Science ... sometimes it really is about life and death! Examine sharks and whales that live for a really long time, as well as mosquitoes designed to die young in the final installment in a 143-part video series. Biology scholars explore the role that long-lived marine species may have in extending human life; they also take a look at the genetically-engineered mosquitoes scientists are releasing in disease-prone areas that shorten the lifespan of the mosquito population around them.

Concepts

mosquitoes, whales, sharks, genetics, genetic engineering, illness, death

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Learn more about the species in the video by following the links provided
• Check up on the progress made by the mutant mosquitoes by researching their introduction in the United States

Classroom Considerations

• Review some basic epidemiology vocabulary before viewing the resource

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Although the video covers two different topics, the narrator blends them together to form a snapshot of current scientific research and development
• The resource gives clear explanations for the technical aspects of both topics, such as how the DNA of the engineered mosquitoes combines with native mosquito DNA to cause premature death
  

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.2