Embedded Files
Influenza A H1N1
Covid 19
HIV Virus (virus that causes AIDS)
Bacteriophage viruses attaching to a bacterium
What are Viruses?
Viruses are tiny infectious agents that are not considered living organisms because they lack the characteristics of life, such as cells. Instead, they consist of a simple structure: a protein coat (called a capsid) surrounding genetic material, which can be either DNA or RNA. This genetic material contains the instructions for making new viruses.
How Viruses Infect Other Organisms:
Viruses are like microscopic pirates. They cannot carry out essential life processes on their own, so they invade living cells of other organisms to reproduce. Here's how they infect:
Attachment: Viruses have specific proteins on their surface that enable them to attach to certain host cells. It's like a key fitting into a lock.
Entry: Once attached, the virus injects its genetic material (DNA or RNA) into the host cell, essentially taking over the cell's machinery.
Replication: Inside the host cell, the virus's genetic material instructs the cell to make copies of the virus's components, including the protein coat and genetic material.
Assembly: New virus particles are assembled within the host cell.
Release: Eventually, the host cell bursts, releasing a multitude of new virus particles, which can go on to infect other cells and continue the cycle.
Examples of Viruses:
Influenza Virus (Flu): The influenza virus is a familiar example. It's responsible for the seasonal flu outbreaks. When students get the flu shot, they're actually receiving a weakened or inactivated form of the virus to help their immune system recognize and fight it.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): This virus affects the immune system and can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). It's a more complex example, as it attacks immune cells, making it harder for the body to defend itself against infections.
Bacteriophages (Phages): Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. These may be less familiar to students but are essential in controlling bacterial populations in nature. They're like natural antibiotics that specifically target bacteria.
Why Are Viruses Important?
Understanding viruses is crucial because they can cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Additionally, they play a vital role in ecosystems by regulating populations of other organisms, like bacteria.
By studying viruses, scientists have made significant advancements in medicine and biotechnology, including the development of vaccines, the understanding of genetics, and even the creation of gene-editing technologies like CRISPR.
Encourage your students to ask questions and engage in discussions about viruses. They are fascinating and complex entities that have a significant impact on our world and our health.
NYS Next Generation Science Standards in Living Environment & NGSS
NYS Next Generation Science Standards in Living Environment & NGSS
New York State Middle School Science Standards (NYSSLS-MS):
Standard: MST1 - Scientific Inquiry: The text encourages students to ask questions about viruses, promoting scientific inquiry.
Standard: MST2 - Information Systems: Discussing the structure and genetic material of viruses relates to understanding biological information systems.
Standard: MST4 - The Physical Setting: Viruses and their impact on living organisms are relevant to this standard.
New York State High School Biology Standards:
Standard: MST1 - Analysis, Inquiry, and Design: The text promotes analysis and inquiry into the nature of viruses.
Standard: MST2 - Information Systems: Understanding the genetic material of viruses aligns with this standard.
Standard: MST3 - Interconnectedness: The text discusses how viruses interact with other organisms, aligning with the concept of interconnectedness.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
NGSS Standard: HS-LS1-1 - From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes: This standard relates to the structure and function of viruses.
NGSS Standard: HS-LS1-2 - From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes: Understanding viral replication aligns with this standard.
NGSS Standard: HS-LS2-6 - Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: Discussing the role of viruses in ecosystems relates to this standard.
New York State Next Generation Living Environment Standards:
Standard: LE 1.1 - Characteristics of Life: The text emphasizes that viruses lack characteristics of life, aligning with this standard.
Standard: LE 1.2 - Differentiation and Organization: The discussion of viruses' structure and genetic material relates to this standard.
Standard: LE 2.4 - Behavior of Organisms: Understanding how viruses infect host cells relates to this standard.
Standard: LE 6.3 - Ecosystem Stability: Discussing the role of viruses in regulating populations of other organisms aligns with this standard.
Standard: LE 7.2 - Evolution: The text indirectly touches on how viruses can drive evolutionary changes in organisms.
By exploring the topic of viruses as presented in the text, students can meet various science standards related to biology, genetics, ecosystems, and scientific inquiry, both in New York State standards and the NGSS. This text can serve as a valuable starting point for further discussions and investigations in the classroom.
Google Sites
Report abuse