Pre-Lab: Detecting Lyme Disease
Problem How can a blood test be used to detect Lyme disease?
Materials well plate, permanent marker, white paper, 400-mL beaker, 100-mL beaker, distilled water, micropipettes, test solutions
Lab Manual Chapter 35 Lab
Skills Control Variables, Interpret Data, Draw Conclusions
Connect to the To maintain homeostasis, your immune system must defend against invasions by harmful pathogens. Some invaders enter the body through bites from insects. For example, a tiny deer tick can infect you with the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. As a precaution, you should avoid areas where deer ticks are active. If you visit a location where ticks are active, wear clothing that covers the skin and check for ticks.
Symptoms for Lyme disease can vary widely, but many people develop a bull's-eye rash at the location of the bite. People who suspect that they have been exposed to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease should consult a medical professional. Blood tests are used to diagnose Lyme disease. In this lab, you will model one of these tests.
Review What is an antigen?
Review How does the immune system respond to antigens?
Explain Why does the presence of antibodies in blood suggest that a person was exposed to an antigen?
Preview the procedure in the lab manual.
Sequence Use a flowchart to show the order in which the solutions will be added to the well plate.
Infer What is the advantage of having a control for a positive test and a control for a negative test?
Control Variables Why must you rinse the micropipette with distilled water before adding a different solution to the well plate?
Visit Chapter 35 online to test yourself on chapter content and to find activities to help you learn.
Untamed Science Video Be careful what you touch as you follow the Untamed Science crew on a journey through human allergies.
Data Analysis Analyze the pros and cons of a clean germ-free lifestyle.
Art Review Review characteristics and examples of the different types of pathogens and parasites with this drag-and-drop activity.
Art in Motion View an animation of HIV infecting a cell.