Initial Publication Date: September 29, 2008

The Microbes Within

A WebQuest exploring the effects of endosymbiosis on reproduction, evolution and human health


Introduction - Task - Process - Resources - Evaluation - Conclusion - Teachers

Resources


Wolbachia General Biology

Wolbachia endosymbionts
Questions
  1. Briefly describe the basic biology of Wolbachia.
  2. What is meant by an obligate, intracellular symbiont?
  3. What are the 4 basic reproductive strategies induced by Wolbachia?
Resources

Reproductive Strategies

Questions
  1. Define the 4 reproductive strategies of Wolbachia.
  2. Why would Wolbachia induce asexual reproduction in its host?
  3. How can we "cure" the host of asexual reproduction?
Resources

Human Disease

Questions
  1. List and describe two major human diseases associated with Wolbachia.
  2. How did researchers confirm that Wolbachia was actually responsible for these diseases?
  3. How are they being treated?
Resources

Speciation in Insects

Black Fly
Questions
  1. What is meant by reproduction isolation? How can it lead to speciation?
  2. How does Wolbachia influence speciation?
  3. How did researchers confirm that Wolbachia may be responsible for speciation in insects?
Resources

Vector Control

Questions
  1. What is meant by "vector-borne" disease?
  2. Name at least two vector-borne diseases. How might vector-borne diseases be controlled using Wolbachia?
  3. How might Wolbachia help to prevent the spread of malaria?
Resources

Viruses/Phage: The Parasites Within

Questions
  1. Describe the structure and infection process of bacteriophage.
  2. What is the difference between the lytic and lysogenic lifestyles of bacteriophage?
  3. What is the effect of bacteriophage WO-B within Wolbachia? The host insect? How did researchers confirm this relationship?
Resources

Symbiosis & Host-Microbe Interactions

Wolbachia in Insect Testes
Questions
  1. Define endosymbiosis. What is the endosymbiotic theory of evolution?
  2. Compare/contrast mitochondria & Wolbachia.
  3. What is horizontal gene transfer? How does it relate to Wolbachia?
Resources