Survival of the Sickest Reading Guide 1
Name _____________________________________________
Survival of the Sickest Reading Guide
Task: The following questions should be answered and typed. They will be electronically submitted to turnitin.com and a paper copy will be given to me.
Introduction
1. What is the “big” question the book will attempt to answer?
Chapter I
2. The author points out many ways in which iron impacts life. Identify/describe at least five.
3. In the context of this chapter, explain the author’s reference to Bruce Lee and to the barber pole.
Chapter II
4. Distinguish between each of the three types of diabetes.
5. What did the ice cores of 1989 reveal about the Younger Dryas?
6. Describe the body’s “arsenal of natural defenses” against cold.
7. Describe the connection between Rana sylvatica and diabetes.
8. In Chapters I and II several inherited disorders were discussed. Create and complete the chart with the following information: Disease/Disorder, Symptoms, Evolutionary Advantage (see end of guide)
Chapter III
9. Why do we need Vitamin D? Cholesterol? Folic acid?
10. Briefly describe the connection between the two concepts:
a. tanning beds; birth defects
b. sunglasses; sunburn
c. hypertension; slave trade
d. Asian flush; drinking water
e. skull shape; climate
f. body hair; malaria
11. What’s so fishy about the Inuits skin color?
12. Explain the good and the bad of ApoE4.
Chapter IV
13. Explain the role of G6PO.
14. Briefly describe the connection between the two concepts:
a. European clover; Australian sheep breeding crisis of the 1940s
b. Capsaicin; birds and mammals
c. Malaria; air conditioning
d. Fauvism; fava beans
15. Explain the following statement found on page 87: “Life is such a compromise.”
Chapter V: “Of Microbes and Men”
16. Complete Parasite Chart (go to end of assignment)
17. Identify 3 ways in which microbes/parasites move from host to host.
18. For each pathway listed in question #2, explain the relationship of the
Survival of the Sickest Reading Guide
Task: The following questions should be answered and typed. They will be electronically submitted to turnitin.com and a paper copy will be given to me.
Introduction
1. What is the “big” question the book will attempt to answer?
Chapter I
2. The author points out many ways in which iron impacts life. Identify/describe at least five.
3. In the context of this chapter, explain the author’s reference to Bruce Lee and to the barber pole.
Chapter II
4. Distinguish between each of the three types of diabetes.
5. What did the ice cores of 1989 reveal about the Younger Dryas?
6. Describe the body’s “arsenal of natural defenses” against cold.
7. Describe the connection between Rana sylvatica and diabetes.
8. In Chapters I and II several inherited disorders were discussed. Create and complete the chart with the following information: Disease/Disorder, Symptoms, Evolutionary Advantage (see end of guide)
Chapter III
9. Why do we need Vitamin D? Cholesterol? Folic acid?
10. Briefly describe the connection between the two concepts:
a. tanning beds; birth defects
b. sunglasses; sunburn
c. hypertension; slave trade
d. Asian flush; drinking water
e. skull shape; climate
f. body hair; malaria
11. What’s so fishy about the Inuits skin color?
12. Explain the good and the bad of ApoE4.
Chapter IV
13. Explain the role of G6PO.
14. Briefly describe the connection between the two concepts:
a. European clover; Australian sheep breeding crisis of the 1940s
b. Capsaicin; birds and mammals
c. Malaria; air conditioning
d. Fauvism; fava beans
15. Explain the following statement found on page 87: “Life is such a compromise.”
Chapter V: “Of Microbes and Men”
16. Complete Parasite Chart (go to end of assignment)
17. Identify 3 ways in which microbes/parasites move from host to host.
18. For each pathway listed in question #2, explain the relationship of the