Discussion question and peer review

DISCUSSION POST MUST BE 10+ SENTENCES AND THE PEER REVIEWS MUST BE 7+ SENTENCES PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS AND DO NOT COPY FROM OTHER SITES STAY ON TOPIC ,BE POSITIVE , AND DO NOT COMMENT ON GRAMMAR ERRORS. TALK DIRECTLY TO CLASSMATES IN PEER REVIEWS!!! YOU MUST COMPLETE BOTH PEER REVIEWS AND DISCUSSION QUESTION!! THANK YOU

1) DISCUSSION QUESTION

Part 1: Post a Response

In the section about viruses, our textbook discusses how new strains of flu arise via viral reassortment (page 245). This is also known as genetic reassortment. Read the following recent article from MIT News about tracking the spread of bird flu that discusses the impact of reassortment: http://news.mit.edu/2017/tracking-spread-bird-flu-…. Next, address the following:

• Discuss the factors that make Alaskan waters in the summertime an optimal place and time for new strains of influenza to arise by genetic reassortment.
• What do you think is the most interesting aspect of this situation?

2) PEER REVIEW #1 (DAVID)

Discuss the factors that make Alaskan waters in the summertime an optimal place and time for new strains of influenza to arise by genetic reassortment.

Alaskan waters in the summertime is an optimal place for new strains of influenza to arise by genetic reassortment because the variety of waterbirds the migrate to the region. Many of the wild birds migrate from Southeast Asia to Alaska. According to MIT’s Nichola Hill, “water birds spread virus easily, and a lot of these birds migrate intercontinentally. They make a great host for influenza viruses.” As the birds intermingle this gives the viruses a chance to go through genetic reassortment. This process typically takes place during the breeding season for the birds.

What do you think is the most interesting aspect of this situation?

What I find most interesting is the birds have no idea that their spreading virus or mutating them into different strains. I thought when different viruses are spread around my default reaction is to blame it on people not washing their hands, or kids going to daycare sick. I never thought of birds congregating in Alaskan waters spreading viruses around that will eventually make its way south to the US.

3) PEER REVIEW #2 (CHRISHUN)

Alaska hosts a massive flock of different waterbirds which fly north from both Asia and southern regions. Waterbirds spread virus quickly, and a lot of these birds migrate world wide. What I am getting is that birds use the fresh waters to migrate, and with so many different types of birds mingling together, the flu virus has a chance to mutate and undergo genetic reassortment.

What is most interesting to me is the travel path of the flu virus. If the strain can migrate from any parts of the world, what would it use to travel? Birds of course since they fly around the world visiting different parts. The strain can jump from host to host continually evolving as if it has a mind of its own. That is the scary part of genetic mutation and mother nature altogether. Birds are considered angelic to certain viewers but can carry potentially carry the annihilation of the human race.