Virus explorer worksheet answers

Go through the HHMI Biointeractive on Virus Explorer (Links to an external site.) and complete the accompanying worksheet

Virus are considered to be obligate intracellular parasites, they consists of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and a protein coat. Some viruses (enveloped) have an additional lipid layer that which is derived from the host plasma membrane with modified viral specific proteins (spikes).

Launch the interactive and explore the viruses in this activity.

Click and Learn Virus Explorer Student Handout INTRODUCTION This handout complements the Click and Learn “Virus Explorer” developed in conjunction with the 2016 documentary, Spillover: Zika, Ebola & Beyond (http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/virus-explorer). PROCEDURE Follow the instructions as you proceed through the Click and Learn, and answer the questions in the spaces provided. 1. Let’s review. Click on the “About” tab at the bottom. Read the information and list four (4) ways in which viruses can differ from each other. 2. This interactive uses several abbreviations. Fill in what each abbreviation stands for in the table below. Abbreviation Description nm bp ss ds 3. Close the “About” window, and locate the i next to each viral characteristic tab across the top. Click on these icons and answer the questions below associated with each viral characteristic. a. Envelope: Not all viruses have an envelope. If a virus has this outer layer, explain how it forms. b. Structure: What determines the shape of the capsid, or core? Published September 2016 www.BioInteractive.org Page 1 of 6 Click and Learn Virus Explorer Student Handout c. Host(s): From the virus’ perspective, why is the host important? d. Genome Type: Viral genomes may vary by four characteristics of their genetic information. What are they? e. Transmission: Define the terms “vector” and “zoonotic.” f. Vaccine: What is one advantage of being vaccinated against a particular virus? 4. Virus Scavenger Hunt: Use the home page of the Virus Explorer and the various viral characteristic tabs across the top to answer the questions below. a. What is one difference between the rabies virus and the influenza virus? b. Of the nine viruses shown, which is the only one that infects plants? c. What are three characteristics that adenoviruses, T7 virus, and papillomaviruses have in common? d. Recently, Zika virus has been in the news. Treatment of it is of particular concern. Why? e. Which two viruses infect all the vertebrates included in the interactive? f. Of the nine viruses shown, which is the only one that infects bacteria? Published September 2016 www.BioInteractive.org Page 2 of 6 Click and Learn Virus Explorer Student Handout g. List four characteristics that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Ebola virus have in common. (Be specific.) h. List four characteristics that HIV and Ebola virus do not share. (Be specific.) 5. Locate the + next to each virus name. Click on these icons and answer the questions below associated with selected viruses. a. Rabies virus: People often associate rabies virus with dogs. Why is this incomplete? b. Influenza virus: Influenza virus has a segmented genome. Why is this an advantage for the virus? c. HIV: HIV infects immune cells. Why is this a disadvantage to the infected person? d. HIV: Where in the world is HIV most prevalent? e. Adenovirus: Adenoviruses can cause many mild clinical conditions in humans. What are three? f. Papillomavirus: What is the common name for papillomas? Published September 2016 www.BioInteractive.org Page 3 of 6 Click and Learn Virus Explorer Student Handout g. Papillomavirus: What kind of symptoms do some human papillomaviruses cause? h. Zika virus: Why is Zika virus of great concern to pregnant women? i. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV): Name one unique characteristic of the tobacco mosaic virus. j.