Lesson 3.6 Viruses

“There is nothing so patient, in this world or any other, as a virus searching for a host.”
― Mira Grant, Countdown

This false-coloured transmission electron micrograph depicts the ultrastructural details of an influenza virus particle, or “virion”.

What does the quote by Mira Grant imply about the relationship between a virus and its host?

Lesson 3.6 Essential question:

How are viruses different in size, general structure, and complexity from prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

Lesson 3.6 Learning Targets

Below are the learning targets you are expected to master for this lesson. Next to each learning target is a number 1-4. As a pre-assessment, before the lesson begins, please circle the number that describes your current understanding of the learning target. Before the formative assessment, please draw a triangle around the number that describes your understanding of the learning target. Before the summative assessment, please draw a square around the number that describes your understanding of the learning target.

Learning Targets for Lesson 3.6

My self-assessment

1 - I have never seen this learning target before.

2 - I have seen this learning target, but I don't know what it means.

3 - I have seen this learning target, and I think I know what it means

4 - I can explain this learning target to another student.

I can describe the general structure of a virus.

I can describe how viruses, prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells differ in size.

I can describe how viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells differ in complexity.

I can describe how viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells differ in general structure.

1 2 3 4

Lesson 3.6 Vocabulary

Below are the terms you are expected to know for this unit. You can use your notes, a dictionary, or the internet to fill in the “Definition” column below:

Under each term is a number 1-4. Please circle the number that describes your current understanding of the term.

1 - I have never seen this term before.

2 - I have seen this term, but I don't know what it means.

3- I have seen this term, and I think I know what it means

4- I can explain this term and its meaning to another student.

You will also be required to do something additional for each term in the “Extra Practice” column.

Term

Definition

Extra practice

1. Virus

1 2 3 4

Circle the correct response:

Viruses are:

Living or non-living

To reproduce, viruses must use a

Dead host cell living host cell

Viruses contain:

DNA RNA Both Neither

2. capsid

1 2 3 4

Identify and label the capsid in the diagram of a bacteriophage below:

virus by J_Alves / Public Domain

3. viral envelope

1 2 3 4

In the structure of a virus, where is the viral envelope?

What is the purpose of the viral envelope?

4. bacteriophage

1 2 3 4

What type of cells do these viruses infect?

5. lytic cycle

1 2 3 4

Describe how this cycle is different from the lysogenic cycle.

6. lysogenic cycle

1 2 3 4

Describe how this cycle is different from the lytic cycle.

Pre-Assessment of Vocabulary Terms (Partner Brainstorming Bubble Maps)

Once you have made your individual initial circles for the above terms, please discuss each term with a partner. Brainstorm what you each think the terms mean. Make a bubble map for each term with your ideas. Possible questions to consider:

Have either of you ever heard of any of the terms before? If yes, in what context?
What do you visualize when you hear the term?
Do the terms remind either of you of anything? If yes, what?
Can you think of any examples of the terms? If yes, what?
Record your ideas below.

[1] Influenza_virus_particle_color by CDC / Public Domain