Virus Explorer Activity

Virus Explorer Click & Learn
Student Worksheet
INTRODUCTION
What do the flu, HIV, and coronaviruses have in common, and how are they different? You’ll learn
more about these and other viruses in the Virus Explorer Click & Learn. In the Click & Learn, you can
explore the structures and biology of 10 different viruses, as well as how these viruses impact humans
and other organisms.
PROCEDURE
Follow the instructions as you proceed through the Click & Learn, and answer the questions in
the spaces provided.
1. Open the Virus Explorer Click & Learn and click on the “About” tab at the bottom. Use the
information in this tab to answer the following questions.
a. List four ways in which viruses can differ from each other.
- Based on structure
- Genome type
- Host type
- Transmission mechanism
b. In the table below, describe what each abbreviation in this Click & Learn means.
Abbreviation Description
nanometer
nm
base pairs
bp
single-strand
ss
double strand
ds
2. Close the “About” tab and return to the main page. Find the “i” icon next to each viral
characteristic across the top. Click on each icon to learn more about that characteristic, then
answer the associated question below.
a. Envelope: The envelope is an outer layer that some, but not all, viruses have. How does an
envelope form?
- Viruses consist of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a layer of viral proteins,
called a capsid. Some viruses exit their host cell by budding from the cell’s surface or other
membranes. In the process, part of the host cell membrane envelops the virus, forming an
outer layer called the envelope.
b. Host(s): From the virus’s perspective, why is the host important?
- Because, this where the virus infects and replicates in. Also, viruses can replicate only
inside a host’s cell.
c. Genome Type: What are four characteristics of viral genomes that may vary among viruses?
- Viral genomes vary in their type of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA)
- Vary in their number of nucleic acid strands
- DNA and RNA viral genomes also vary in structure
- RNA genomes vary in the sense of their strands
d. Transmission: Define the terms “vector” and “zoonotic.”
- Zoonotic virus is a virus that is transmitted from an animal (for example, a rodent or bat)
to humans.
- Vector is a virus that need an intermediate organism to be transmitted from one type of
host to another.
e. Vaccine Availability: What is one advantage of being vaccinated against a particular virus?
- When an individual who has been vaccinated against a virus comes into contact with that
virus, the body should already be prepared to fight the infection.
3. Click the viral characteristics across the top of the main page to classify and learn more about
the viruses. Use what you learn to answer the following questions.
a. What is one difference between the rabies virus and the influenza A virus?
- Influenza virus has a segmented (–)ssRNA genome of ~13,500 bp, consisting of eight
segments, while the Rabies virus has a Linear (–)ssRNA genome of ~12,000 bp
b. Of the 10 viruses shown, which is the only one that infects plants?
- Tobacco Mosaic Virus
c. List three characteristics that adenoviruses, T7 virus, and papillomaviruses have in common.
- Does not have an envelope or they are naked

- They have Double stranded DNA
- They have an icosahedral capsid
d. As of 2020, a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 has been in the news. There have been
many efforts to develop a vaccine for this coronavirus. Why is this virus of particular
concern?
-It infects people across the globe. SARS-CoV-2 spread easily among humans who lacked
immunity to the virus. This coronavirus causes a disease called COVID-19. COVID-19 initially
overwhelmed hospitals in many countries and caused many deaths.
e. Which two viruses infect all the vertebrates included in the Click & Learn?
- Adenovirus and Papillomavirus
f. Of the 10 viruses shown, which is the only one that infects bacteria?
- T7 Virus
g. List four specific characteristics that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Ebola
virus have in common.
- Both Enveloped
- Both Linear
- Both Infects Human
- Transmission is human to human
h. List four specific characteristics that HIV and Ebola virus do not share.
- HIV can only infect Humans, while Ebola can infect mammals
- HIV is (+)ssRNA, while Ebola is (–)ssRNA
- HIV transmission is only human-to-human, while Ebola is both human-to-human and
Animal-to-human (zoonotic)
- Vaccine is available in Ebola, while HIV has no available vaccine
4. Find the + icon next to each virus’s name. Click on each icon to learn more about that virus, then
answer its associated question(s) below.
a. Rabies: People often think that you get the rabies virus from dogs. Why is this
understanding incomplete?
- This understanding is incomplete because not only dogs can carry and transmit the rabies
virus, but also foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats.
b. Influenza A: Influenza viruses have a segmented genome. Why is having a segmented

genome an advantage for these viruses?
- Segmented genome is advantageous because it can rearrange when the influenza virus
infects a single cell resulting in a new combination of segments that results in a new virus
subtype.
c. HIV: HIV infects cells in the immune system. Why is this a disadvantage for the infected
person?
- People infected by HIV will have a weaker immunity to fight-off diseases.
d. Ebola: What animal is associated with Ebola virus outbreaks?

- Bats is the animal associated with Ebola virus outbreaks.
e. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV): Name one characteristic of TMV that none of the other
viruses in the Click & Learn have.
- The TMV or Tobacco mosaic virus belongs to family Virgaviridae.

f. Adenovirus: What are three of the many conditions that adenoviruses can cause in humans?
- The three common conditions caused by Adenovirus are pink eye, common cold, and
bronchitis.
g. T7 virus: The replication cycle of T7 virus has several things that none of the other virus
replication cycles include. What is one of these things?
-The second step in replication, when the opening of the virus is created through the
membrane.
h. Papillomavirus: What is the common name for papillomas?
- Warts is the common name for papillomas.
i. Zika: Why is Zika virus of great concern to pregnant women?
- In 2015, scientists in South Korea discovered a condition called Microcephaly, A virus

infection in women and babies born with smaller head sizes than normal. Moreover,
pregnant women who contract the Zika virus may give birth to infants with microcephaly
and other neurological abnormalities.
j. Coronavirus: What are the names of two coronaviruses that caused outbreaks in humans
before 2020?
- The SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV.

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What are some differences between viruses?

How do viruses infect host cells and replicate?

Virus Explorer Click & Learn

- Viral genomes vary in their type of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA)

- Vary in their number of nucleic acid strands

- DNA and RNA viral genomes also vary in structure

- RNA genomes vary in the sense of their strands

d. Transmission: Define the terms “vector” and “zoonotic.”

- Tobacco Mosaic Virus

- Does not have an envelope or they are naked

- Adenovirus and Papillomavirus

b. Influenza A: Influenza viruses have a segmented genome. Why is having a segmented

- People infected by HIV will have a weaker immunity to fight-off diseases.

d. Ebola: What animal is associated with Ebola virus outbreaks?

- The TMV or Tobacco mosaic virus belongs to family Virgaviridae.

- Warts is the common name for papillomas.

i. Zika: Why is Zika virus of great concern to pregnant women?

- In 2015, scientists in South Korea discovered a condition called Microcephaly, A virus

- The SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV.

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