Biology 165 Name: ________________________

Assignment 2

 

A case study investigating asbestosis—This case study allows you to investigate the important roles that lysosomes play in human cells, and the consequences of lysosomal dysfunction.

 

1.    Read Part 1 of the case study. In groups of 2-3 students, brainstorm and make a list of questions about the case.

 

Part 1—Chuck hasn’t been feeling well lately. He is often out of breath, his chest feels tight, and he isn’t eating much. But worst of all, he is constantly coughing up mucus.

 

Questions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.    After your list is complete, read part 2. Add to your list of questions and revise your questions from part 1 if needed.

 

Part 2—Chuck has worked for American/Atlantic Construction Company for 25 years. They are renovation specialists that restore old office buildings. Chuck is on the team that removes the old asbestos-containing insulation in the buildings, replacing it with asbestos-free insulation. Chuck likes his job, but he hates the protective suits he must wear while removing the old insulation. He much preferred the early years with the company, when they didn’t have to wear all that stuff! The company says the suits are protection against asbestos. Chuck doesn’t understand the big fuss about asbestos. He can’t see it, so how could it possibly hurt him?

 

Questions:

 

 

 

 

3.    Repeat for parts 3 and 4. By the end of the class period, your group should have formulated a list of questions that can be divided among the group members.

Part 3—Chuck goes to the doctor and describes his symptoms. The doctor listens to his chest and says he can hear a crackling sound when Chuck breathes. He also has Chuck breathe into an instrument, and comments that he has very low tidal volume. Last, the doctor orders chest x-rays, and after reviewing them tells Chuck that he has found bilateral calcified plaques in the lower quadrant of the lungs as well as several irregular opacities in the same regions.

 

Part 4—You are a health-care representative for the union that Chuck belongs to. He is overwhelmed by medical bills and is contacting you to see if he has a valid case to claim this condition on the company’s worker’s compensation program. Chuck has not yet gotten a diagnosis from his doctor, but hopes that you can help him figure out what is going on and what caused this problem. He has heard that you are really nice, and might be able to explain to him what is happening.

 

Questions:                                                                    Group Member assigned to question

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.    Group members must then go and find the answers to their questions. As information sources, you may use the Internet (reputable, referenced sources only), your textbook, other textbooks, scientific or medical journals, and so on. You may want to bring your information to the next class, as you will be allowed to meet in groups again to finish the assignment.

 

List of Web-based resources:

 

·      http://medicine.creighton.edu/forpatients/asbestosis/asbestosis.html

 

·      http://www.vh.org/Providers/Textbooks/DiffuseLung/Text/Asbestosis.html

 

·      www.milliondollarlungs.com

 

·      http://www.cheshire-med.com/programs/pulrehab/asbestosis.html

Biology 165 Name: ________________________

Assignment 2

10 pts.                                                                                    Name: ________________________

 

                                                                                                Name: ________________________

 

In your groups from last time, complete the following. Each group is to turn in one of these sheets, so make sure everyone’s name is at the top.

 

Compose an e-mail to Chuck that will help him understand the following:

 

What do you think is wrong with Chuck? Which specific organ is affected by this ailment? What is happening in those cells? What caused this ailment? What is the treatment and prognosis for this ailment? Do you think this is a valid claim for worker’s compensation? Do you think the company was at fault, or was Chuck?