Viruses

Abstract

This classroom activity is intended as a first introduction to viruses for students in undergraduate General Microbiology. It is a learning cycle activity emphasizing the differences between viruses and cells, and how viruses get inside cells. It presents examples of various human viruses, veterinary viruses and phages to show the diversity of viral hosts, genomes and morphologies. Special attention is given to the interaction between viral attachment proteins and specific host cell receptors as a first step in invasion. Three of the main ways viruses invade cells (receptor-mediated endocytosis, membrane fusion and genome injection) are also compared. Students build on prior knowledge about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the importance of specific proteins for cell function. This activity should provide a good foundation for additional activities on topics like viral replication and pathogenesis.

Level: Undergraduate

Setting: Classroom

Activity Type: Learning Cycle

Discipline: Biology

Course: General Microbiology

Keywords: viruses, viral invasion, attachment proteins, host cell receptors