Question

Reflecting on the components of science explained in the How Science Works unit of the course, the "___________ " component is represented when scientists develop vaccinations that prevent deadly diseases.

Answer 1

The development of vaccinations is an example of using scientific knowledge to create prophylactic interventions, effectively stimulating the immune response and preventing the onset of infectious diseases.

Step-by-step explanation:

The development of vaccinations that prevent deadly diseases represents the component of applying scientific knowledge for prevention in the field of medicine, specifically within the immunology domain. Scientists use a variety of methods to create vaccines, such as employing weakened or killed forms of the virus, using molecular subunits of the virus, or even using recombinant DNA technology, to stimulate an immune response. This leads to the body developing immunity and preventing the disease.

The success of vaccines in generating immunity without causing the disease, and their critical role in reducing morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases like polio, measles, and rubella, highlights the impact of scientific advances in our ability to control viral outbreaks.

Answer 2

The 'vaccinations' component of science is represented by the development of vaccines to prevent deadly diseases. Vaccinations stimulate the immune system to develop immunity and have been greatly advanced through biotechnology and molecular biology, resulting in a significant decrease in disease-related illness and death.

Step-by-step explanation:

Reflecting on the components of science explained in the How Science Works unit of the course, the "vaccinations" component is represented when scientists develop vaccinations that prevent deadly diseases.

Vaccinations work by introducing a form of an antigen to the body which stimulates the immune system to produce a response, thereby building immunity to the disease without causing illness. The material in the vaccine can either be weakened forms of a living pathogen, dead pathogens (or inactivated viruses), purified material such as viral proteins, or genetically engineered pieces of a pathogen. This utilization of biotechnology and understanding of viral mechanisms underscores the connection between practical application and scientific knowledge.

The history of vaccinations dates back to the practice of inoculation against smallpox, and throughout the years has evolved greatly, largely thanks to advances in genetics and molecular biology. These innovations have enabled the production of subunit vaccines, which use specific components of a pathogen, and genetically engineered vaccines, created through recombinant DNA technology. The success of immunization is evident by the dramatic decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with various infectious diseases.