Mmuae Afoforo a Wobɛpaw:
release
uncovering
assembly
attachment
copying of viral genome (RNA)
copying of viral proteins
entry
remember no copy and pasting!
What is a virus? (hint; structure and function)
In general, how does a vaccine work to protect against a viral infection?
Write a summary of what you have learned about the SARS-CoV-2 virus... where did it come from? How does it infect people? What tissues/organs does it infect? How does it make people sick/cause their death?
What does a virus use to attach to a cell that it is going to infect?
The genome of a virus is made of
Every virus has a rigid shell made of proteins called a ___________ that holds the genetic material and in some viruses, some enzymes.
Why do viruses change over time?
Put the steps/stages of a typical viral life cycle in order
uncovering/release - viral capsid breaks apart & DNA or RNA and enzymes are released into cell
assembly - viral DNA or RNA and viral proteins come together to make more virus particles
release - new viruses "bud" from cell membrane or the cell bursts to release viruses
entry/penetration of virus into host cell
production/copying - viral DNA or RNA hijacks cell machinery to make more copies of the viral DNA or RNA and viral proteins
attachment of virus to host cell
What does herd immunity allow for?
Why is immunizing a certain percentage of a population important for herd immunity?
What happens if the percentage of immune individuals in a population drops below the herd immunity threshold?
Extra Credit - What is special about the COVID-19 vaccines? How are they different than all previous vaccines? How do they work?