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Contributor: Felicia Sabur. Lesson ID: 11642
You're familiar with the concept of computer viruses. Did you know people got viruses before there were computers? Seriously, viruses are destructive. Research them and related diseases.
They are teeny tiny invaders that can't be seen with the naked eye. However, if you have ever had the flu, you know it can have a major impact on your health.
Of course you know about COVID-19!
HIV, Zika, and Ebola are viruses that have also been in the news in recent years.
Viruses are the smallest type of microbes. Scientists argue over whether they are complex molecules or simple organisms. A virus is not considered living because it does not have all life's characteristics. Viruses do not respire, grow, or reproduce on their own.
(For more information about the characteristics of a living organism, explore the Elephango lessons under Additional Resources in the right-hand sidebar.)
If you haven't already, print the Viruses and Bacteria Unit Workbook from Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar and fill out the Lesson Two Vocabulary section and the What Is a Virus? section as you go through this lesson.
If you did not complete the previous Related Lesson in our Viruses and Bacteria series, please go to the right-hand sidebar.
A virus is a microorganism that cannot reproduce or grow without the help of a living host cell. A host cell is a cell that a virus uses to inject its DNA into to make copies of the virus. Viruses can even infect bacteria. The type of virus that infects bacteria is called a bacteriophage.
The figure below shows how small viruses are.
The shape of a virus determines what types of cells it can infect. The proteins in its coat determine the shape of a virus. Viruses come in four main shapes.
The Structure of a Virus
The capsid is the protein shell that protects the genetic material of a virus, and the capsomere is a subunit of the capsid. All viruses contain a nucleic acid core that contains either DNA or RNA. The nucleic acid core only contains the genetic materials and coded instructions to make exact virus copies.
After viewing the video below, finish all questions in the What is a Virus? section of your unit workbook.
If you want a more in-depth look at the subject, watch the video below.
So far, you have learned that a virus is the most minor type of microbe. Viruses are non-living and can only reproduce by invading a host cell from a living organism. There are four basic shapes of viruses and different parts of a virus.
Continue to the Got It? section to create a model virus!
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