Viral Hijackers
This computer-generated 3D model depicts a type of herpes virus that causes cold sores in humans.
Students learn how viruses invade host cells and hijack their cell-reproduction mechanisms in order to make new viruses, which can in turn attack additional host cells. Students also learn how the immune system responds to viral invasions, eventually defeating the viruses—if all goes well. Finally, they consider the special case of HIV, in which the virus' host cell is a key component of the immune system itself, thereby severely crippling the immune system and ultimately leading to AIDS. Note the recommended order to conduct this lesson/activitiy set: After presenting the lesson's Introduction/Motivation content, conduct the associated activity—a dramatic hands-on simulation that illustrates how quickly a virus can spread through a population, and then challenges students to determine who the initial bearers of the virus were. Then return to the lesson, with students ready to learn more about viruses.
Biomedical engineers and pharmacologists are currently trying to develop a cure for AIDS. An understanding of the mechanisms behind the disease are crucial to develop vaccine. Three-dimensional shapes of viruses are important to their interactions with their host cells.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe what a virus is.
- Give examples of diseases caused by viruses.
- Explain how a virus replicates itself once it attaches to a host cell.
- Describe how the immune system responds to a viral invasion.
- Explain why the HIV virus is unique and not readily eliminated by the immune system.