Viruses VS Cells Day 1

Students use a microscope to look for structures in four different cells. The students place an X for each that was viewed for each on the table shown.

Which cell that was viewed is most likely a prokaryote?

• Cell W

• Cell Y

• Cell X

• Cell Z

A student groups different types of cells as shown. Which table headings should the student use for the two groups ?

• 1.Animal Cells

  2. Plant Cells

• 1.Prokaryotic Cells

  2. Eukaryotic Cells

• 1.Mobile cells

  2. Motile Cells

• 1.Fungal Cells

  2. Bacterial Cells

Which of these describes a difference between viruses and cells?

• cells contain protein, and viruses contain only carbohydrates

• viruses have flagella, and cells have only cilia

• cells reproduce independently, and viruses require a host to reproduce

• viruses have membranes made of proteins, and cells have membranes made of nucleic acid

Watch the clip to answer the next few questions.

Are viruses considered to be living? Why or why not?

• No because they don't have a nucleus.

• Yes, because they have nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

• No, because they are not made of cells and they lack the characteristics of life.

• Yes, because they are prokaryotic cells.

Compare and contrast a virus to a cell. What would be some differences? What are some similarities?

Answer explanation

Cells are the basic units of life. Cells can exist by themselves, like bacteria, or as part of a larger organism, like our cells. Viruses are non-living infectious particles, much smaller than a cell, and need a living host to reproduce. The genetic material of the cell is DNA, a double stranded helix. A virus's genetic material is either DNA or RNA.

True or False:

Viruses can be treated with antibiotics.

• False

• True

Answer explanation

Viruses can not be killed. They are non-living.

Anti means against. Bio(tic) means life.

Therefore ANTI + BIOtic = against life.

Viruses are prokaryotes?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Viruses are non living. A prokaryote is a cell without a nucleus.

Watch the clip to answer the questions that follow.

TRUE OR FALSE:

Virus structure includes biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids.

• True

• False

TRUE or FALSE:

There is a cure for viruses.

• False. There are only therapeutic remedies available for viruses.

• True. They can be killed with antibiotics.

Viruses only target animals (including humans).

• False. Anything alive can be infected because viruses have the machinery needed to replicate or make copies of itself.

• False because viruses are alive.

• False because viruses are animals and animals need other animals to survive.

• False because viruses are bacteria and bacteria don't target humans.