THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN by Michael Crichton

Gifted Biology Reading 1st Nine Weeks

The quiz questions will count for half of the grade. Answer the following questions in complete sentences in paragraphs (12 font) for the remainder of the grade. This assignment will count as a test grade.

1. All of the scientists that were involved in the Wildlfire project were trained and educated for the possibility of encountering pathogenic organisms that could pose a threat to our planet. (a) Choose one and give a summary of his education, training, and awards if any. (5 pts) (b) Write a one page diary entry that would express his personality and expertise in dealing with the problem. (10 pts)

2. Describe and explain one experiment they set up at Wildfire to try to gather information. Be sure to include a detailed description of the experiment, including an hypothesis, a possible procedure and results of the particular experiment. (10 pts)

3. (a) List 10 conclusions about the organism the scientists made after their work was completed. These conclusions should include its transmission, type of disease it caused, size, color, appearance, similarities to living cells, living requirements, ability to reproduce, molecular makeup/ elements it contained, and mutation rate. (10 pts) (b) Would the Andromeda Strain be considered “living” by the present biological definition of life? (2 pts) (c) Look up the composition of a virus and explain if Andromeda could be a virus. (2 pts)

4. (a) What current governmental bodies are chartered to control epidemics— extraterrestrial or earthbound (biochemical or viral)? (b) How equipped are we as a society to cope with a major epidemic? (c) Have the dangers of a planetwide disease (of any kind) lessened or increased since The Andromeda Strain was published? Be specific and give references. (6 pts total)

5. What about the ending of this book? Science fiction thrillers usually end with the defeat of either humanity or the extraterrestrial threat. Is the ending to The Andromeda Strain disappointing? Is it, as one reviewer puts it, "a series of phony climaxes" and "a huge biological cop-out"? Or does Crichton resolve his plot satisfactorily—with a conclusion that flows logically from events in the novel? (5pts)