AP Biology Extra Credit Opportunity

AP Biology Extra Credit Opportunity Each question below pertains to an aspect of the interview conducted by Terry Gross with writer and oncologist Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee. The interview is from a year ago, and related to his book called “Gene”. It was re-broadcast recently. Prior to “Gene” he had written another book called “The Emperor of All Maladies” chronicling our understanding of cancer and how historically we have tried to treat this disease. The interview can be found on my webpage under the “Dissections” tab (you could read or listen to it). Your answers to these questions should be written in a few paragraphs, not to exceed one page for each response – this is about quality, not quantity. You can type or write your responses. Please used lined paper if you plan to write your response. The maximum points you can receive will be 8.

1. Terry Gross asks a question about chemotherapy and how she basically understands what the tradeoffs (kills cancer cells and healthy cells) are in using chemotherapy as a treatment. She then points the question toward how you genetically target a mutation that may cause cancer. Mukherjee answers her question by describing a specific mechanism that could be used to stop a cancer cell. He also references the cancer drug Gleevec.

a. Without any reference to Gleevec tie his response to our study of molecular biology as it relates to the structure and function of proteins and enzymes.

b. Use the other link on my webpage about Gleevec to explain how Gleevec does what it does. You may need additional resources, but some key information about its mode of action are included in the FDA document that should put you on the right track.

Other side

2. Terry Gross asks about the doctor’s research related to genetically modifying our immune system cells to be better at recognizing cancer cells and destroying them. Dr. Mukherjee explains that T cells are involved and that cell recognition, and evasive maneuvers by cancer cells are key to their studies.

a. Propose a mechanism or avenue of study that researchers could pursue that would either make T cell recognition better or prevent cancer cells from using “cloaks or sheaths”. Your response should present your knowledge of how cells communicate, make proteins, follow a cycle, interact with immune cells or any other aspect of cell structure or function that you think is important to your idea. (Suggestion: understanding how a cancer cell presents, or doesn’t present to the immune system would be important)