The steps of the infection process are explored by examining the relationship between disease and the immune system. Pop-up glossaries and drag and drop diagrams are used to practice the steps of infection. Students choose a disease to research, then write a simulated blog post or pop science magazine article and create a presentation about the development of that disease. Students read a passage: The Eternal Arms Race: The Constant Battle Between Pathogens and the Immune System.

Time: Two to three 45 minute sessions

Lesson questions

• How do antigens and the immune system affect each other’s evolution?
• What are key steps in the process of the development of infection and disease?

Teacher files

Here you'll find your lesson plan and a quick overview of the lesson content, activities and recommended prerequisites.

• Lesson Plan
• Prep Steps (PPT)
• Prep Steps (PDF)

Lesson resources

• The Eternal Arms Race: The Constant Battle between Pathogens and the Immune System (reading passage)
• How Does Hepatitis B Combat the Immune System?  (video animation)
• A Virus Attacks a Cell  (video animation)

Student files

This student worksheet can be distributed to your students digitally or on paper.