure eliminates all bacteria and fungi within an ecosystem. The scientists believe that the device will benefit mankind by eliminating deadly diseases by removing the fungi and bacteria the cause them.

Your Mission President Obama remains unconvinced. He is not sure that the cure will benefit mankind as the scientists say. He wants your team to conduct research and prepare a report that identifies the benefits and dangers humans face from fungi and bacteria.

The process On the following page you will find links to sites that discuss fungi and bacteria. Conduct research by reading the linked articles. Then in your notebook, answer the introductory questions.

Introductory Links FungiFungi Questions Bacteria Bacteria Questions I have answered the questions and am ready to move on. Take me to my first big question.

The First Big Question Compare and contrast what you now know about fungi and bacteria. How are they similar? How are they different?

Your Task You will now do some in depth research on one of the two types of organisms: fungi or bacteria. As you research you must discover what exactly your organism is. You need to know where your organism can be found.

Your Task continued How many different forms exist of your organism. How do human’s benefit from your organism? How are humans hurt by your organism’s existence? How would the world be changed if the cure were used to eliminate all forms of the organism within an ecosystem?

Expert research Now choose one of the two organisms and conduct further research Click on image you wish to research Fungi Bacteria

Introductory Questions on Fungi Two fungi are mold and yeast. What is the difference between them? Why do fungi make mushrooms? What are some of the purposes of fungi?

Introductory questions for bacteria Where are bacteria found? What is the structure of bacteria? What do bacteria look like? What are some things that bacteria do?

Expert Research--Fungi Fungi—One of the Five Kingdoms Fungi for kids—Read Fungi Facts 1 and 2 Fungi for kids Illnesses Caused by Fungi Fungus Hunt Basics on Fungi Rainforests make the perfect environment Return to questions I’m ready to share my findings

Expert Research of Bacteria Bacteria in Food E. coli Bacteria Cells National Geographic Kids Quiz —take the quiz, but read and learn from the explanations. National Geographic Kids Quiz Bacteria Bacteria Facts Return to questions I’m ready to share my findings

The Final Report You are to present your findings in a formal report. Your report should present information about what your organism is, where it can be found, and how it benefits or harms mankind. You must reach a conclusion as to the benefit of using the newly developed scientific cure. Make sure you state if the “cure” will be beneficial or harmful to mankind.

The Final Report--Expectation The report should be prepared on the computer. Your name should be in the upper left hand corner of the page. Below your name please type your number. Hit enter and then center your title. The report should be double spaced with your best use of punctuation, grammar and spelling.

Report Format Your report should contain five paragraphs: – An introduction – A compare contrast paragraph showing similarities and differences between fungi and bacteria. – Benefits to humans paragraph – How humans can be harmed paragraph – Conclusion Restate your strongest evidence. State that because of these facts, you think the cure should or should not be used to fight disease. Remember, this report is for the President of the United States. Do your best work.