JH+HW+7.1

Why are viruses not exactly living or nonliving? the reason that viruses are not exactly living or nonliving is because outside a host they are just chemicals but when the time arises they replicate and clearly appear to be alive
 * 7.1 (p.122-124) and Avian Flu p. 125**

Give some examples of diseases caused by viruses. colds,flu, chicken pox, AIDS, rabies

What is the basic structure of a virus? (The two parts and their function) they always have two part: an outer capsid and an inner nucleic acid

Why are viruses like microscopic pirates? Viruses are microscopic pirates, commandeering the metobolic machinery of a host cell

Why are viruses considered parasites? the reason that they are considered a parasite is because they also require a host to live.

Why are viruses considered OBLIGATE parasites? the reason that they are considered obligate parasites is because they dont live on their own.

Why do viruses ALWAYS cause disease? because once they are in a cell they stay there and eventually kill the cell

How do viruses "emerge" and "spread" each year? Give examples. Viruses can emerge by being transported from one place to another that it hasn't been before. ex: SARS, west nile disease

What is a virus vector? Give examples, A virus vector is usually an insect that transmits a virus from an infected individual to a healthy individual

What is the relationship of bird flu to birds? the bird flu was transmitted from birds to humans which is why it is called the bird flu.

How does bird flu infect humans? it jumps the species barrier by people getting to close to some infected birds

What is a pandemic? it is a disease that occurs worldwide

Why is there fear that bird flu could cause a pandemic? because the more time it jumps the species barrier the more of a change there is of being a hybrid virus which is lethal to humans which could allow it to pass between people very easily

What action can we take to prevent a bird flu pandemic? we can try to find a vaccination for the virus