Pathogens Unit Objectives: By the end of this unit, students will be able to…- Explain the most likely method by which a pathogen gains entrance into its host.- Explain how a pathogen can become established by focusing on a specific kind of tissue.- Summarize the main causes of bodily damage from an infection by a pathogen.- Identify and categorize each of the following by the unique characteristics and identifying traits:  a. Bacteria b. Viruses c. Fungi d. Protozoa e. Helminth- Define a prion and explain the characteristics that make this class of pathogens unique.- Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.- Summarize how to classify bacteria, including by shape, aerobic/anaerobic, and by gram stain.- Compare and contrast the differences between gram negative and gram positive bacteria, particularly inregards to cell membranes and cell walls, susceptibility to antibiotics, and endotoxins vs. exotoxins.- Compare and contrast the properties of endotoxins vs. those of exotoxins.- Summarize the properties of peptidoglycan and relate how these properties affect the susceptibility ofsome bacteria to antibiotics.- Summarize the properties and characteristics of the membrane outside of the cell wall of some bacteriain regards to susceptibility to antibiotics, infection of a host, and resistance to host defenses.- Summarize how a bacterial infection can lead to the death of a host via sepsis and septic shock.- Explain why a virus is not considered to be a living species.- Summarize how viral reproduction occurs.- Compare and contrast a retrovirus to a standard virus.- Identify the kingdom of life in which fungi are classified.- Summarize the key traits of protozoa.- Explain how the symptoms diseases caused by helminths differ from many other pathogens.- Outline the method by which a prion causes a disease and identify practices that increase the likelihoodof a prion infection.- Describe the existing treatments and/or cures for a prion disease.

Meet the Antibiotic Hunters—a team of professional and student scientists at the Tiny Earth Network who search for new antibiotics in the soil.

Resources available for learning about this lab include:
• Interactive cards designed to introduce students to scientists in a more personal way
• A video with a personal story that explains why the lab's research matters in real life
• Questions to consider that will spark connection, reflection, and conversation
• An interactive video experience where you can ask questions of scientists in the lab and learn about their research
• An inquiry-based activity that focuses on doing science, using some of the same science practices that the lab uses
• An educator guide with information about standards alignment, curriculum connections, and tips for using the media resources

These resources are part of Meet the Lab, a collection of educational resources for middle school science classrooms.

This article by the National Library of Medicine teaches readers how germs make people ill. It includes several sections - what microbes are, the types of microbes (including viruses, bacteria, fungi, helminths, protozoa, and prions), how we encounter microbes, the mechanisms by which germs may enter a human host, how pathogens cause illness, and some examples of germs that cause illness. Students can make flashcards of each microbe and its mechanism of causing illness as they read. This article is great for comprehension and retention as it includes pictures, microscopic images, and diagrams. By reading this article, students should have a clear understanding of how each type of microbes contributes to illness.