Questions about viruses
Viruses invade the cells of the body – causing damage and disease in the process. Viruses are intracellular parasites which cannot reproduce without using the host cell. They lack all the components to reproduce themselves and so they much “borrow” the host cell machinery in order to reproduce. This is different than intracellular bacteria which have all the necessary machinery to reproduce, even though they must do so while inside the host cell.
For this conference I want you to address the following: (Remember to update your subject line as always)
- Based on what you have learned about bacteria, viruses and components of living cells, do you consider viruses alive? Fully explain and support your answer with a discussion
- Provide an example of a virus which causes disease. (Do not duplicate examples).
- Describe the disease caused including where the virus resides/colonizes in the body (ie: in what cell type)?
- How does its preferred “residence” in the body influence the course and spread of the disease?(ie: How does this virus affect the body specifically. Hint: Do not provide a list of symptoms here.)
*Provide links for information used and should be about 2-3 paragraphs. No copy and paste, no plagiarism.
