Biology SL
Biology SL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & Diversity
Theme A - Unity & Diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme A - Unity & Diversity
Biology SL
Biology SL

Theme A - Unity & Diversity

Exploring Virus Structures A Diverse Universe

Word Count Emoji
434 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Diversity of genetic material

DNA or RNA, Make Up Your Mind!

  • DNA or RNA? Viruses can have genetic material made of either DNA or RNA. Think of it like choosing between chocolate or vanilla ice cream; each virus picks its flavor!
  • Single or Double-Stranded? This genetic material could be single or double-stranded, kind of like your shoelaces. Some like it twisted, some like it not!
  • Length and Shape: Some viral genes are like a circle, while others are like a straight road. Just like roads and circles, they have different ways to get around!
  • Replication Time: When it comes to making proteins, viruses have their own cooking recipes. Check these out:
    • Positive-Sense RNA Viruses: Straight to the action, like reading the instructions directly from a cookbook.
    • Negative-Sense RNA Viruses: They need to write the recipe down before cooking.
    • Retroviruses: They take a photocopy of the recipe, flip it, and then start cooking!

Enveloped & non-enveloped viruses

  • Dressed and Undressed Viruses

    • Enveloped Viruses: Some viruses wear a coat when leaving the host cell. This "coat" or membrane helps them connect with other cells. It's like having a smart jacket that not only looks good but helps you make friends!

      • This coat is made from bits of the host's own cell membrane (phospholipids) and proteins (mainly glycoproteins) from the virus itself.

      • Real-World Example: Influenza (flu) viruses are enveloped and use this fancy coat to infect our bodies.

    • Non-Enveloped Viruses: Other viruses don't bother dressing up. These are the laid-back viruses that infect mostly bacteria and plants.

      • Real-World Example: Many cold-causing viruses like rhinoviruses don't wear any membrane coat.

  • Leaving the Host – Lysis

    • Whether they're enveloped or not, viruses leave their host cell by bursting it open in a process called lysis. Imagine a party popper exploding, but it's a cell, and the confetti is the virus spreading!

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IB Resources
Theme A - Unity & Diversity
Biology SL
Biology SL

Theme A - Unity & Diversity

Exploring Virus Structures A Diverse Universe

Word Count Emoji
434 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Diversity of genetic material

DNA or RNA, Make Up Your Mind!

  • DNA or RNA? Viruses can have genetic material made of either DNA or RNA. Think of it like choosing between chocolate or vanilla ice cream; each virus picks its flavor!
  • Single or Double-Stranded? This genetic material could be single or double-stranded, kind of like your shoelaces. Some like it twisted, some like it not!
  • Length and Shape: Some viral genes are like a circle, while others are like a straight road. Just like roads and circles, they have different ways to get around!
  • Replication Time: When it comes to making proteins, viruses have their own cooking recipes. Check these out:
    • Positive-Sense RNA Viruses: Straight to the action, like reading the instructions directly from a cookbook.
    • Negative-Sense RNA Viruses: They need to write the recipe down before cooking.
    • Retroviruses: They take a photocopy of the recipe, flip it, and then start cooking!

Enveloped & non-enveloped viruses

  • Dressed and Undressed Viruses

    • Enveloped Viruses: Some viruses wear a coat when leaving the host cell. This "coat" or membrane helps them connect with other cells. It's like having a smart jacket that not only looks good but helps you make friends!

      • This coat is made from bits of the host's own cell membrane (phospholipids) and proteins (mainly glycoproteins) from the virus itself.

      • Real-World Example: Influenza (flu) viruses are enveloped and use this fancy coat to infect our bodies.

    • Non-Enveloped Viruses: Other viruses don't bother dressing up. These are the laid-back viruses that infect mostly bacteria and plants.

      • Real-World Example: Many cold-causing viruses like rhinoviruses don't wear any membrane coat.

  • Leaving the Host – Lysis

    • Whether they're enveloped or not, viruses leave their host cell by bursting it open in a process called lysis. Imagine a party popper exploding, but it's a cell, and the confetti is the virus spreading!

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟