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. Please include a title page with your name, date, and period. Also include this paper for the rubric. This assignment will count as a test grade. This is due Monday, October 3rd.
1. All of the scientists that were involved in the Wildfire 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 a problem or encounter he faced. (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. Give page number in the book that the experiment where the experiment is located. (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 a bacteria and explain if Andromeda could be a virus or bacteria. (2 pts)
4. (a) What current governmental bodies are chartered to control epidemics—extraterrestrial or earthbound (biochemical or viral)?
(b) How are we coping with the Zika virus?
(c) Have the dangers of a planet-wide disease (of any kind) lessened or increased since The Andromeda Strain was published? Be specific.
Give references for these questions. (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? Generally discuss what you think would be a valid (not science fiction) sequel to the Andromeda Stain? (5pts)