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Name: _____________________________
SCIENCE – Classification
CL-9
March 31/April 1, 2008
Section #/color: ___ / ___________
Science – Classification
Can a virus be classified as a living thing?
VIRUS NOTES – Mrs. P’s version
1. WHAT IS A VIRUS AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
 A structure containing DNA or RNA (genetic material) that is coated with a
protein layer.
 Comes in many shapes.
 Genetic material tells virus what to do.
 Tails help virus to attach to host cell so that
it can attack and invade cell.
2. WHAT ARE THE KINDS OF VIRUSES OUT THERE?
 Ebola
 Chicken Pox
 Avian Flu
 SARS
 HIV
 Flu
 Cold
 Herpes
 Polio
 Mumps
 Measles
 Rubella
 Etc…
3. REASONS TO SUPPORT THAT A VIRUS IS A LIVING
 Contains genetic material.
 Can evolve/adapt…viruses can mutate/change their genetic material in
response to vaccinations, etc.
 Reproduce by injecting genetic material into host cell.
 “Grows” inside host cell after virus injects genetic material and makes more of
itself.
 Host cell needs energy/metabolizes…virus depends upon host cell metabolism
to keep it alive…if the host cell is not metabolizing, it will die and the virus
will not be able to exist; therefore it indirectly eats!
 “Moves” when it injects its genetic material into host cell.
 Needs the “space” and “shelter” of a host cell to survive.
4. WHAT ARE THE REASONS TO SUPPORT THAT A VIRUS IS NOT A LIVING THING?
 Cannot reproduce UNLESS inside a living cell.
 Cannot move by themselves…depends upon the host/carrier cell.
 Does not grow inside protein coat.
 Are NOT cells…no cellular activity occurs inside the virus because it has no
organelles!
 Does not DIRECTLY ingest food, need water, and metabolize.