ZZ01 Viral Strain Case File

Attention:
This is top secret information, if you are reading this file you have been authorized
by the Canadian Government and have received top level clearance.

ZZ01 Viral Strain Case File

Due to the recent ZZ01 outbreak (a zombie virus) a classified team has been
created to help stop the spread of the virus. The virus is passed on through bodily
fluids, on this mission make sure that you do not get in contact with any of the
infected.
As of right now there is no cure. We are focused on creating a plan that minimizes
death, and protects the uninfected. For infected individuals we hope to better
understand how the virus attacks the body as this might help us create a vaccine.
You will have 3 days (3 classes) to complete this action plan. Make sure you are
prepared as you will present to an advisory council of experts (the whole class).

Your roles are as follows:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Researcher
Biologist
Mathematician
Doctor

Your action plan must include suggestions for the following, and any issues or
problems you may run into when trying to create this plan. You must back up your
decisions with evidence that you have gathered throughout this case study. Pay
close attention to the growth of the virus, and population:
1. A vaccine
2. Citizen relocation

ZZ01 Viral Strain Case File

Complete the following simulation which shows the spread of the zombie virus.
http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspView&ResourceID=448
Note that this simulation was based off of experiments done on patient 0 who was a 32 year old
Caucasian man. Researchers do not know if the virus might affect individuals differently based
on their race, sex, or age, however for the sake of simplicity we will assume that patient zeros
case will apply to the overall population.
In order to help develop your plan answer the following questions that we currently have no
answers to. Before watching the simulation read over the lytic cycle of the virus, and become
familiar with it.

1. Complete the following diagram so that you have this information in your case file.

ZZ01 Viral Strain Case File

1. As a team predict what will occur to patient 0 before watching the simulation. We need to
make sure that you are the right team for the job. Predict how the numbers of viruses,
infected cells, and uninfected cells will change as the infection progresses. On the blanks
below, write increase, decrease, or stay the same.
Viruses:

Infected cells:

Uninfected cells:

2. Play the simulation and make observations on the spread of the ZZ01 virus.

3. Reset the simulation and select the Bar Chart tab, turn on show numerical values. What
each of the bars as the simulation runs, how did these results compare to your predictions?

4. Select the TABLE tab, and use the data to complete the second column of the table below.
For example, if it took 80 minutes to reach 40 cells and 100 minutes to reach 30 cells, then
the time difference is 20 minutes.

Number of cells

Time (m)

Amount of time to decrease

population by 10 cells

50

0m

--

40
30
20
10

ZZ01 Viral Strain Case File

5. Analyze: What observations can you make about the data in the third column? If you
notice any trends, try to explain them. If you dont see any trends, discuss why that might
be.

6.

Now select the GRAPH tab. Run the Gizmo again, and observe what happens in the
SIMULATION pane, pay close attention to the blue line which shows the viral population.
i.

Why does the number of viruses sometimes increase and sometimes

decrease? How would this make it difficult for us to diagnose someone with the
zombie virus?

ii.

Now pay close attention to the blue line which shows the viral population.
What kind of growth does the virus exhibit, can you model this function or express it
algebraically? Why would this type of growth be dangerous for the patient, and why
would they need immediate treatment?

ZZ01 Viral Strain Case File

7. In addition to the above computer simulation we have received data from
various locations around the country. This data will show you the spread of the
ZZ01 virus, we hope that you can use this information to create an action plan
for us. Please graph the data in each of these tables, and describe the spread
of the virus as we have not been able to. We have the whole army available to
us and are able to relocate people if necessary.
Table 1: Spread of ZZ01 Viral strain in a rural town
Number of Days
0
1
2
3
4
5

Number of zombies
5
25
125
625
3125
15625

Table 2: Spread of the ZZ01 Viral strain in Ajax

Number of Days
0
1
2
3
4
5

Number of zombies
5
7
49
343
2401
16807

Table 3: Spread of the ZZ01 Viral strain in Toronto

Number of Days
0
1
2
3
4
5

Number of zombies
5
9
81
729
6561
59049

ZZ01 Viral Strain Case File

8. How do the following graphs compare with the graphs/trends that you noticed
in question 6? Remember that you will need to think about all of these trends,
and data when you create your action plan.

9. What factors would increase the zombie population? Do you think that citizens
should relocate?
Remember that you need evidence to back up your decision.

ZZ01 Viral Strain Case File

Action Plan
Use this blank page to write out your action plan remember the criteria discussed at
the beginning of the case file. Your action plan must include suggestions for the
following, and any issues or problems you may run into when trying to create this
plan. You must back up your decisions with evidence that you have gathered
throughout this case study. Pay close attention to the growth of the virus, and
population:
1. A vaccine
2. Citizen relocation