Understandings:
- Viruses lack a cell structure and so are more difficult to target with drugs than bacteria.
- Antiviral drugs may work by altering the cell’s genetic material so that the virus cannot use it to multiply. Alternatively, they may prevent the viruses from multiplying by blocking enzyme activity within the host cell.
Applications and skills:
- Explanation of the different ways in which antiviral medications work.
- Description of how viruses differ from bacteria.
- Explanation of how oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) work as a preventative agent against flu viruses.
- Comparison of the structures of oseltamivir and zanamivir.
- Discussion of the difficulties associated with solving the AIDS problem.
Guidance:
- Structures for oseltamivir and zanamivir can be found in the data booklet in section 37.
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International-mindedness:
- How has the AIDS epidemic changed since its discovery in the early 1980s? What is needed to stop the spread of the disease? What is the global impact of this disease?
Utilization:
- Syllabus and cross-curricular links:
- Options B.2 and B.7—proteins and enzymes
- Biology topic 11.1—vaccination
Aims:
- Aim 8: The control and treatment of HIV is exacerbated by the high price of anti-retroviral agents and sociocultural issues.
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